The phase 1; is an alarm reaction. In front of stress, some hormones (adrenaline and noradrenaline) are released by the body via the adrenal medulla gland. They increase heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rhythm and cause vasodilation from the blood vessels of the muscles. All these changes are intended to prepare the body "to flight or fight". In phase 1; “stress has the effect of calling the immune cells to take up their fighting position". If the stressful situation persists, the body enters the resistance phase or phase 2.
The phase 2; a second neurohormonal axis, the corticotropic axis, is activated to prepare the body for the energy expenditures that will require the response to stress. New hormones are then secreted, glucocorticoids, which have in particular the effect of increasing the blood sugar level but also inhibiting some unnecessary systems to the response to stress, such as the immune system.
The phase 3; is the one of exhaustion, when the stressful situation continues.
Hyperstimulated neurohormonal systems disintegrate and the body is submerged with activating hormones, which become harmful. Stress becomes chronic when cortisol remains high once the stressor’s action is over. In a few weeks appear pains (diarrheas, headache, muscle and joint pain, sleep, appetite and digestion disorders, anxiety, increased nervousness, difficulty concentrating, etc.)
Chronic stress will monopolize the sterol reserves or fatty substances for hormones production such as cortisol, cortisone, corticosterone, aldosterone, to the detriment of steroids such as testosterone. Hence a decline in libido but also in intellectual activity to be creative.
When the state of stress becomes permanent, more severe changes in health may appear: atrophy of the dendrites of the hypophysis neurons. It affects verbal memory and memory in situation (especially the emotional situation).
Other consequences may appear like the insulin resistance, which can evolve into diabetes, depression, high blood pressure, fatal heart attacks in some predisposed people, disruption of lipid metabolism, anorexia, bulimia, weight gain, premature aging, musculo-skeletal disorders, reduced resistance to infections, autoimmune diseases, etc.
The wall of the digestive tube houses about 70% of the body’s immune cells, as well as 100 million neurons spread over its entire length. This explains, among other things, how emotions can alter digestive functions as well as the performance of the immune system.
To avoid entering this maddening spiral, which can destroy little by little, but very probably health, it is advisable to avoid too stressful situations and above all, to learn to manage them, when we cannot avoid them. A varied and balanced diet is part of a healthy lifestyle.
As for the plate, I simply recommend a varied diet, with vegetables, fruits, seeds and nuts. Avoid using artificial stimulants such as caffeine, tea, alcohol or massive amounts of sugar. It only makes the situation worse.
- during an immediate attack, it is necessary to try, if possible, to do an intense exercise (running in the forest, swimming, cycling, etc.).
The effects of stress on the digestive system
Stress can be of different nature: period of mourning, break-up, repeated micro-stress of everyday life, etc.
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- stress destabilizes the intestinal flora.
- Digestive secretions are disturbed by stress.
Take care!
Information about the author:
Eric Darche / Hygienist-Naturopath
Founder of a new school of naturopathy and hygienicism 100% in E-learning on Internet :ENHED
Author, lecturer. Remote consultations by telephone or Skype.
telephone: 09 50 24 05 34.
Facebook group open to all where you can find him: Naturopathie, hygiénisme et alimentation vivante.
