Research suggests that stress causes the most negative effects on the body because higher cortisol levels lead to digestive issues PDF

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Research suggests that stress causes the most negative effects on the body because higher cortisol levels lead to digestive issues, stress related disorders such as PTSD and increased anxiety. Various studies have been completed over the years in order to prove the relevance of this hypothesis and have been successful. Whether you have experienced a traumatic situation, or prolonged stress, each conclusion is the same. Due to how the body reacts to hormones secreted such as Cortisol and Adrenaline, there can be a significant strain on the body and mind which lead to the negative effects that stress leaves behind.

Numerous scientific studies throughout the years have confirmed this to be true. In the book What Is PTSD? : 3 Steps to Healing Trauma [ CITATION ABB12 \l 1033 ] the disorder PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder is described as an anxiety disorder that can occur following a traumatic or stressful event. The symptoms of PTSD include nightmares or unwanted memories of the trauma, avoidance of situations that bring back memories of the trauma, heightened reactions, anxiety, or depressed mood.

Along with mental disorders such as anxiety and PTSD, stress can also have negative effects on the body. Individuals with autoimmune disorders such as Chrohn’s disease, and Lupus may experience flare ups due to the rise in cortisol levels in the body while experiencing chronic stress. A study completed in the Journal of the American Medical [ CITATION Son18 \l 1033 ] found that “exposure to a stress-related disorder was significantly associated with increased risk of subsequent autoimmune disease”. It was

also noted that individuals tested in the general population also showed signs of immune disfunction as a reaction to stressful life experiences. In some cases, individuals who showed no previous signs of immune disorders where later diagnosed with immune and/or digestive disorders after experiencing stressful life experiences or chronic stress. This was especially prevalent in individuals diagnosed with PTSD.

Digestive issues are one of the most common disorders reported by individuals tested throughout the years. According to the Handbook of Stress : Causes, Effects and Control [ CITATION Pru09 \l 1033 ], individuals who have experienced extreme or chronic stress may turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as overeating, loss of appetite, eating disorders, and even substance abuse.

The increased adrenaline and cortisol often referred to as the “stress hormone,” can also lead to mental and digestive issues. When the body responds to stress the Cortisol hormone in the body is released, when this occurs it can cause in increase to increase in your heart rate and blood pressure. This response is sometimes called the “fight or flight” response. According to Central effects of stress hormones in health and disease: Understanding the protective and damaging effects of stress and stress mediators in the European Journal of Pharmacology [ CITATION McE08 \l 1033 ], when the human body is constantly in the state of “fight or flight” this can lead to increased cortisol levels in the body causing high blood pressure, fatigue, irritability, headaches, intestinal problems, such as constipation, bloating or diarrhea, anxiety or depression, weight gain, low libido,

erectile dysfunction or problems with regular ovulation or menstrual periods, difficulty recovering from exercise, and poor sleep.

Along with the above-mentioned issues related to stress, a study was completed titled Current studies of Ukrainian researchers of stress impact on chest organs: literature review [ CITATION Vyn13 \l 1033 ]. In this study it was also noted that individuals who dealt with extreme or prolonged stress experienced various negative effects on the body, especially in relation to chest organs such as the heart, lungs and esophagus. The study was completed to see if it could be proved that stress does in fact have a direct negative effect on the body, and the organs studied were the heart, esophagus, and lungs. The article concluded that the there was a direct impact to these chest organs in individuals tested who experienced prolonged stress, or stress in early life.

The negative effects of stress on the body have also been observed by license massage therapist Campanale, Nikki and included in her article titled “The Snowflake Effect, The Accumulation of Stress on the Body”, [ CITATION Cam18 \l 1033 ]. In the article Nikki speaks about the effects of stress on the body she has observed with her massage clients. The article provides examples of patients that have experienced various health issues and afflictions such as chronic headaches, muscle tension, pale skin, loss of appetite, lack of sleep, and dark circles under the eyes.

Throughout the years there have been many studies on stress and its effects on the human body. Most report the same results, stress can impact the body in numerous negative ways and cause short term and long-term issues both psychologically and in the digestive and reproductive system. One of these studies done by Sadeghimahalli F, Karbaschi R, Zardooz H, Khodagholi F, Rostamkhani F, titled Effect of early life stress on pancreatic isolated islets' insulin secretion in young adult male rats subjected to chronic stress. [ CITATION Sad14 \l 1033 ], A study was completed with young male rats that were exposed to stress during their adolescence. The study states that organisms exposed to stress early in life may be predisposed to stress related disorders.

Stress causes the most negative effects on the body because higher cortisol levels lead to digestive issues, stress related disorders such as PTSD and increased anxiety. Multiple studies on both humans and animals alike have conclude that stress has many effects on the body and mind, all of them being negative and potentially detrimental to your health and wellbeing. Taking steps to try and lesson stress within your daily life and avoid traumatic experiences can greatly reduce your chances of developing stress related illnesses and disease.

References A. B. Baranowsky, T. L. (2012). What is PTSD?: Three Steps to Healing Trauma. Toronto: Traumatology Institute. Campanale, N. (2018). The Snowflake Effect: The Accumulation of Stress on the Body. Body Sense , 20(3): 10-11. (2p). McEwen, S. B. (2008). Central effects of stress hormones in health and disease: understanding the protective and damaging effects of stress and stress mediators. European Journal of Pharmacology, 583(2-3): 174–185. Pr4ter, I. H. (2009). Handbook of Stress: Causes, Effects, and Control. New York: Nova Scotia Publishers Inc. Sadeghimahalli F, K. R. (2014). Effect of early life stress on pancreatic isolated islets' insulin secretion in young adult male rats subjected to chronic stress. Endocrine, 493-503. Song, H. F.-C. (2018). Association of Stress-Related Disorders With Subsequent Autoimmune Disease. Journal of the American Medical Association, 319(23): 2388-2400. (13p). Vynnyk NI, K. M. (2013). Current studies of ukrainian researchers of stress impact on chest organs: literature review. MEDLINE Complete, 1114-1117....