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I t p a y s t o b e A B M P C e r t i f i e d : w w w. a b m p . c o m / g o / c e r t i f i e d c e n t r a l 41 HOW STRESS AFFECTS THE BODY So many glands and organs are affected by the autonomic nervous system that stress affects every body system on some level. For example: Cardiovascular system: Stress contributes to a sustained elevation of blood pressure, as well as triggering or aggravating cardiovascular pathologies like angina, coronary heart disease, and ischemic cardiopathy, among others. Digestive system: Brief bouts of stress (e.g., a presentation at work) may cause short digestive system reactions such as a stomachache, nausea, or diarrhea. Colitis, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and stomach and duodenal ulcers are closely associated with chronic stress. Endocrine system: Stress can cause imbalances in powerful hormones that help regulate many body functions. The adrenal glands can go through three different phases as they attempt to deal with chronic stress. In the first stage (adrenal adaptation), the adrenals increase the production of stress hormones, resulting in digestive issues, jitteriness, weight gain, menstrual problems, and sleep disturbances. In the second stage (adrenal maladaptation), the adrenal glands slow down, resulting in fatigue, loss of sexual drive, fluid retention, and hair loss. The third stage (adrenal exhaustion) is associated with conditions like fibromyalgia, severe constipation, depression, memory loss, joint pain, and panic attacks. Thyroid disorders are also closely linked to stress. Integumentary system: Skin disorders like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis are worsened by stress. Some forms of hair loss are linked to stress. Neurodermatitis is a skin disorder that causes severe itching of the skin and is likely caused by an overactive sympathetic nervous system and the subsequent imbalance in the endocrine system related to stress. Lymphatic and immune system: Stress makes people more susceptible to catching common illnesses and can impair the body's inflammatory response. Conditions involving excessive inflammation, like allergic, autoimmune, cardiovascular, infectious, and rheumatologic illnesses, are exacerbated by stress. People experiencing chronic stress recover more slowly from a wide variety of diseases and conditions. Musculoskeletal system: Muscle tension is increased when the body is under stress, and this may lead to chronic tension patterns and postural imbalances. Conditions like temporal mandibular joint disorder may be caused or worsened by stress. Nervous system: Anxiety is a normal response to stress, but if stress is prolonged, a number of disorders can develop such as panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and social anxiety disorder. Stress also plays a role in depression and mood disorders. Reproductive system: The fight-or-flight response inhibits the release of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which directs reproduction and sexual behavior. Cortisol inhibits the release of the luteinizing hormone, which stimulates ovulation and sperm release, and hinders the production of male and female sex hormones like testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. Stress levels influence infertility, menstrual disorders, and sexual disorders. Respiratory system: Asthma symptoms worsen under increased levels of stress. Urinary system: While urinary retention (problems emptying the bladder) has many possible causes, one of them is stress. Stress can also worsen conditions including interstitial cystitis (painful bladder syndrome) where the bladder wall becomes irritated and inflamed.