The Why am I always Sick Series part II – Stress and Fatigue
Posted on: 08 September, 2009 | Filed under: news
The most common complaints in holistic practices are often those of 'burn-out', depression, anxiety as well as insomnia. Many, if not most, of the diseases today can be linked to poor lifestyle and unresolved emotional issues. Our modern world is taking its toll with an increase in competitiveness and information overload, as well as a development of time urgency.
The PNEI (Psycho-Neuro-Endocrine-Immune) interactions form a common language for the whole body in which diseases such as metabolic syndrome and autoimmune diosorders, as well as diseases which are affected by the gut-brain connection, find common denominators.
If we need to mention one factor above all else, it must be the chronic stress hormone, cortisol. The physiological role of cortisol as a stress hormone is complex, but it seems its main role is to prevent the defense mechanism from overshooting in its response to prolonged stress. In the short-term, acute stress is mediated via the adrenergic system, but this cannot be sustained. If the stress is prolonged, as we see with our modern lifestyles, cortisol will be the hormone of choice. However, should this become too prolonged, we see the characteristic detrimental effects of cortisol, which has an effect on so many tissues
In the immune system, we see a shift towards a TH1 dominant condition in 'short time stress', but this is very short lived, as the continuous secretion of cortisol from the adrenal glands will cause a TH2 state, thus eventually increasing the risk for allergy, but also for diseases which need the TH1 pathway to be eliminated. These, of course, include deep viral infections, such as EBV and CMV (chronic fatigue syndromes), fungal infections and even cancer.
In the gut, we see that the hypothalamic hormone called cortico-releasing hormone, has receptors in the gut lining which cause an increase in the permeability of the gut with the resulting vicious cycles of allergy, intoxication, liver overload, and even systemic disease which is triggered by the antigens leaking through the gut lining.
The role of cortisol in cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome is becoming clearer. Central obesity is one of the metabolic actions of cortisol, and insulin resistance is a natural sequel. Cortisol, a catabolic hormone, also shares a receptor with, for instance, the anabolic hormone testosterone in the muscle. If cortisol is constantly excreted at high levels over time, we see a displacement of testosterone, with resulting muscle atrophy and underperformance.
The diurnal rhythm of cortisol is especially important here, as the ebb phase when it goes down at midnight is a time where the slightly inflammatory state can clear up any diseased tissues in the matrix and also release toxins in the bloodstream. Insomnia and overwork will disturb this vital cycle, and keep cortisol up at night. This cleansing action cannot therefore take place and it is thus of extreme importance to restore the sleep cycle to allow for this. If the degradation and repair is disturbed, we see a rigid, toxic state which will prevent proper cell-to-cell communication. This will result in cellular disease and eventually chronic disorders.
Cortisol may also have a direct effect on the mitochondria, and with prolonged secretion can interfere with ATP production. Lastly, if cortisol is secreted in a too high and prolonged fashion, the brain suffers directly. Cortisol has receptors in the brain, which it shares with aldosterone. The balance between these two hormones is needed to lay down long-term memory. If the cortisol displaces the aldosterone from its receptor, this is not possible. Newer evidence suggests that cortisol also can cause the loss of neurones in the vital parts responsible for memory, so that it plays a role in dementia. In addition, cortisol has an effect on the autonomic nervous system, and will increase the secretion of noradrenaline over time. This will give rise to palpitations, anxiety syndromes, or in other patients, to the cardiovascular disease mentioned above.
In a holistic system, such as Homotoxicology, we can effectively deal with all the effects of chronic stress, by applying the fundamentals of Homotoxicology.
Please Contact us if you require assistance in dealing with chronic stress and all its related disorders.