Can stress lead to health risks?

New research published in the Journal of Diabetic Medicine found permanent stress at work or home to be a significant factor in the development of Type 2 diabetes. Of the 7,000 men in the study, 45 per cent were more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if they reported permanent stress.

The study was conducted at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. The men of the study had no previous history of diabetes, heart disease or stroke. Stress levels were rated on a six-point scale indicating no stress, periodic stress or permanent stress over a 35-year period.

The researchers taking into account other diabetes risk factors such as high blood pressure, age and physical activity further confirmed the findings.

“Self-perceived permanent stress is an important long-term predictor of diagnosed diabetes, independently of socio-economic status, BMI and other conventional type 2 diabetes risk factors,” researchers added.

Stress increasing doctor’s visits

Stress can also play a significant role in the development of headaches, high blood pressure, skin conditions, asthma, arthritis, depression and anxiety.  according to WebMD, 75 per cent to 90 per cent of all doctor’s office visits are stress related and 43 per cent of all adults suffer adverse health effects from stress at some time in their lives.

However, stress is a normal part of life and cannot be avoided. It is the body’s reaction to any change that requires a response. Stress can be positive as well, keeping us alert and avoiding danger.

Stress can be exacerbated and become extremely dangerous if one uses alcohol, tobacco, or drugs as a form of relief. A poor diet and lack of physical activity also take a toll on one’s body.

Links to chronic diseases

Over-commitments to one’s work responsibilities, dysfunctional family life, lack of time, financial pressures and difficulties in personal relationships can cause stress and disease. A person’s response to challenges varies tremendously and largely depends on his or her own personality style, family upbringing and social support structures.

The body has a built in system that is activated under any form of stress called the fight or flight response.  Perceived threats activate a tiny region at the base of one’s brain called the hypothalamus.  The hypothalamus communicates through nerve and hormone signals that activate the adrenal glands at the top of one’s kidneys.  The adrenal glands then release hormones called adrenaline and cortisol.

The adrenaline hormone increases one’s heart rate and blood pressure.  Cortisol is the primary stress hormone that increases sugars in the blood stream which in turn can cause inflammation, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Cortisol also shuts down functions that would be non-essential in the fight or flight response. An example of this can include erectile dysfunction which is a major side effect of chronic stress and uncontrolled type 2 diabetes.

The fight or flight response also alters regions of the brain that control arousal, mood, motivation and fear.  This response is often cycical and causes health conditions that create further stress and additional complications.

The body’s ability to respond to stress is usually automatic and self-regulating. Hormones within the body return to normal once the stressful situation has passed.  This prevents excessive stress on the heart, pancreas, brain and other vital organs involved in the stress response.

Long-term exposure to cortisol and other stress hormones can wreak havoc throughout the body.  Health problems include heart disease, sleeping difficulties, digestive problems, depression, obesity, poor memory and a variety of skin conditions.

How to handle stress

Exercise is an effective way to maximise your response to negative stress.  It will lower cortisol, balance insulin and trigger hormones that improve the stress response.  Exercise simply allows the body to function at a greater level thus lowering stress naturally.

Step out and re-group oneself if you feel overwhelmed. Go for a walk, relax and find something that takes you out of the negative environment.  The solution is not to ever have stress; it’s to know how to respond to the best of one’s ability.

We need to re-program what obstacles, challenges and seemingly impossible situations mean to success, life and health.  Certain challenges may require some effort but that effort makes you stronger versus weaker. overlooked in regard to the stress response and diabetes.

One’s diet also positively contributes to the physical and the psychological response of the body’s neurology and hormonal balance. Poor dietary factors will add unneeded chemical stress on the body and will contribute to the production of the fight or flight response that spikes adrenaline and cortisol.