Effects of Stress on Various Organs

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Effects on Various Organs and Systems

The effect of these adjustments is to prepare the body to tackle stress by providing more energy in the form of increased oxygen and glucose.

a) Brain

The stress hormones act on an area called the 'Limbic system' situated in the temporal lobe of brain. Limbic system is concerned with emotions. The emotional symptoms like anxiety, mood swing and depression are due to the effects of the stress hormones on limbic system.

The stress hormones act on the frontal lobe which is related to short term memory resulting in memory disturbances. Hippocampus which is also situated in the temporal lobe and concerned with long term memory gets influenced by the stress hormones which usually results in storage of the bad experience due to stress which the person may recall repeatedly in the future.

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b) Cardiovascular System

The hormone adrenaline acts on the B1 receptors of the heart (B1 receptors are chemical substances present on the wall of the heart which readily combines with adrenaline and related hormones which results in stimulation of the heart) resulting in increase in rate and force of contraction. These are called positive chronotrophic and positive inotrophic effects respectively. The final result is increased cardiac output.

The hormone also acts on the alpha receptors of the blood vessels( alpha receptors are chemicals found in the walls of the blood vessels which readily combine with adrenaline and related substances which results in stimulation of the blood vessels) resulting in their contraction which increases the blood pressure. The final result is effective delivery of blood to various tissues of the body.

C) Respiratory System

The stress hormones act indirectly on the lungs resulting in increased respiratory rate. This allows more oxygen to enter the lungs and subsequently the blood and is taken to various tissues.

d) Non Vital Organs

Blood supply to less vital organs like spleen, gastrointestinal tract and skin is decreased in order to supply blood to more vital organs like brain and the heart. Spleen is a reservoir of blood and it shrinks to expel blood in to the blood vessels.Gastrointetinal tract is deprived of blood supply resulting in poor digestion. The mouth and the throat become dry making difficult to speak and swallow. There is a decrease in the blood supply to stomach. This results in worsening of the ulcers present along the walls of the stomach. The transit time of the colon is increased resulting in loose stools. Skin is the largest organ in the body that becomes cold and clammy. The erector pilae muscle which is attached to the hair follicles contracts resulting in goose flesh.

e) Immune System

The hormone cortisol which is a steroid is an immunosuppressant. Increased levels of the hormone suppress the immune system resulting in increased susceptibility to infections. Though steroids are the mainstay in the treatment of allergic disorders, in the long run they derange the entire immune system. So cortisol which is a steroid, if secreted continuously due to persistent stress, there will be flaring up of the allergic disorders.

Everyone in this world experience stress. There is no escape from it. One has to handle it effectively. The physiological effects of stress are responses of the body for handling stress effectively. For example, while trekking in the forest if a person confronts any animal, he is exposed to a hostile situation resulting in stress. His normal response should be to run away from that place. What is physiological stress response in this situation? It is the release of stress hormones that help; which make certain functional adjustments and provides energy for that person to run. So a stress response is very much essential. Suppose, if the animal starts chasing him all the way, after sometime his energy stores exhausts and the person collapses. In this instance, the physiological effects of stress prove to be detrimental. So a physiological stress response should not be a persistent one.