Can stress make you ill?

Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D.O. — Written by Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA on March 31, 2020

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/can-stress-make-you-sick

• Can it?
• Cardiovascular
• Gastrointestinal
• Respiratory
• Pain
• Skin
• Reproductive
• Effects on the mind
• Treatment
• Seeing a doctor
• Summary

If a person experiences stress on a regular basis, they might notice symptoms such as irregular eating patterns, difficulty sleeping, or problems with their heart and immune system. 

Stress is a natural part of the body’s existence. However, stress is meant to be an occasional emotion, not a constant one. 

This article will look at the effects that stress can have on the body, as well as some things a person can do to lower their stress levels.

Can stress cause illness? 

High stress levels are associated with high blood pressure and heart disease.

Stress can trigger a variety of diseases and conditions.

When a person experiences stress, the body increases its production of steroid hormones called glucocorticoids. These include cortisol, which is also known as the “stress hormone.”

Although these hormones typically help regulate the immune system and help reduce inflammation, chronic stress can cause a miscommunication between the immune system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. This is the interaction between the adrenal glands, the pituitary gland, and the hypothalamus.

As a result, there is a higher chance of developing mental and physical conditions, including:

• fatigue
• diabetes
• obesity
• depression
• immune conditions

Stress hormones can depress the immune system by loweringTrusted Source the activity of cells that respond to viruses and bacteria or other inflammatory conditions.

The following sections will discuss the physical effects of stress in more detail.