How stress affects your body - Sharon Horesh Bergquist

Summary

This script explores how stress, a natural response to challenges, can harm the body when chronic. It discusses the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which can lead to hypertension, atherosclerosis, and heart issues. Stress also impacts digestion, immune function, and can even affect weight and mental health, emphasizing the importance of managing stress for overall well-being.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Stress is a physical response that affects the entire body, not just an emotion.
• 🏃‍♂️ Short-term stress can be beneficial, but chronic activation can damage organs and cells.
• 🚨 The fight or flight response releases hormones like cortisol and epinephrine, impacting heart and blood pressure.
• 🩸 High cortisol levels can contribute to atherosclerosis and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.
• 🧠 Stress activates the autonomic nervous system, affecting the brain-gut connection and digestive health.
• 🍽️ Chronic stress can alter gut bacteria composition and function, impacting overall health.
• 🍰 Cortisol can increase appetite and lead to cravings for energy-dense foods, contributing to weight gain.
• 💊 Visceral fat, associated with stress, is linked to the release of hormones that increase the risk of chronic diseases.
• 🛡️ Stress hormones initially boost immune function but can suppress it over time, making one more prone to infections.
• 🧬 Chronic stress is associated with shortened telomeres, which can impact cell aging and lifespan.
• 🤯 Stress can lead to a range of health issues including acne, hair loss, sexual dysfunction, headaches, and irritability.
• 💪 How you perceive and respond to stress is crucial for both short-term performance and long-term health.

Q & A

What is stress and how does it affect the body?

Stress is a feeling experienced when challenged or overwhelmed, and it is also a physical response that affects the entire body. It can be advantageous in the short term but can damage organs and cells when activated too often or for too long.

What are the stress hormones released by the adrenal gland?

The adrenal gland releases cortisol, epinephrine (also known as adrenaline), and norepinephrine. These hormones travel through the bloodstream and can affect various parts of the body.

How does adrenaline affect the heart and blood pressure?

Adrenaline causes the heart to beat faster and raises blood pressure, potentially leading to hypertension over time.

What is the role of cortisol in the development of atherosclerosis?

Cortisol can cause the endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels, to not function normally, which is an early step in triggering the process of atherosclerosis, or cholesterol plaque build-up in arteries.

How does stress affect the brain and the autonomic nervous system?

When the brain senses stress, it activates the autonomic nervous system, which communicates stress to the enteric, or intestinal, nervous system, potentially causing issues like irritable bowel syndrome and heartburn.

Can chronic stress affect a person's waistline?

Yes, chronic stress can affect the waistline. Cortisol can increase appetite and cause cravings for energy-dense foods and carbs, leading to weight gain, especially as visceral or deep belly fat.

What are the potential health risks associated with visceral fat?

Visceral fat is an organ that releases hormones and immune system chemicals called cytokines, which can increase the risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease and insulin resistance.

How do stress hormones affect the immune system?

Stress hormones initially help prepare the body to fight invaders and heal after injury, but chronic stress can dampen the function of some immune cells, making a person more susceptible to infections and slowing the rate of healing.

Is there a connection between chronic stress and lifespan?

Chronic stress has been associated with shortened telomeres, which measure a cell's age. When telomeres become too short, a cell can no longer divide and dies, potentially affecting lifespan.

What are some additional health issues that chronic stress can cause?

Chronic stress can lead to acne, hair loss, sexual dysfunction, headaches, muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, and irritability.

How can one manage stress to improve both short-term performance and long-term health?

Viewing stressful situations as challenges that can be controlled and mastered, rather than as insurmountable threats, can help improve performance in the short run and maintain health in the long run.