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Stress is probably one of the most commonly used words in today's society but stress is not new to the human condition. It has always been present, but is now more prevalent as the pressure and demands of the twentieth century take their toll. The word 'stress' is derived from the Latin word stringere which means 'to draw tight'. The modern word 'uptight' accurately describes the response to stress.
The stress reaction is a primitive response to a threatening or dangerous situation, and has been of essential importance in ensuring the continued survival of the human species. Man is the product of thousands of years of evolution. His survival has depended on quick physical responses to dangers and the stress reaction is commonly referred to as the 'fight-or-flight' reaction.
In primitive times this burst of energy was utilized in physical activity such as life-or-death struggle or a quick dash to safety. Today these responses are largely unacceptable. To attack the boss or a shop assistant for causing you stress would invariably result in legal repercussions, while fleeing from a tense meeting would be perceived as a mental aberration.
Until recently it was believed that all stress was a result of external forces exerting pressure on an individual. This does not explain why, when confronted by similar situations, one person will react calmly while another may be completely devastated. More recent theories emphasize that the stress response depends on the interaction between a person and his or her environment. The intensity of the stress experience is determined by how a person feels he or she can cope with an identified threat.
The hormonal and chemical defense mechanisms that evolved over the centuries as a means of protection have been retained, but today they have little outlet. The inability to express any physical response to a stressful situation means that our natural instincts are suppressed, which can cause dire harm.
What exactly are the physiological effects of stress? When confronted by a situation we perceive as threatening, our thoughts regarding ourselves and the situation trigger two branches of the central nervous system - the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.
The sympathetic nervous system initiates involuntary responses designed to activate all the major systems of the body. The first response is a flood of hormone secretions. The hypothalamus, when recognizing a danger, triggers the pituitary gland which releases hormones which cause the adrenal glands to intensify the output of adrenaline and noradrenaline into the bloodstream. These two hormones mimic the actions of nervous stimulation in a number of organs in the body. Although any number of factors can trigger the adrenocortical stress reaction, the response itself is always the same. It involves the release from the adrenal glands of specific hormones, mainly the corticosteriods, which in turn mobilize the body against invading germs or foreign proteins and enhance one's level of arousal. The stress response always activates the immune system.
The stress chemicals induce physiological changes designed to improve performance. Blood supply to the brain is increased, initially improving judgement and decision making. The heart speeds up and fuel is released into the bloodstream from glucose, fats or stored blood sugar to provide additional energy. More blood is sent to the muscles to allow for instant action. Breathing rate and function improve as air passages relax. A sense of stimulation is produced and blood pressure rises. Because digestion and excretion are not considered high priorities in a 'dangerous' situation, adrenaline causes vascular constriction which reduces the flow of blood to the stomach and intestine. Blood vessels dilate in some areas and constrict in others; for example, blood is drained from the skin to make it available for use in other areas like the muscles.
When the body prepares for 'fight-or-flight', it is ready for a short burst of heightened activity. In modern society numerous factors can trigger this response, but few can be dealt with by a short burst of activity. Often stress situations are continuous so stress responses are semi-permanently on red-alert, but physical release is usually unacceptable, so this is all suppressed - a situation which cannot be maintained for too long. The stress build-up eventually explodes internally, knocks the body systems out of balance and causes extreme physical and mental exhaustion.
The role of the parasympathetic nervous system is to relax the body after a stressful encounter. However, if a person is subject to continuous stress, it becomes more difficult to activate the parasympathetic reaction. If the stress situation continues unabated, the body weakens and becomes more susceptible to a variety of diseases.
Long-term adrenal stimulation with no discharge of energy will deplete essential minerals and vitamins from the system, for example functioning of the immune system. This will result in lowered resistance and increased susceptibility to diseases directly related to the immune system like AIDS and ME. Long-term adrenal accumulation can also affect blood pressure and cause a build-up of fatty substances on blood vessel walls, as well as damaging the functioning of the digestive system.
When an organism must face a continual or repeated stress, the response system enters the chronic phase, during which resistance declines below normal and eventually becomes exhausted. Several diseases result directly from this stage, but the most important effect is a decrease in the body's ability to fight infection and cancer.
Everyone is confronted daily with potentially stressful situations. One's vulnerability to stress can be influenced by life events which cause undue emotional strain. Emotional distress is one resistance-lowering factor. Another important factor, according to some health professionals, is the impact of major life changes. Virtually all illness is preceded by a constellation of significant events in our lives. Future health or disease can be forecast by evaluating these events. The greater the number of life changes, the more serious the oncoming illness.
Enormous changes have been inflicted on and instigated by man in the last four decades in Western society. The rapid technological and social changes is exerting extreme pressure on humanity. To quote Alvin Toffler in Future Shock: 'There are discoverable limits to the amount of change that the human organism can absorb . . . by endlessly accelerating these limits, we may submit masses of men to demands they simply cannot tolerate'. Life changes are a determining factor in stress-related illnesses. But the extent to which the events lead to ill health will depend to a large degree on a person's capacity to cope with stress. The way an individual perceives a situation dramatically affects the stress response experienced. It is not so much the actual ability to cope with a situation that matters as the individual's perception of his ability to cope.
It is believed that up to 80 percent of modern diseases have a stress-related background. These include hypertension, high blood pressure, coronary thrombosis, heart attack, migraine, hay fever and allergies, asthma, peptic ulcers, constipation, colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, menstrual difficulties, nervous dyspepsia, flatulence and indigestion, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland), diabetes mellitus, skin disorders, tuberculosis and depression.
We may not be able to alter the stress situations in life but we can alter how we cope. Natural healing techniques, relaxation techniques, meditation, diet and exercise can all help control or decrease the stress responses and thereby lessen one's susceptibility to stress-related diseases.
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