We all experience some level of stress at different points in our life. It’s unavoidable. For some people, the feeling is mild and fleeting. For others, the aftermath of trauma, emergency, grief, or other trigger can turn into chronic stress. It’s essential to understand how ongoing stress can negatively impact the body and permanently alter a person’s state of being.
The Dangerous Effects of Chronic Stress
Everyone has a stress response. They may not react to the same things the same way, but when the stress occurs for whatever reason, it disrupts multiple bodily systems. The risk of both physical and mental health problems increases with the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. A state of chronic stress means the body’s stress responses remain continuously active, which prevents the body from returning to a balanced state.
Physical Symptoms of Chronic Stress
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure. Elevated levels in the cardiovascular system contribute to a greater risk of heart disease, stroke, and plaque formation.
- Muscle tension. Headaches, back pain, arthritis, and musculoskeletal disorders can lead to pain and poor mobility.
- Interrupted digestion. Gut problems like indigestion, appetite changes, acid reflux, and weight gain or loss are common digestive system problems caused by stress.
- Immune system problems. The long-term presence of high cortisol levels suppresses immune function, making a person more susceptible to infection and chronic disease.
- Poor sleep. Rest is essential to maintaining good health but stress hormones interfere with sleep, leading to fatigue, lack of energy, and poor cognitive performance.
Mental Health Complications Caused by Stress
Whenever stress takes hold of you, there is no denying that you feel it both mind and body. The mental effects of chronic stress have the power to transform the structure and function of a person’s brain. Memory and emotions are particularly impacted, which can result in problems such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mood shifts
- Poor concentration
- Irritability
If stress is prolonged and untreated, psychiatric disorders are more likely. Sometimes people develop a condition known as acute stress disorder within a month after a traumatic event, which is a precursor to PTSD if left untreated.
The Necessity of Managing Chronic Stress
A person’s lifestyle can be easily impacted by stress, leading to missed days of work or school, withdrawing from social activities, and relying on unhealthy coping behaviors like overeating or alcohol and drug use. Ultimately, stress of any kind takes its toll on the human body, accelerating aging and making the development of chronic disease more likely or exacerbating the symptoms of existing conditions.
By working with me, Dr. Jon Swetech, and my medical team at Swetech Medical Center, we can help you learn and adopt techniques for relaxation, proper nutrition, manageable physical activity, and social support, while guiding you to a better state of being that is not owned and operated by stress. Make an appointment at my practice today – don’t go through another day with an acute level of stress. Allow us to help you feel better and stronger.
Nothing in this blog is official medical advice. See your doctor for customized care.
