How Stress-Induced Inflammation Leads to Disease

It’s so easy in our culture for subtle stressors to accumulate in the body. Stress left unchecked leads to chronic inflammation. And chronic inflammation could eventually kill you if you don’t make managing and reducing stress a priority.

Too much inflammation leads to stress-related diseases. In the NIH article, Inflammation: The Common Pathway of Stress-Related Diseases, there is a useful chart showing which issues could evolve from chronic inflammation. While we don’t typically think of stress as inflammation, the body sees anything that disrupts its normal patterns as “stress” in the brain and body.

In this study, the researchers discuss the body’s anti-inflammatory and immune-suppressive responses. In fact, certain hormones actually suppress the immune system.

Our bodies are programmed to help us meet certain challenges on the cellular level – like when it encounters inflammation. Recent research shows that chronic stress inhibits the anti-inflammatory response! We are not protected by the body when overexposing it to copious amounts of stress.

Of course, a little stress can be good. For example, fear causes you to move out of the way of a speeding truck. Or if you aren’t making enough money, your anxiety prompts you to look for a job. But "chronic stressors," the study reports, "are suppressive." In other words, it puts the immune system on hold, leading to inflammation.

Since inflammation can lead to stress-related diseases, it’s important to identify these chronic stressors. Here is a list of some of the signs and symptoms of stress-related inflammation. Have you experienced any of these?

Why It’s Crucial to Reduce Stress-Induced Inflammation

It’s not surprising that a higher cardiovascular disease risk is common with work-related stressors. Stressors such as low income, high job demands, shift work, and workplace conflicts are common culprits. But that’s not all. The study also reported that coronary artery disease is prevalent among people experiencing poor sleep quality due to stress. Studies have also shown high rates of coronary artery disease among people experiencing stress from discrimination, such as anger, hostility, and aggressiveness.

The study went on to discuss the stressors and what "puts out" or neutralizes stress. Effective stress management includes cultivating positive emotions, and optimism, and enhancing satisfaction with life. These factors are protective against cardiovascular disease.

People with depression may feel this is easier said than done. And they’re not to blame; compromised gut health is almost always to blame for anxiety and depression tendencies. Tackling gut dysbiosis while practicing good daily mental habits produces "happy" hormones. Making improvements to gut health will result in a massive reduction of inflammation. An imbalanced microbiome is at the root of every disease, and stress is a direct cause. This comes in the form of stress from unhealthy food and unhealthy emotions.

Negative emotions affect our health for the worse, while positive ones "protect." For example, stress reduces the activity of white blood cells, also known as "fighter cells," which exist to protect us.

When we allow negative situations to overtake us, we kill off our own biological army! While our patterns of thought and worry can feel “normal,” we must be mindful to avoid this. It comes down to choice. We can either choose to stay in negative patterns or look for positive solutions. It’s either one or the other, but we do get to choose.

In my work with cancer patients as a cancer exercise specialist, I found that patients with positive outlooks had better outcomes. Those with negative emotions tended to experience recurrences. There’s a direct relationship between stress and cancer. In the abstract about inflammation, researchers found that chronic stress even accelerated cancer. Stress causes liver metastasis of colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer metastasis.

Have you heard of the gut-brain axis? There is strong communication between the neuroendocrine and immune systems. Most of our immune system lies within the gut. If the mind and immune system are so connected, what if we feed the mind great ideas? What if we could teach it some healing thoughts that it could then relay to our immune system? How do you now think your body would respond?

How to Reduce Stress and Inflammation in the BodyDo you see why it’s so important to guard your mind and focus on the beautiful things in life? What’s one thing you’re thankful for right now? The smell of a flower? The roof over your head? The cup from which you get to drink your favorite beverage? The shirt on your back? Let your mind dwell on these things, and your body will respond.

Here are a few ideas to lower inflammation and stress in your body:

• Take your dog for a walk.

• Massage your shoulders.

• Take a hot Epsom salt bath.

• Take a few deep breaths (Breathe in for 1, hold for 2, and breathe out for 2).

• Stretch and perform moderate exercise.

Which activities would you like to try to help you de-stress?

For a more complete list of ideas for stress reduction, download my FREE 15 Stress Strategies for a Slimmer Waistline and a Healthier Body here: www.livewellwithstacy.com/stressless.