Stress - Introduction

Introduction

Stress affects most people in some way. Acute (sudden, short-term) stress leads to rapid changes throughout the body. Almost all body systems (the heart and blood vessels, immune system, lungs, digestive system, sensory organs, and brain) gear up to meet perceived danger.

These stress responses could prove beneficial in a critical, life-or-death situation. Over time, however, repeated stressful situations put a strain on the body that may contribute to physical and psychological problems. Chronic (long-term) stress can have real health consequences and should be addressed like any other health concern.

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Fortunately, research is showing that lifestyle changes and stress-reduction techniques can help people learn to manage their stress.

External and Internal Stressors

People can experience stress from external or internal factors.

• External stressors include adverse physical conditions (such as pain or hot or cold temperatures) or stressful psychological environments (such as poor working conditions or abusive relationships).
• Internal stressors can also be physical (infections and other illnesses, inflammation) or psychological (such as intense worry about a harmful event that may or may not occur). As far as anyone can tell, internal psychological stressors are rare or absent in most animals except humans.

Acute or Chronic Stress

Stressors can also be defined as short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic).

Acute Stress. Acute stress is the reaction to an immediate threat, commonly known as the fight or flight response. The threat can be any situation that is perceived, even subconsciously or falsely, as a danger.

Common acute stressors include:

• Noise (which can trigger a stress response even during sleep)
• Crowding
• Isolation
• Hunger
• Danger
• Infection
• High technology effects (playing video games, frequently ringing mobile phones)
• Imagining a threat or remembering a dangerous event

Under most circumstances, once the acute threat has passed, levels of stress hormones return to normal. This is called the relaxation response.

Chronic Stress. Frequently, modern life exposes people to long-term stressful situations. Stress, then, becomes chronic. The urge to act (to fight or flee) must therefore be controlled.

Common chronic stressors include:

• Ongoing work pressure
• Long-term relationship problems
• Loneliness
• Persistent financial worries

Review Date: 10/14/2010
Reviewed By: Reviewed by: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).