Upon becoming chronic, stress can cause emotional damage, especially in people with chronic diseases, such as diabetes or hypertension.
In this way, when the stress level is high and is repetitively presented in diabetes patients, it can contribute to the development of the complications of the disease, such as diabetic retinopathy, neuropathic pain, renal damage and ulcerationson the feet.
"This is because it impacts blood glucose levels and increases them," said Dr. Psychology Arturo del Castillo Arreola, professor-investigator of the Academic Area of Psychology at the University of the State of Hidalgo (UAEH), inMexico.In addition, always according to the specialist, "accelerates heartbeat and raises blood pressure, which represents an important coronary risk factor for those who have hypertension."
It has been observed that many people who have suffered a myocardial or brain infarction have been subjected to a strong stress load for years."However, it is important to clarify that other factors are also associated, such as inheritance, sedentary lifestyle, excessive intake of fat and salt, as well as smoking," explained the doctor.
But stress not only generates damage at the physiological level, since when it is high it has effects on the behavioral aspect, since a kind of blockage is manifested and it is difficult to solve problems and meet daily activities.Likewise, anxiety prevails in the affective field, although fear of disease may also appear.
In the somatic aspect, body pain is experienced and repeated episodes of flu or other infections are presented;While in the field of interpersonal, if he does not receive support from loved ones, the patient isolates himself and experiences continuous domestic problems.
When experiencing a high stress load, excessive activity is generated in nervous, endocrine and immune systems, as well as in the so -called complementary ones, such as sympathetic (mobilizes energy reserves in emergency states) and parasympathetic (whose function consistsin conserving and storing these reservations).
“In response to these physiological changes, different hormones are secreted, such as norepinephrine, adrenaline and cortisol.The first two cause an increase in blood pressure, and the last one moves the energy stored in the body (glucose), ”said Dr. del Castillo Arreola;Who has said that “humans respond to the stimuli in varied ways, but what makes the difference is the way in which each one values them.It is worth asking ""
Stress control, along with a balanced diet and some physical activity, help reduce glucose levels and blood pressure.In this sense, Dr. del Castillo Arreola has indicated that lifestyle changes are necessary, so the doctor's work is fundamental because it allows the patient to acquire the necessary tools to face the medical problem.
