subject: Physical Effects Of Stress [print this page] Physical Effects Of Stress Physical Effects Of Stress
Stress is bad. That is something we all know. And we also know that stress has become synonymous to life in this fast-paced world. This unfortunate acceptance of stress in human life is not only sad, but depressing for reasons more than one. Stress arises everywhere and chases people in all directions. You may have a naughty kid at home or an unwell one; a bad boss at your workplace; a bad marriage or just too much work to be happy. Reasons can be plenty, but the result is onestress. The more we are advancing in our lives, the more we seem to be losing our will to fight against it. But all is still not lost. One look at the evils arising out of stress and tension can make the most easy-going person stop and think twice about the kind of life he/she is leading and the direction his/her body is heading to. Some of the physical effects of stress are mentioned below to wake you up from your slumber and take relevant action.
Effects Of Stress On Body
There is no second thought to the fact that stress affects the body negatively. It is associated with everything, ranging from premature graying of hair to untimely and sudden death due to heart attacks. But to understand just what exactly is the impact of stress to the overall health of an individual, one needs to understand the role that it plays in disrupting an individual's natural processes in a human body.
Nervous System
The nervous system, as the name suggests, refers to the network of various nerves that control our body. Since this network is governed by the brain, the evil impact of stress on this network or system in effect impacts the natural functioning of the brain, making nervous breakdown the most common consequence. Stress causes the following to the nervous system:
Anxiety
Irritability
Depression
Tension
Respiratory System
Stress leads to anxiety and anxiety leads to panic attacks. This condition, when uncured and continued for a long time, can make dangerous alterations in the respiratory system of an individual. Stress leads to clogging of respiratory tubes and hence causes the occurrence of the following:
Changes in breathing patterns
Risk of asthmatic problems
Rapid or shallow breathing
Cardiovascular System
The cardiovascular system is worst hit by stress and tension alike. Stress is a primary cause of insomnia, which in itself is a house bustling with diseases. Insomnia leads to major discomfort of the body and this discomfort combined with the irregular breathing patters of the individual leads to a sudden increase in the heart beat of the subject. This phenomenon leads to the following cardiovascular troubles:
Increased risk of stroke and heart attacks
Decreased blood circulation
High blood pressure
Rapid heartbeat
Coronary artery disease
Problems with blood clotting, and hardening of the arteries
Reproductive System
When the body is not relaxed, the reproductive system malfunctions and creates further problems. This malfunctioning causes the following:
Less sexual desire
More difficulties to get pregnant
Pre-menstrual symptoms
Gastrointestinal System
Since the whole body is uneasy, the digestive system releases hormones and enzymes which are not in tandem with the regular functioning of the body, thereby causing the following:
Stomach cramping
Stomach bloating
Constipation
Irritable bowel syndrome
Diarrhea
Ulcers
Others
Some other problems which are incidental to stress are as:
