fit tips
effects of
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
on the human
body and
how to cope
with it
by Rahul Gupta
MUSCLE TENSION
Muscle tension guards our
body against stress and injury.
Chronic stress causes the
muscles in the body to be in
constant state of tension. When
muscles are tense for long
periods of time, it can trigger
stress-related disorders, such
as migraines associated with
chronic muscle tension in the
area of the neck and shoulders.
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Even though stress
is a normal part of
life, unless we can
manage our stress
levels “effectively,” they
can seriously affect
our health and family
life. More than half of
Americans say they
get into altercations
with friends and family
because of stress, and
more than 70% say
they experience stressinduced physical and
emotional symptoms.
40% of U.S. workers
admit to office stress,
and 25% say work is the
biggest source of stress
in their lives.
14
Work stress can be due to one
or many of these reasons:
▶ Job dissatisfaction
compounded with
heavy workload
▶ Poor management,
unclear expectations,
and/or no say in
decision-making
▶ Insecure about promotion
or risk of termination
▶ Facing discrimination
or harassment
Life stresses such as those
below can also contribute
to stress levels:
▶ Divorce
▶ Financial obligations
▶ Relocation
▶ Chronic illness or injury
▶ Taking care of an elderly or
sick family member
▶ Traumatic event
References
http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/stress-body.aspx
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/
in-depth/stress-symptoms/art-20050987 http://www.healthline.com/
health/stress/effects-on-body
http://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/causes-of-stress
Stress makes us breathe harder.
Therefore, getting the oxygen to
the lungs can be difficult for those
with asthma or a lung disease.
Stress-induced rapid breathing
(hyperventilation) can cause
panic attacks, and acute stress
can also trigger asthma attacks.
HEART HEALTH
The heart and blood vessels
function jointly to provide
nourishment and oxygen to
the organs and coordinate the
body’s response to stress. Acute
stress increases the heart rate
leading to stronger contractions
of the heart muscle. Adrenaline,
noradrenaline, and cortisol,
the stress hormones, act as
messengers for these effects.
The blood vessels that direct
blood to large muscles and the
heart dilate, which increases
the amount of blood pumped
to these parts of the body (fight
or flight response) and causes
blood pressure to rise. High levels
of noradrenaline can induce
nervousness, racing thoughts,
cold hands and feet, and high
blood pressure.
.
When the body is under stress,
the hypothalamus signals the
autonomic nervous system
(ANS) and the pituitary gland,
leading the adrenal cortex to
produce cortisol and the adrenal
medulla to produce epinephrine.
Once cortisol and epinephrine
are released, the liver produces
more glucose, a blood sugar that
provides the energy for “fight or
flight” in an emergency. For a
healthy person, the body is able
to reabsorb the blood sugar. But
for those vulnerable to Type 2
diabetes, the extra blood sugar
can lead to the development of
the disease.
GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM
Esophagus
Under stress, we tend to eat
either much more or much less
than we normally do. This can
lead to heartburn or acid reflux.
Stomach
Under stress, our brain becomes
more alert to stomach
sensations. Our stomach can
react with “butterflies” or even
nausea or pain. This can lead
to vomiting when the stress is
severe. Under chronic stress,
one can develop ulcers or
experience severe stomach pain
even without ulcers.
Bowel
Stress can affect digestion and
absorption of nutrients by our
intestines. It can also affect the
pace of the movement of food
through our body. This can lead
to diarrhea or constipation.
NERVOUS SYSTEM
The central division involves the
brain and spinal cord, and the
peripheral division consists of the
autonomic and somatic nervous
systems. The Autonomic Nervous
System (ANS) plays a direct
role in our physical response to
stress. The ANS is divided into
the Sympathetic Nervous System
(SNS), and the Parasympathetic
Nervous System (PNS).
Under stress, the SNS generates
the “fight or flight” response. The
SNS signals the adrenal glands to
release stress hormones. These
hormones cause the heart to beat
faster, respiration rate to increase,
blood vessels to dilate, digestive
process to change, and glucose
levels to increase to deal with the
emergency. Chronic stress results
in long-term damage on the body.