Six Catastrophic Effects of Stress on Your Health
The consequences of stress can then be disastrous and the reason is simple: when our nervous system feels in danger, our brain is stimulated. It then produces adrenaline, while at the same time straining our adrenal glands. To deal with stress, these will also produce adrenaline, along with a hormone called cortisol, which is harmful to many of our organs.
Cardiovascular disease
Under stress, our heart beats faster, and our blood pressure rises to activate our blood circulation, which then supplies our muscles with oxygen for energy.
The blood vessels are reduced, and the arteries, hardened. Also, to ward off possible injury, the blood will thicken, which can lead to heart disease and stroke as a result of stress.
Skin problems
The consequences of stress also affect our superficial blood vessels, since these will prefer to direct blood to the muscles rather than to the skin. Our skin will then be less well-nourished and will tend to redden, or on the contrary pale, as well as to age prematurely.
Skin diseases and inflammation can therefore result from the consequences of stress, such as psoriasis or hives. Acne, on the other hand, will be caused by an excess of sebum due to a large production of cortisol.
Weakened immune system
In normal times, our body has the necessary resources to counter the viruses and attacks that threaten us on a daily basis. Except, of course, if he’s too busy fighting an immediate threat, a message conveyed by the consequences of stress.
We are therefore more vulnerable to new infections, in addition to awakening existing ones, while worsening their symptoms and disturbing their healing. What’s more, a little-known fact, a weakened immune system could even cause new allergies to develop.
Digestive problems
We observe the same process in our digestive system when faced with the consequences of stress. Too busy with countering the danger transmitted by stress, slows down and disrupts bowel activity, and no longer properly assimilates food.
The result: bloating, heartburn, acid reflux, peptic ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome, and, of course, constipation, diarrhea, and indigestion. In short, it’s not for nothing that stress hurts your stomach!
Memory loss
The hippocampus plays an essential role in the memorization process. So when cortisol rushes to destroy the nerve cells in this area of our brain, all of our cognitive functions are affected as a result of stress.
This explains why our focus and lack of judgment also fail us when we are on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
Lack of libido
Let’s face it: after a tough day, we don’t feel the most attractive. So when stress kicks in and hits our precious hypothalamus, another part of the brain, our production of sex hormones is also slowed down.
