Humanity has never been under more psychological and physiological stress than right now, nor have we been more aware of the signs of severe strain on the body, mind, and environment. Being exposed to major global stressors, specifically during the COVID pandemic, causes more anxiety in general. These effects have become more significant, particularly in the increased medical diagnoses of stress-related illnesses.
High levels of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline can be detrimental when they constantly increase heart rate over a long period of time - proliferating the risk of other long-term health issues. Continuous stress makes individuals more susceptible to heart attacks and strokes which often precipitate long-term illness and premature death. It is therefore critical to focus astutely on stress prevention.
The main stress hormone, cortisol, boosts the brain's ability to use glucose and thereby raises blood sugar levels - increasing the availability of compounds that promote tissue repair. This steroid hormone is made in the cortex of the adrenal glands and then gets released into the bloodstream.
When cortisol is left unregulated, it can be very detrimental, therefore it is continuously monitored in the body to maintain homeostasis. Excessive cortisol levels over an extended period of time can result in anxiety and depression. Common signs and symptoms of excess cortisol include weight gain, especially in the face and the abdomen, (fatty deposits between the shoulder blades), diabetes, hypertension, hair loss, hirsutism in women, proximal muscle weakness, and osteoporosis.
On the other hand, insufficient cortisol production is caused by a malfunctioning pituitary gland which can lead to serious conditions like Addison's disease.
Psychiatric literature states that being able to handle stress well requires regulating negative emotions by focusing on positive emotions instead.
Reorganizing brain networks that are less important for core cognitive functions is a common side effect of various anxiety disorders.
When faced with real or perceived physiological and psychological challenges, the stress response in healthy organisms is aimed at maintaining the balance of biological functions of homeostasis. The normal stress response entails a tight orchestration of several adaptive responses.
Cognitive and behavioural activities are considered normal stress responses. Activation of these neural circuits in long-term stress situations may deregulate circuits and responses, resulting in system dysfunction.
Thanks to the brain's structures, neural processes, and neural circuits, we can have a better understanding of the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders. Stress causes the body to release excessive natural opiates and steroids which can be harmful to the immune system. Various measures can be put into place to manage undue strain, general anxiety disorders, and associative conditions.
When it comes to stress relief, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. It is critical to have a variety of stress relief tools at your disposal from which to select a tailor-made strategy that works best for your current circumstances. It is very important to consult with your physician for a thorough assessment before embarking on a well-advised and monitored plan suited to your specific needs.
Overcoming anxiety disorders normally requires intervention. Housecall can help. You can get professional medical advice from the comfort of your home by booking a consultation with one of our doctors. Our professionals will guide you through each step of achieving and maintaining your ideal health status.
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