Chronic stress can wreak havoc on mind and body and has been implicated in many health problems including autoimmune disorders. New research helps shed light on how stress may increase the risk of an autoimmune disease similar to multiple sclerosis which causes damage to the nervous system.

Normally, stress sets off a chain reaction in your body that includes the release of the hormone cortisol that helps you handle stressful situations (fight or flight). Cortisol also helps regulate your immune response. In small doses, your body’s reaction to stress is protective; higher or unrelenting amounts of stress have the opposite effect.

Using mice, the scientists showed how chronic stress may damage the body’s ability to regulate immune function. They found that autoimmunity results when chronic stress alters the effectiveness of cortisol to regulate the inflammatory response because it decreases tissue sensitivity to the hormone. Specifically, immune cells become insensitive to cortisol's regulatory effect. In turn, runaway inflammation promotes the development of autoimmunity.

Moreover, the researchers found that exposure to high levels of corticosterone (the equivalent of cortisol in rodents) simulating chronic stress reduced the number of immune cells. This increased the number of cells that encouraged damaging inflammation compared to those that inhibit it.

This mechanism appeared more pronounced in females than in males and may explain, in part, the higher rates of autoimmune disease in women than in men.

This study also supports previous research that found that a high proportion (up to 80%) of patients with autoimmune disorders reported uncommon emotional stress before disease onset. Unfortunately, not only does stress cause disease, but the disease itself also causes significant stress in the patients, creating a vicious cycle.

Take Aways

The researchers say the results of this study suggest that while a high level of cortisol may generally protect against the worsening of autoimmune diseases, in those exposed to chronic stress, steroids could lead to a worsening of their symptoms.

Therefore, even though steroids is one of the treatments for chronic inflammation, use of such a treatment – particularly in patients suffering from chronic stress – should be carefully weighed and considered.

We can all achieve health benefits by reducing the amount of stress in our lives. You can find tips and ideas to tame stress with Strategies for a Stressed Out Society.

Sources:

Ben-Gurion University of Negev
Science Daily
PubMed

Researchers studying conflict and stress have found that stress stimulates part of the immune system that causes inflammation in the body. Inflammation has been linked to a long list of health problems including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s, depression, and autoimmune disorders.

The focus of the study was to determine whether the stress of personal conflicts and competitive sports would trigger the release of molecules known as cytokines, which are linked to inflammation.

Study participants, 122 young adults (53 men and 69 women) recorded their activities over eight days. They noted all their interactions with others and whether these were positive or negative. They were also given stress tests and saliva samples were taken to measure biological markers for inflammation.

The researchers found that cytokine levels went up after "negative" interactions, usually arguments. But playing competitive sports didn't have the same effect. However, the researchers noted that the  study subjects played “friendly games," and that high-stakes sports could be more stressful and thereby trigger inflammation.

Stress Run Amok

A carryover from early man, stress is part of the fight-or-flight response necessary for survival. It activates the immune system in preparation for fighting infection and healing wounds—a good thing if you’re facing a woolly mammoth. However if you aren't wounded, inflammatory cytokines are circulating with no place to go causing low-grade inflammation.

Over time, chronic stress and inflammation can contribute to the buildup of artery-blocking plaque and contribute to disorders linked to an out-of-control immune system, such as asthma.

Reducing Stress

While you can’t always avoid conflict and other stressful situations, there are things you can do to reduce stress and its damaging health effects:

• Sharpen your coping skills. There are many great books on the topic in your local library or bookstore.
• Foster a healthy social network of family and friends for support in stressful situations.
• Participate in activities that have been shown to reduce stress such as:
  • yoga, meditation or prayer.
  • listening to music, getting a massage, or cuddling with your pet or spouse.
  • regular exercise.
• Look for ways to prevent stress. This might include avoiding unnecessary conflict, not over committing yourself, and being assertive by dealing with a situation before it escalates.
• Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables and omega 3 fatty acids that help reduce inflammation. Limit foods that that are high in saturated fats (like red meat and full-fat dairy products) that promote inflammation.

For more ideas, read Practical Ways to Strike a Work/Life Balance and Reduce Stress.

Sources:

Health Day News

WebMD

U.S. News & World Report

WebMD