The ongoing affects of stress

As we find out more about our bodies, we are learning that stress has ongoing affects on us all. I have touched on the stress levels that we are placing on our children and especially teens to create winners. We have also looked at the negative aspects in terms of behaviours and even depression, but could there be other long terms implications of this stress? There are of course the obvious physical effects that we know, but a recent link to Alzheimer's and memory loss is a little unexpected. So for just a recap, lets firstly remind ourselves of these physical affects of stress on our bodies:

1. muscle and skeletal pain
2. breathing problems and hyperventilation
3. cardiovascular disease
4. blood sugar problems
5. gastrointestinal and stomach disorders
6. reproductive problems

I have only skipped over the physical affects as I am more interested in the possible effects on brain function, but a more detailed examination of stress is offered by the American Psychological Association website. I would encourage you to visit the site if you require more information.

We tend to think of stress in the terms of "here and now" and not many of us will be concerned about the possible future problems that may arise. We are even told that a mild amount of stress is good for us, and in some cases that it is an evolutionary response that helps us survive. However, a new study seems to suggest that the affects of stress can have a real impact on later life and especially the onset of cognitive impairment. The link between stress and Alzheimer's is not really as well defined as suggested, but these issues make me wonder if the stressful lifestyle of teens can have an impact on early onset of this disease? The transfer of stress to the younger members of our society makes this an even more worrying thought.

It appears that the stress and brain degeneration are linked through chemical means. When the body encounters stress, cortisol is released into the blood system. This is the chemical messenger that prepares us for the "flight or fight" response to these stressors. But cortisol also has affect on the brain. According to the Alzheimer's Research & Prevention Foundation, in excess, cortisol "damages cells in the "memory centre of your brain. It stops glucose from entering your brain cells. It blocks your neurotransmitter function and causes brain cells to become injured. High levels of cortisol also impact your ability to learn and retain new information (this is called short-term memory loss)". I suppose though that the one positive that exists is that our brains have neuroplasticity. In essence it means that if there is no long term damage, the brain can repair and respond.

I suppose we go back to the old adage of "healthy body, healthy mind", and the reduction of stress and maintaining a healthy lifestyle (and diet) a greater imperative. Yet we continue to pile the stress onto our children and teens without thinking about the long term implications. 

Further reading on the subject can be found at: 
High Stress Levels Can Dramatically Increase Your Risk for Alzheimers by Carolyn Gregoire (2015) - http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/56708edee4b0688701db7097?ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000067

Stress and its influence on Alzheimer's disease - http://www.alz.uci.edu/stress-and-its-influence-on-alzheimer%E2%80%99s-disease/