Stress and the immune system – Part 3
In part 1, I explore the immune system and in part 2 the impact of short term or accute stress on the immune system. In this post I want to explore the impact of chronic or long term stress on the immune system.
1. Distant Stressors – traumatic experiences that occurred in the past yet are still causing long lasting change in both emotional and cognitive behaviours that result in modification of immune system function. For example, having been a prisoner of war.
2. Chronic Stressors – these pervade a person’s life and there is no awareness of when it might end. This for of stress suppresses both specific and natural immunity. Some examples of chronic stressors are
- demanding jobs
- financial difficulties
- challenging relationships
In summary the stress hormone corticosteroid can suppress the effectiveness of the immune system (e.g. lowers the number of lymphocytes).
Stress can also have an indirect effect on the immune system as a person may use unhealthy behavioural coping strategies to reduce their stress, such as drinking and smoking.
Managing stress therefore is intrinsically linked to wellbeing and keeping well.
Reference
Related Posts
Stress and the immune system – Part 1
With the Coronavirus outbreak, I thought it would be beneficial to discuss how stress impacts the immune system. The immune system’s job is to keep the body safe and its very flexible but can be compromised by age and illness. There are two types of immunity:
- Specific immunity
- Natural immunity
‘Alternative cancer therapies’ may increase your risk of death
“Cancer patients who use alternative medicine more than twice as likely to die,” is the stark message, which has been reported in the press including CNN, Daily Mail and the Sun newspaper (see below). https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/4249489/cancer-patients-who-shun-chemo-for-alternative-therapies-are-twice-as-likely-to-die/ I know that I have written blogs about cancer in the past and pointed recent ideas and research. But I want to make it crystal clear that I believe in complementary therapy not alternative therapy. While this may sound like symantics its a crucial difference. At Vitality Therapy we always recommend you follow your GP, consultant and conventional medicine's recommendations and we work in a manner that is complementary to that advice, guideance and medication. In the articles I mentioned earlier, people were using "Alternative Medicine" instead of conventional cancer treatments. The researchers concluded that people using "Alternative Medicine" were less likely to survive after a cancer diagnosis for 5 years. What I discuss in my blog articles and we recommend in clinic is "complementary therapy" which is completely compatible will all forms of western medicine. Below is an extract from the NHS choices - Cancer section.. "There are reports that some people find complementary medicines (CAMs) of benefit during cancer treatments. For example, some people have said that acupuncture helped them cope better with the side effects of chemotherapy." The basic premise of the press articles is that ignoring medical advice on the treatment choices that potentially offer the most benefit for cancer (or any other illness) could be fatal. Here at Vitality Therapy we never suggest or imply that you ignore medical advice.
