Stress!!!! How does it affect me?

Have you ever wondered what stress actually manifests itself to be? What the side affects of high stress might be?

Everyone has situations in their life that causes stress. It may be work, kids, family, friends, or just lack of time. But how do our bodies react to these stressors.

When your body encounters stress over extended periods of time it causes your body to release increased amounts of; Cortisol, Growth Hormone, and Norepinephrine. Inorder to understand what long term effects of stress are we need to know what the long term effects of these increased levels are.

Cortisol: Is a hormone that is secreted by our adrenal glands. Evidence is showing that increased levels of cortsol counteracts the effectiveness of insulin, which result in hyperglycemia, increases stomach acid production, increased water retention, decreased immune function, decreased bone formation which increases the likelyhood of developing osteoprorsis, and finally if levels remain excessively high for to long of a time period damage to the hippocampus in your brain is possible causing a decrease in your ability to learn.

When cortisol, growth hormone, and norepinephrine are increased over long peroids of time there is evidence suggesting that different medical conditions may occur including Metabolic sydrome, Depression, Hypertension, and ADHD.

Does it seem like these conditions seem to be on the rise in our country? Maybe its time for people to make a change in thier lifestyles so that we will have less stress and be better able to coupe with the stresses that we do have.

Best of wishes to everyone on living a healthier and happier life.

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