Download click here - Whole Health Solutions

Does Stress Increase Your Risk For Cancer?
Description: Stress can include physical illness, as well as mental and emotional stress. Any kind of
stress can trigger the sympathetic nervous system, what we call the “fight or flight”
response. This simultaneously shuts down the parasympathetic nervous system, which
creates “rest and repair”.
Nature originally intended the “fight or flight” response to be something that happened
infrequently, and only lasted a brief time. In our modern culture, where stressors can
last months or years, this leads to chronically suppressed “rest and repair”, allowing
chronic wear and tear to accumulate without restoring the balance needed for good
health.
The effects of stress on the body include; restlessness, shortness of breath, headache,
heart palpitations, stomach upsets, difficulty with decisions, mood swings, muscle
tension, sweating, loose stools, disturbed sleep and irregular sleep patterns. Some of
the behavior patterns associated with stress include anger outbursts, an increase in
smoking, crying, irritability, relationship problems, overeating or eating when you're not
hungry.
Stress has many damaging effects on the body and research is now linking them to an
increased risk of cancer.
Article:
Everyone has experienced stress-induced headaches, neck pain, or digestive upsets at
one time or another. Nothing serious, right? Well, new research suggests that
psychological stress may actually increase the risk of cancer.
Stress And Colorectal Cancer
In one study, researchers found that people who reported they had suffered from
workplace problems over a 10-year period had more than five times the risk of
colorectal cancer as those who reported no workplace problems, even when diet and
other risk factors were the same.
Stress And Cell Damage
Animal studies show that rats subjected to stress undergo DNA changes in the cells of
their livers that, if unchecked, could lead to cancer-causing mutations. Other studies
show that stressed animals are more susceptible to cancer-causing substances in the
environment.
A Weakened Immune System
Stress is thought to weaken the immune system. A strong immune system is needed to
destroy damaged cells that could lead to cancer.
Coping With Stress
Stress is a part of everyone’s life. Deadlines at work, traffic jams, family conflict, the
death of a loved one, even positive changes, such as a new job or a marriage, are all
forms of stress. A little stress is actually a good thing, providing the challenge that
makes life worth living. But, too much stress can harm you mentally and physically.
If you suffer from chronic stress, you can do something about it. At Whole Health Solutions, we take
all stress seriously. Your life, and your quality of life depend on it. Talk to us about learning simple
stress reducing exercises and lifestyle changes that could save your life.