What are the effects of long term stress?
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| Photo credit: Kevin Ku @ikukevk @unsplash | What are the effects of long term stress? |
What are the effects of long term stress?
@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan | health blog
When stress is prolonged, it's wrecks havoc in the body, negatively affecting multiple systems.
In terms of mental health, long standing stress predisposes an individual to anxiety, depression, headache, insomnia, irritability, and poor concentration.
Long standing stress response means that their is prolong release of stress hormones corticosteroids, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. Consequently, there is sustained rise in blood pressure and glucose levels. These increases a person's risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, and stoke.
Glucocorticoid released during response raises appetite and craving. This, consequently leads to overeating, and obesity.
Prolong stress weakens immunity which makes a person vulnerable to diseases and causes delay wound healing.
In the gastrointestinal system, long terms stress spikes up the release of gastric acid and alter, leading to heartburn and irritable bowel syndrome.
In the muscular system, long standing stress can cause muscle aches and tension.
In the reproductive system, it can cause erectile dysfunction, decrease libido, premature ejaculation, decrease fertility, and interfere menstrual cycle.
At the DNA level, prolong exposure to stressful situations shortens telomeres in chromosomes which is associated with cellular aging.
