Stress Can Harm Your Health

Stress results from a natural defense mechanism of the body, the fight or flight response, which is meant to help us in dangerous situations.  This response results in a message being sent to the adrenal glands which was necessary for primitive man's survival in times long past, but in this modern world it is mostly a useless response which can be detrimental to health.

The fight or flight response kicks in when we feel anxiety and our body switches into defense mode.  That's okay in a dangerous situation, but if caused by the daily stresses and strains of modern life it can cause a series of inappropriate responses.  A message is sent to the adrenal glands which begins a process of releasing a number of hormones including adrenaline. Normal functions are switched off, such as digestion.  This creates that sick feeling in the stomach.  At the same time the body arouses other areas that are critical to its defense.  The liver releases glucose, fats are released into the bloodstream from reserves in the body and are used to increase muscle strength.  The body demands more oxygen and the rate of breathing increases.  Needing to get all this fuel and oxygen to the muscles, the heart beats faster and the blood pressure rises.  There may be sweating, nausea and muscle ache.

If this condition is maintained long enough and if the situation is repeated often enough, chronic stress develops where people become increasingly moody, tense and irritable, fatigued and nervous.  The high level of hormones may deplete the immune system and make a person more vulnerable to illness. Stress can also make existing medical conditions worsen.  Chronic stress can create headache, muscle pain and backache along with other problems.

The following are some suggestions that may help reduce stress:

• Avoid the situations and people that you know are troubling to you.

• Eliminate junk food.  Eat a healthful well-balanced diet.

• Develop a regular exercise regime, even a daily 20 minute walk will help.

• Learn to breathe properly and practice deep regular breathing.

• Learn to meditate and find a few minutes each day to practice.

• Get a reasonable number of hours sleep on a good mattress.

• Use a good orthopedic pillow and never sleep on your stomach.

• Get regular chiropractic adjustments.

Kantorosinski Chiropractic, Inc.
407 Essex Street     Salem, MA 01970     (978) 741-3477
9 Boston Street     Lynn, MA 01904     (781) 592-8089
www.masschiro.com
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