Are you feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and have low zest for life? You might be stressed.

What Is Stress?

Causes of stress can be divided into psychological stress and physical stress. There is usually a combination of psychological, lifestyle, and/or physical conditions that may lead to feeling stressed.

Stress reduction is one of the four pillars of health according to the integrative medicine/functional medicine perspective. The other three being diet, exercise, and sleep.

Perhaps the best description of psychological stress is any change to which we have difficulty adapting. There seem to be two factors necessary for any change to be perceived as stressful by humans. The first factor is for the change to be perceived as dangerous or painful, and the second is when the stressed person feels unable to cope with this change. There is, therefore, a difference between stress-response, which is a natural and necessary response to danger or pain, and the negative feeling of stress. Appropriate stress response is not only necessary but can be healthy for us, and does not lead to feelings of stress. Appropriate, challenging stress-response can even improve our memory or mood.

The most common general causes of psychological stress that we all humans share are related to significant changes in our lives and the fears and anxieties associated with such changes. The primary and most obvious changes and their associated fears include fear of pain, loss, loneliness, illness, aging, death, etc.

Not all the symptoms of stress are caused by psychological stress, however.  Poor lifestyle choices, our genetic predispositions, and undiagnosed medical conditions such as autoimmune disorders, thyroid and other hormonal imbalances, etc., can also cause stress.  A detailed, personalized medical consultation with an integrative/functional practitioner can diagnose and address this issue head-on.

Short-Term Effects of Stress Response

Harmful effects of the fight-flight response are minimal, as long as this response is short in duration and infrequent.  Some of the important short-term effects of stress hormones are discussed:

1- Increased: heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, blood sugar, strength, alertness, learning, memory, and vasoconstriction.

2- Decreased: Digestive and reproductive functions.

Long-Term Effects of Stress Response

The stress response was designed to work in short, infrequent bursts. It was not made to be activated for prolonged and frequent periods of time, such as the chronic stressors we encounter during our daily lives. As long as our mind perceives a threat, the stress hormones keep our body aroused. This prolonged arousal leads to chronic anxiety and feelings of stress and can cause extensive collateral damage.

Some of the important long-term health mal-effects of chronic stress hormone exposure on our mind-body apparatus include:

1- High blood pressure, which can lead to stroke, an enlarged heart, and kidney disease.

2- Coronary artery disease.

3- General anxiety and depression.

4- Sleep interruption and insomnia. 

5- Chronic fatigue.

6- Impaired memory.

7- Heart burn, ulcers and irritable bowel.

8- Increased risk of infections and cancer.

9- Obesity and increased risk of diabetes.

10- Worsening of all forms of pain, such as headaches and backaches.

11- Worsening of PMS and infertility.

12- Certain skin diseases.

13- Sexual dysfunction.

14- Premature aging.

15- Worsening of certain autoimmune disorders, such as arthritis.

If you feel overwhelmed with the symptoms of stress, we can help.

For more information and to make an appointment, please contact Carolina Integrative Clinic at 919-869-6661 or email us at office@ciclinic.com.

Telehealth and long-distance consultations are offered.