SPECIAL FEATURE

May-2026 1 Expression

Stress and the human body

Short-term stress sharpens the body’s responses, but when it lingers, it becomes a silent disruptor across multiple body systems

Dr. Muhammad Usman Ul Haq

Stress, an ever-present element of the human experience, has attracted significant attention from the scientific community because of its profound impact on physiological and psychological well-being. The body’s response to stressors, whether physical or psychological, starts a complex cascade of hormonal and neurological events, designed to facilitate adaptation and survival. However, when stress becomes chronic or overwhelming, these adaptive mechanisms can become dysregulated, leading to a range of adverse health outcomes. Let us examine the multifaceted ways in which stress manifests within the body and examine its effects on various systems.

When there is a stressful situation, the body activates the fight-or-flight response. The adrenal gland secretes stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, which subsequently raise blood pressure, boost energy supply, and increase blood sugar levels. However, prolonged activation of this response causes health problems.

Stress increases heart rate and blood pressure, but over the long term, can it lead to hypertension, which is a risk factor for stroke and cardiac illness. Unhealthy coping behaviors such as smoking, physical inactivity, and poor dietary habits can further cause inflammation in the body.

Chronic stress can affect the digestive system, causing it to remain contracted for prolonged periods, leading to problems such as indigestion, constipation, acid reflux, and ulcers. Stress hormones also cause increased craving for foods high in fat and sugar, leading to weight gain and diabetes. Stress may also aggravate conditions associated with bowel inflammation.

Prolonged exposure to stress can impair cognitive functions such as concentration, decision-making, and brain fog. It may also reduce learning ability, cause memory decline, and even cause neurogenesis. Psychologically, chronic stress may lead to burnout, irritability, and depression, and may lead to low self-esteem and avoidance of responsibilities. It can lead a person to engage in impulse activities, such as binge shopping. Prolonged stress can also lead to substance abuse.

Short-term stress can temporarily enhance immune function; however, chronic stress suppresses the immune system, making the person prone to colds and flu, slow healing of wounds, and worsening of autoimmune conditions.

Chronic stress can cause muscle pain, tension headaches, migraines, and neck and shoulder pain. It can also trigger conditions like acne, eczema, and hives. Hair loss is a common physical sign of chronic stress.

Childhood abuse or maltreatment is also associated with psychological stress, which may lead to disturbances in attachment, negative attitudes towards school and learning, and poor academic performance. Family conflict may be responsible for anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder in children and adolescents, and may even be responsible for structural changes in children’s brains.

In women, chronic stress can cause cardiovascular disease, irregular and painful menstruation, and reduced fertility. It can impact ovulation and cause mood swings, ultimately affecting overall quality of life. In men, chronic stress can lead to decreased libido and cause hormonal imbalance.

Healthy ways to manage stress include lifestyle changes such as exercising for 30 minutes, or cycling, or engaging in any other physical activity every day. A balanced diet that limits caffeine and sugar intake, while including fruits and vegetables, is also beneficial. Proper sleep, with the target of about seven hours every night, can help reduce stress hormone levels.

Training yourself to cope with stress is equally important. This includes breaking tasks into smaller steps, setting priorities, avoiding negative thoughts, and identifying the main sources of stress in order to manage them more effectively.

Progressive muscle relaxation techniques, deep breathing exercises, talking to family and friends or a counselor, where available, and cognitive behavior therapy, can help manage post-traumatic stress disorders. Listening to calming music and briefly disconnecting from social media can help reduce stress. Early identification and treatment of chronic stress can effectively lead a person to a healthier life.

[Dr. Muhammad Usman Ul Haq is an Orthopaedic Specialist at KIMSHEALTH, Jarir Medical Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.]

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