Long and Short Term Effects of Stress

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Beware! Stress Could Cause Serious Long-Term Effects

The long term and short term effects of stress on the body manifest itself irrespective of the age groups. When the trigger is repetitive, prolonged or unanticipated, then it becomes pathological. The effects of stress affect not only man, but also animals. This article throws light on:

What are the functional adjustments which are responsible for the short term effects of stress?
What are the symptoms of post Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Will misunderstanding with the spouse result in stress?

Stress is a normal physiological response of the body to hostile environment. The effects of stress affect not only man, but also animals. Stress can affect children, adolescents and adults. Though the stress factor may be different in different age groups, the outcome is more or less the same. The effects of stress on the body can be categorized into short term and long term effects irrespective of the age groups. When the trigger is repetitive, prolonged or unanticipated, then it becomes pathological. The immediate, transient or the short term effects are the normal physiological responses whereas the delayed, persisting or the long term effects of stress are the pathological responses.

Short Term Effects of Stress

When a person encounters a threat, his body gets geared up to handle it by the 'Fight or flight' response. During this response certain functional adjustments occur in the body. These changes persist till the threat exists. When the threat no longer exists, the body returns to normal. These immediate, transient effects are the short term effects of stress. This is a physiological response seen in all persons exposed to stress.The few functional adjustments which are responsible for the short term effects are

Diversion of the blood from less vital to more vital organs.
Increase in the heart rate to supply more blood quickly.
Increase in the blood pressure to supply blood efficiently.
Increase in the respiratory rate to get more oxygen from the atmosphere.
Breakdown of glycogen stores in liver and muscle to get more glucose.
Formation of more glucose from non carbohydrate substances.

These functional adjustments responsible for the stress effects on the body, manifest themselves with an array of signs and symptoms which include

Palpitation
Chest pain
frozen shoulder
Cold clammy skin with gooseflesh
Flushing and feeling of warmth
Breathlessness
Dry mouth with difficulty in speaking and swallowing
Abdominal discomfort
Aggravation of Peptic Ulcer
Loose stools
Increased blood glucose levels.
Headache, back ache and neck pain
Depletion of energy stores
Flare up of diseases like eczema, psoriasis, arthritis
Difficulty in concentrating
Memory disturbances
Sleeplessness
Decreased sexual drive
Loss of appetite
Anxiety
Depression
Outbursts of anger

We can take the example of a guy appearing for a competitive exam for a job. When he has to study a lot, if he is not able to cover all the topics or if he finds the topics very tough, then preparation for the exams acts as a trigger for stress. The affected person undergoes either some or all of the above mentioned symptoms with their severity based on his susceptibility.

If he is able to complete all the topics and if he is able to understand what he studies, then the trigger is gone and he is relieved of the physical effects stress and his body returns to normal state.Another example is the stress caused by over-exercise. It is better to get some guidance before you do any exercise. For example, you can go through sites like to get info on six-pack exercises.

Long Term Effects of stress

When the stress factor is persistent or repetitive, the body keeps secreting the stress hormones and their blood levels remain continuously at a higher level and hence the associated functional adjustments. The body now experiences stress with extra burden due to the side effects of the persistently high stress hormones. Some irreversible physiological damages of the brain and related stress physical symptoms like organ damage are caused by these substances. The manifestations could be

Chronic head ache
Mood swings
Anxiety disorder
Substance abuse
Memory disturbances
Heart attack due increased blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol
Stroke due to similar reasons
Weight loss
Exacerbation of allergies including asthma
Irritable Bowel disease
Ischemic Bowel disease like Crohn's disease
Decreased sexual drive
Sleeplessness

Even when the stress factor is absent some of these physical and physiological effects of stress persist unless steps are taken to treat them.

Let us take the same example. If the person fails in the exam, he loses the opportunity of getting a job and a financial security. The stress factor persists as he is jobless and has financial insecurity. He gets affected by the above mentioned symptoms. Even if he learns to live without a job some of the above mentioned conditions like substance abuse may persist.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post traumatic stress disorder is a delayed reaction to an exceptionally stressful situation or a life threatening event where the person feels helpless. After a dormant period the person re-experiences the past traumatic events as 'flash backs', or dreams and tries to avoid any stimuli or situation which reminds of the past trauma. The symptoms include