Chronic Stress

1.  If the stress response continues or is repeated often enough, the body is not able to expend the energy it creates by taking physical action. The stress hormones, therefore, remain circulating in the system and the body continues to be alarmed.

2.  Under these conditions, the RAS may adapt to frequent stress stimulation by staying stimulated.

3.  After repeated and ongoing activation of the stress response, natural energy stores of glucose, fatty acids and amino acids (protein) become depleted.

4.  Without adequate protein supplies, the immune’s ability to produce white blood cells and virus fighting anti-bodies is impaired, leaving the body susceptible to disease.

5.  If fatty acids continue to be released into the bloodstream as part of the stress response, they promote the formation of plaque in the arteries that leads to atherosclerosis (blocking of the arteries).

6.  If salt retention continues as part of the stress response, the resulting increase in blood pressure jeopardizes the cardio-vascular system.

7.  If the above biological responses continue, the body attempts to adapt with a mechanism known as the general adaptation syndrome (GAS) or the biological stress syndrome. The GAS induces three stages: alarm, resistance and exhaustion. This adaptation is the reason disease may develop in response to stress.

8.  During the alarm stage, all body systems are affected; however, no specific organ is affected more than any other.

9.  During the resistance stage, the body attempts to protect itself from the life-threatening effects of repeated stress arousal by channelling the arousal response from the CNS and cardiovascular system into less critical systems such as the gastrointestinal and muscular systems. In this stage, the body may learn to channel all stress around a system, which may cause it to eventually wear down and become dysfunctional or diseased.

10.  Diseases of adaptation that may occur in the resistance and exhaustion stages involve the muscles, the skin, the brain and the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and immune systems. Continued stimulation of the muscles or a set of muscles can lead to headaches, backaches, muscle pulls and tears, spastic oesophagus, spastic colon, asthma, difficulty swallowing, tightness in the chest, vision problems and arthritis. Stomach functions may also be disrupted, causing ulcers and other digestive problems. Intestinal functions, too, can be affected causing diarrhoea or constipation.

11.  Once a system begins to break down, the body is in the exhaustion (burnout?) phase. It looks for another system to take over. As other systems become involved and break down, the critical body functions become diminished and more life-threatening illnesses may occur, which eventually may lead to death.

12.  Stress arousal causes increased activity in the brain, which creates beta waves, making the individual more susceptible to the effects of stress arousal. Repeated stress arousal can also disrupt the function and activity of the skin, resulting in eczema, psoriasis, hives and acne. In addition, it can cause a chronic increase in heart rate, high blood pressure and atherosclerosis that can lead to heart attack. Migraines are also a form of vascular irregularity. The immune system’s response to stress includes disruption in the activity and production of disease-fighting immune cells. Diseases of the immune system include cancer, AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis and chronic respiratory conditions.