Stress is a natural response to challenging or threatening situations, but when it becomes chronic, it can have negative effects on the body's systems. Here are some ways that stress can affect the body:
Overall, chronic stress can have a significant impact on the body's systems and lead to a range of health problems. It is important to manage stress through lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, relaxation techniques, and healthy eating.
With functional testing, Dr. Bezjak Drake is able to measure how your resilient your stress response is and provide targeted, natural therapies so that making these lifestyle changes are attainable.
- Cardiovascular system: When the body is under stress, the heart rate and blood pressure increase. This can lead to an increased risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
- Respiratory system: Stress can cause shallow breathing or hyperventilation, which can lead to shortness of breath and even panic attacks.
- Digestive system: Stress downregulates the digestive system, meaning digestive secretions are reduced and gut motility slows. This can lead to stomachaches, diarrhea, and constipation. It can also worsen conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
- Musculoskeletal system: Stress can cause muscle tension, leading to headaches, neck pain, and back pain.
- Immune system: Chronic stress can weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections and diseases.
- Nervous system: Stress can lock the body in the fight or flight response, leading to anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
- Reproductive system: Stress can affect reproductive health by reducing sex drive, causing menstrual irregularities, and leading to infertility.
Overall, chronic stress can have a significant impact on the body's systems and lead to a range of health problems. It is important to manage stress through lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, relaxation techniques, and healthy eating.
With functional testing, Dr. Bezjak Drake is able to measure how your resilient your stress response is and provide targeted, natural therapies so that making these lifestyle changes are attainable.