Prolonged stress increases the risk of depression, insomnia, and contributes to autoimmune diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular disease according to studies.
According to the US National Institutes of Health, stress is the way the body and brain react to external factors, which can occur once, short-term or repeated over a long period of time. Chronic stress can lead to changes in the body that are harmful and contribute to the development of certain diseases.
Depression
According to a 2021 review by the University of Karachi, Pakistan, based on 37 studies, uncontrolled chronic stress is linked to mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. Persistent stress causes the body to produce certain hormones and chemicals that adversely affect the body’s organs.
A 2007 review by the University of British Columbia, Canada, based on multiple studies, also found that people who experience major stressful events can develop depression over time.
Insomnia
A 2013 American Psychological Association survey of nearly 2,000 adults confirmed a link between stress and insomnia. Specifically, 43% of people surveyed said stress causes them to lose sleep at least once a month, 21% of people feel more stressed when they don’t sleep well, and 45% feel more stressed when they don’t get enough sleep.
Infectious Diseases
Stress weakens immune function, making the body more susceptible to infectious diseases like colds. According to a 2005 study by Carnegie Mellon University, USA, 420 volunteers were exposed to a cold virus, then quarantined to see if they got sick or not. The results showed that people with stress and unstable moods were more likely to contract the virus after exposure.
Heart-related diseaes
A 2021 study by the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, on more than 118,000 people, found that prolonged stress increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
According to a 2015 study by Xinxiang Medical University, China and several units, part of the stress response is a faster heart rate and blood vessel constriction or vasodilation. If stressed for a long time, the heart and cardiovascular system can be damaged.
A 2006 meta-analysis from the University of Helsinki, Finland, based on 14 studies, including more than 83,000 people, found a 50% increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with high levels of work stress.
Gastrointestinal disease
A 2011 study by Jagiellonian Medical University, Poland, and a number of units, showed that stress can affect intestinal motility (the process by which food moves through the digestive tract). This increases the risk of irritable bowel syndrome, enteritis, gastroesophageal reflux, constipation, and diarrhea. All of these diseases can be affected by stress.
Chronic pain
Tight muscles can cause, trigger or worsen certain chronic pain conditions such as migraines and lower back pain. A 2021 study by Soonchunhyang University, South Korea, on 10,000 people, showed a strong relationship between stress levels and chronic back pain. It is the muscle tension caused by stress that contributes to this painful feeling.
According to a 2017 review by Yale University, USA, based on 133 studies, prolonged stress and chronic pain are related because both cause similar reactions in the brain, especially in the brain. hippocampus and amygdala.
Cancer
Stress also plays a role in the onset of cancer, contributing to some types of melanoma. This is because it can trigger an inflammatory response in the brain and body, stimulate the adrenal glands to secrete the stress hormone glucocorticoid, among other effects.
A 2017 study by the Second Military Medical University, China, showed that there are too many types of inflammation caused by chronic stress in the body, increasing the likelihood of cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Autoimmune disease
A 2018 study by the Karolinska Institute, Sweden, of nearly 1.3 million people, found that patients with stress disorders were more likely to have autoimmune disorders than people without stress disorders.
Autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, and lupus are also made worse by stress.