helping define such concepts as the purpose of
life. Interactions between the sense of spirit, the
mind, and the body provide powerful connections
that shape the experiences and expressions of
health and well-being as well as of illness and
injury.
Faith is often the factor that provides comfort
during health crises and confidence that treatment
will succeed. Numerous studies show correlations
between positive outcomes in serious illness or
injury and directed manifestations of belief such as
prayer circles, HEALING ceremonies, and spiritual
rituals. In some cultures spiritual practices are
inseparable from healing. A person’s faith or reli-
gion (a particular belief structure) may also be the
source of acceptance in chronic or terminal health
conditions.
As well, religious or spiritual beliefs may guide
the kinds of health-care decisions, including diag-
nostic procedures and treatments, individuals
make. For example, a religion’s doctrines may
proscribe FERTILITYtesting, CONTRACEPTION, or the
receipt of donor BLOOD (BLOOD TRANSFUSION) or
organs.
See also AYURVEDA; CULTURAL AND ETHIC HEALTH
CARE PERSPECTIVES; MEDITATION; MIND–BODY CONNEC-
TION; NATIVEAMERICAN HEALING; PRAYER AND SPIRITU-
ALITY; TRADITIONALCHINESE MEDICINE(TCM).
stress and stress management Stress is any fac-
tor that alters equilibrium. Stress management is
the effort to manage stress to maintain equilib-
rium. Stress is a constant and necessary dimension
of life. Stress can be physiologic, psychologic, or
emotional and often exists in combination.
Physiologic stress maintains vital bodily func-
tions such as BREATHING, HEART RATE, and BLOOD
PRESSURE. The STRESS RESPONSE HORMONAL CASCADE
instigates the “fight or flight” response that mobi-
lizes the body’s resources. The key HORMONEof this
cascade is CORTISOL, which the ADRENAL GLANDS
secrete. Cortisol influences or regulates numerous
physiologic functions, either directly or through
the release or suppression of other hormones such
as EPINEPHRINEand NOREPINEPHRINE. It also initiates
HEALING, stimulating the IMMUNE RESPONSE, and
focuses NEUROTRANSMITTERrelease and NEURONcom-
munication in the BRAIN to intensify cognitive
function.
The Health Consequences of Excessive Stress
Stress becomes problematic for health when it
exists in excess for an extended time. Sustained
elevation of the stress hormones damages cells,
tissues, and organs throughout the body, most
notably those of the cardiovascular system. Indica-
tions of prolonged, excessive stress may include- irritability, moodiness, or outbursts of anger
- worry, crying, or panic attacks
- difficulty sleeping, sleeping too much, or feel-
ing that sleep is not restful - PALPITATIONS
- frequentHEADACHES
- gastrointestinal distress such as NAUSEA, VOMIT-
ING, orDIARRHEA - increased APPETITEor loss of interest in eating
Elevated cortisol alters the body’s ability to pro-
duce and use INSULIN, which affects METABOLISMof
lipids. Researchers believe this contributes to
HYPERLIPIDEMIAand resulting ATHEROSCLEROSISand
may play a role in the development of type 2 DIA-
BETES. Excessive stress may also exacerbate chronic
health conditions such as HYPERTENSION(high blood
pressure), INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE(IBS), MULTI-
PLE SCLEROSIS, PARKINSON’S DISEASE, and DIVERTICULAR
DISEASE.Inappropriate Stress Relief Efforts
People sometimes turn to ALCOHOL, cigarette smok-
ing, and drugs (legal as well as illicit) to relieve
stress. Though these approaches may provide
relief in the short term, they can have numerous
adverse effects on health over the long term. Alco-
hol is a mild depressant, acting to slow NERVE
impulses and neuron function in the brain.
Though occasional and moderate alcohol con-
sumption does not present health issues for most
people, long-term use of alcohol for stress reduc-
tion is both counterproductive and damaging to
health. Chronic alcohol consumption has numer-
ous deleterious effects on the body, from LIVERand
nerve damage to increased risk for STOMACH CAN-
CER, LIVER CANCER, cognitive dysfunction, memory
impairment, and impaired healing. Tobacco,
though regular smokers feel it calms them, con-
tains NICOTINE, a powerful and addictive stimulant.stress and stress management 253