Photograph by Jofreepik
THE IMPACT OF
CHRONIC
STRESS by Mandi C. Dalicandro-Turk
Stress is difficult to contend with for many. Chronic stress has the potential to impact an individual's physiological and/or psychological health and well-being. Long-term, the probability exists for stress to spillover into important facets of daily life, and affect an individual’s capacity to function. HPA Axis Health related issues begin systematically, many times, prior to an individual having awareness of physiological and/or psychological issues being present or the associated long-term effects. The hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis has an important role in fighting and managing stress. The HPA axis affects cortisol (a stress hormone) secretion from the adrenal cortex. The HPA axis is an adaptive system, and “protects against the damaging effects of internal and external stress” (McEwen, p. 171, 2011). However, once stress becomes chronic, it is difficult to balance depleted reserves, and HPA axis dysfunction is the potential result. Cortisol will be secreted as part of the fight-or-flight response; if this is experienced chronically, an individual will begin to experience immune system dysfunction, poor health outcomes, and an array of associated symptoms.
SUMMER 2018
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