“Stress” is a more common word nowadays, from getting late to the office to what to prepare for dinner, how to maintain deadlines and taking out time for Chintu’s vacation. But of course, all these things give us stress, isn’t it?
Hypothalamus in the brain is remote control of the brain. That controls all activities. The hypothalamus sends a signal and releases stress hormones when a situation arises. This results in the heart’s fast pumping and increases blood circulation to all the organs.
This flight of action is designed by our body to act in emergencies. However, frequent stress can raise heart pumping, and in the long term, it can increase the risk to the body.
How can stress affect the different systems of our body?
Cardiovascular System
During stress, your heart pumps faster than usual and increases the blood flow to other organs, which results in the rapid contraction and relaxation of the arteries and blood vessels.
Increased heart pumping means the heart needs to work hard. And frequent pressure on the heart makes your heart weaker and leads to heart diseases.
Respiratory System
During stress, you breathe fast to provide oxygenated blood throughout the body, as your heart pumps quickly. If you have any lung diseases, it is challenging to breathe fast.
Digestive System
Due to increased breathing and heart rate, your digestive system also gets affected, and you may experience acidity and heart-burning.
Also, during stress, the liver produces more blood sugar to boost your energy. Repetition of this process increases your blood sugar and leads to Type 2 Diabetes.
Central Nervous System
CNS or central nervous system and in charge of all your activities. Hypothalamus in the brain increases the production of adrenaline and cortisol, also known as the stress hormones.
These hormones are responsible for rapid heartbeats and breathing. As the stress reduces, it comes to a normal level. But persistent tension is equal to the ongoing response from the hypothalamus.
Which can lead to depression, alcohol addiction, and less socialisation.
Muscular system
Your muscles tense up during stress to protect themselves from any injury, and as the tension goes away your muscles start relaxing. But during chronic tension muscles do not get time to relax.
Which can cause headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and maybe body pain too! And head up to an unhealthy lifestyle.
Reproductive System
Stress affects the menstrual cycle in women. Can cause irregular or painful menses.
In men, it can affect testosterone secretion, which may cause erectile dysfunction or reduce sperm counts.
Immune System
Stress stimulates your immune system and helps to avoid infection, which is helpful for your body.
But in the longer run, it may weaken your immune system, and you may be likely to have frequent infections, or the healing process may work slowly.
Conclusion
A little bit of stress sometimes is always fine. But when this becomes chronic, it affects your body differently, and you are more prone to get various health issues.
Try to control your stressor.
Will come up with “how to control your stress” in next week’s blog. Don’t forget to read that too!
If you have any queries about the tension, comment below or reach out to me at http://www.instagram.com/mansisword/
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