Consequences of Prolonged Stress

Prolonged stress has damaging effects on all the body’s systems. We say this not to add to our patients’ stress, but so that they’ll understand the importance to their health of relaxation and the stress-reducing therapies we offer at the Carolina Chiropractic Center.

Stress is what we feel when our brains signal our endocrine system to produce a flood of hormones and our hearts to pump faster. The hormone in question, cortisol, instructs the liver to raise its production of the simple sugar glucose. This is good for an energy boost but bad for people who do not produce enough insulin to process glucose quickly.

Likewise, an increased heart rate will cause blood to deliver oxygen more rapidly. However, arteries will thicken in response to increased strain, which can cause muscles to tighten up. Strain on arteries in the brain can contribute to a stroke and numerous cognitive failures, such as memory loss and mood changes. This does not mean that increasing your heart rate is inherently bad—a heart rate can also be too low— but the best ways to raise it are through aerobic and resistance exercises which will strengthen other body systems.

Dr. James Huggins operates the Carolina Chiropractic Center at 1627 Suite C, South Irby, Florence, South Carolina, 29505. To set up an appointment, call 843-665-9192 or visit CarolinaChiroCenter.com and fill out a contact form.