Stress on the Brain

Those aggravating things that go wrong in the day and those irritating things that go bump in the night disrupting routines and interrupting sleep all have a cumulative effect on your brain, especially its ability to remember and learn. As science gains greater insight into the consequences of stress on the brain, the picture that emerges is not a pretty one. A chronic overreaction to stress overloads the brain with powerful hormones that are intended only for short-term duty in emergency situations. Their cumulative effect damages and kills brain cells.

How Your Brain Responds to Stress Attack of the Adrenals-A Metabolic Story
The ambulance siren screams its warning to get out of the way. You cant move your car because youre stuck in a bumper-to-bumper traffic jam that reaches as far as the eye can see. There must be an accident up ahead. Meanwhile the road construction crew a few feet from your car is jack-hammering the pavement. You are about to enter the stress zone. Inside your body the alert goes out. "Attention all parasympathetic forces. Urgent. Adrenal gland missile silos mounted atop kidneys have just released chemical cortisol weapons of brain destruction. Mobilize all internal defenses. Launch immediate counter-calm hormones before hippocampus is hammered by cortisol." Hormones rush to your adrenal glands to suppress the streaming cortisol on its way to your brain. Other hormones rush to your brain to round up all the remnants of cortisol missles that made it to your hippocampus. These hormones escort the cortisol remnants back to Kidneyland for a oneway ride on the Bladderhorn. You have now reached metabolic equilibrium, also known as homeostasis.

Inside Homeostasis
When a danger finally passes or the perceived threat is over, your brain initiates a reverse course of action that releases a different bevy of biochemicals throughout your body. Attempting to bring you back into balance, your brain seeks the holy grail of "homeostasis," that elusive state of metabolic equilibrium between the stimulating and the tranquilizing chemical forces in your body. If either the one of the stimulating or tranquilizing chemical forces dominates the other without relief, then you will experience an on-going state of internal imbalance. This condition is known as stress. And it can have serious consequences for your brain cells.

Parasympathetic and Sympathetic Nervous System

The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) turns on the fight or flight response. In contrast, the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) promotes the relaxation response. Like two tug-of-war teams skillfully supporting their rope with a minimum of tension, the SNS and PNS carefully maintain metabolic equilibrium by making adjustments whenever something disturbs this balance. The strongmen on these teams are hormones, the chemical messengers produced by endocrine glands. Named after a Greek word meaning "to set in motion," hormones travel through the bloodstream to accelerate or suppress metabolic functions. The trouble is that some stress hormones don't know when to quit pulling. They remain active in the brain for too long injuring and even killing cells in the hippocampus, the area of your brain needed for memory and learning. Because of this hierarchical dominance of the SNS over the

PNS, it often requires conscious effort to initiate your relaxation response and reestablish metabolic equilibrium.

The Emotional Brain- Limbic System

The primary area of the brain that deals with stress is its limbic system. Because of its enormous influence on emotions and memory, the limbic system is often referred to as the emotional brain. It is also called the mammalian brain, because it emerged with the evolution with our warmblooded relatives, and marked the beginning of social cooperation in the animal kingdom. Whenever you perceive a threat, imminent or imagined, your limbic system immediately responds via your autonomic nervous system the complex network of endocrine glands that automatically regulates metabolism. The term "stress" is short for distress, a word evolved from Latin that means "to draw or pull apart." The Romans even used the term districtia to describe "a being torn asunder." When stressed-out, most of us can probably relate to this description.

Distress Signals from Your Brain

Your sympathetic nervous system does an excellent job of rapidly preparing you to deal with what is perceived as a threat to your safety. Its hormones initiate several metabolic processes that best allow you to cope with sudden danger. Your adrenal glands release adrenaline (also known as epinephrine) and other hormones that increase breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. This moves more oxygen-rich blood faster to the brain and to the muscles needed for fighting or fleeing. And, you have plenty of energy to do either, because adrenaline causes a rapid release of glucose and fatty acids into your bloodstream. Also, your senses become keener, your memory sharper, and you are less sensitive to pain. Other hormones shut down functions unnecessary during the emergency. Growth, reproduction, and the immune system all go on hold. Blood flow to the skin is reduced. That's why chronic stress leads to sexual dysfunction, increases your chances of getting sick, and often manifests as skin ailments. With your mind and body in this temporary state of metabolic overdrive, you are now prepared to respond to a life-threatening situation.

Getting Back to Normal

After a perceived danger has passed, your body then tries to return to normal. But this may not be so easy, and becomes even more difficult with age. Although the hyperactivating sympathetic nervous system jumps into action immediately, it is very slow to shut down and allow the tranquilizing parasympathetic nervous system to calm things down. Once your stress response has been activated, the system wisely keeps you in a state of readiness.

Stress is Not All Bad

Bear in mind that an appropriate stress response is a healthy and necessary part of life. One of the things it does is to release norepinephrine, one of the principal excitatory neurotransmitters. Norepinephrine is needed to create new memories. It improves mood. Problems feel more like challenges, which encourages creative thinking that stimulates your brain to grow new connections within itself. Stress management is the key, not stress elimination. The challenge in this day and age is to not let the sympathetic nervous system stay chronically aroused. This may require knowledge of techniques that work to activate your relaxation response.

Stress Compromises the Blood-Brain Barrier

Stress can dramatically increase the ability of chemicals to pass through the blood-brain barrier. During the Gulf War, Israeli soldiers took a drug to protect themselves from chemical and biological weapons. Normally, it should not have crossed the BBB, but scientists learned that the stress of war had somehow increased the permeability of the BBB. Nearly one-quarter of the soldiers complained of headaches, nausea, and dizziness symptoms which occur only if the drug reaches the brain.

The BBB (Blood Brain Barrier)

Permeating the human brain are 400 miles of blood vessels providing nutrients, fuel, and oxygen, while removing waste and excess heat. The capillaries in this vascular system also comprise what is called the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a protective network unique to the central nervous system. Present in all vertebrate brains, the BBB is laid down within the first trimester of human fetal life. Although far from perfect, it does shield neurons from some poisons, viruses, and other toxins in the bloodstream as well as from unpredictable fluctuations in normal blood chemistry.

Primary and Secondary BBB

The primary BBB is formed by cerebral capillaries that are different from those elsewhere in the body. Most capillary walls contain tiny openings called "slit pores" that permit molecules to diffuse easily into the surrounding tissue somewhat like a soaker hose. Cerebral capillaries do not have these clefts. They are lined with firmly connected endothelial cells, whose intercellular junctions are as tight as any in biology. Molecules must pass through cerebral capillary walls by active transport with certain carrier molecules, instead of through slit pores. The secondary BBB surrounds the cerebral capillaries. It is composed of "glial" cells, the other family of brain cells that outnumber neurons by a factor of ten. Certain types of glial cells form a buffer between the brain's capillaries and its neurons. These support cells further obstruct toxins from the bloodstream, while regulating the correct flow of necessary nutrients.

Stress and Memory

Chronic over-secretion of stress hormones adversely affects brain function, especially memory. Too much cortisol can prevent the brain from laying down a new memory, or from accessing already existing memories. The renowned brain researcher, Robert M. Sapolsky, has shown that sustained stress can damage the hippocampus , the part of the limbic brain which is central to learning and memory. The culprits are "glucocorticoids," a class of steroid hormones secreted from the adrenal glands during stress. They are more commonly know as corticosteroids or cortisol . During a perceived threat, the adrenal glands immediately release adrenalin. If the threat is severe or still persists after a couple of minutes, the adrenals then release cortisol. Once in the brain cortisol remains much longer than adrenalin, where it continues to affect brain cells.

Stress causes changes in your body.

It also affects your emotions. How stress affects the body

Common symptoms of stress include: A fast heartbeat. A headache. A stiff neck and/or tight shoulders. Back pain. Fast breathing. Sweating, and sweaty palms. An upset stomach, nausea, or diarrhea. Over time, stress can affect your:1 Immune system. Constant stress can make you more likely to get sick more often. And if you have a chronic illness such as AIDS, stress can make your symptoms worse. Heart. Stress is linked to high blood pressure, abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia), blood clots, and hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). It's also linked to coronary artery disease, heart attack, and heart failure. Muscles. Constant tension from stress can lead to neck, shoulder, and low back pain. Stress may make rheumatoid arthritis worse. Stomach. If you have stomach problems, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease, or irritable bowel syndrome, stress can make your symptoms worse. Reproductive organs. Stress is linked to low fertility, erection problems, problems during pregnancy, and painful menstrual periods. Lungs. Stress can make symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) worse. Skin. Skin problems such as acne and psoriasis are made worse by stress. How stress affects your thoughts and emotions You might notice signs of stress in the way you think, act, and feel. You may: Feel cranky and unable to deal with even small problems. Feel frustrated, lose your temper more often, and yell at others for no reason. Feel jumpy or tired all the time. Find it hard to focus on tasks. Worry too much about small things. Feel that you are missing out on things because you can't act quickly. Imagine that bad things are happening or about to happen. How stress affects you depends on many things, such as: Your personality. What you have learned from your family about responding to stress. How you think about and handle stress. See: Click here to view an Actionset.Positive Thinking: Stopping Unwanted Thoughts. Your coping strategies(What is a PDF document?). Your social support. The type of stress matters Stress can affect you both instantly (acute stress) and over time (chronic stress). Acute (short-term) stress is the body's instant response to any situation that seems demanding or

dangerous. Your stress level depends on how intense the stress is, how long it lasts, and how you cope with the situation. Most of the time, your body recovers quickly from acute stress. But stress can cause problems if it happens too often or if your body doesn't have a chance to recover. In people with heart problems, acute stress can trigger an abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia) or even a heart attack. Chronic (long-term) stress is caused by stressful situations or events that last over a long period of time. This could include having a difficult job or dealing with a chronic disease. If you already have a health problem, stress can make it worse. Author: Healthwise Staff Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

Ways to Avoid

Stress
From Healthwise You recommend this50%You don't recommend this50% Shared 25 times Stress is a part of life, and you can't always avoid it. But you can try to avoid situations that can cause it, and you can control how you respond to it. The first step is knowing your own coping strategies. Try using a stress journal to record stressful events, your response to them, and how you coped. After you know what is causing your stress, try making some changes in your life that will help you avoid stressful situations. Here are a few ideas: Manage your time Time management is a way to find the time for more of the things you want and need to do. It helps you decide which things are urgent and which can wait. Managing your time can make your life easier, less stressful, and more meaningful. For more information, see: Click here to view an Actionset.Stress Management: Managing Your Time. Look at your lifestyle The choices you make about the way you live affect your stress level. Your lifestyle may not cause stress on its own, but it can prevent your body from recovering from it. Try to: Find a balance between personal, work, and family needs. This isn't easy. Start by looking at how you spend your time. Maybe there are things that you don't need to do at all. Finding a balance can be especially hard during the holidays. For help, see: Quick Tips: Reducing Holiday Stress. Have a sense of purpose in life. Many people find meaning through connections with family, friends, jobs, or volunteer work. Get enough sleep. Your body recovers from the stresses of the day while you are sleeping. For more information, see: Click here to view an Actionset.Insomnia: Improving Your Sleep. Adopt healthy habits.Eat a healthy diet, limit how much alcohol you drink, and don't smoke.

Staying healthy is your best defense against stress. Exercise. Even moderate exercise, such as taking a daily walk, can reduce stress. Get support Support in your life from family, friends, and your community has a big impact on how you experience stress. Having support in your life can help you stay healthy. Support means having the love, trust, and advice of others. But support can also be something more concrete, like time or money. It can be hard to ask for help. But doing so doesn't mean you're weak. If you're feeling stressed, you can look for support from: Family and friends. Coworkers, or people you know through hobbies or other interests. A professional counselor. (See tips for finding a counselor or therapist.) People you know from church, or a member of the clergy. Employee assistance programs at work, or stress management classes. Support groups. These can be very helpful if your stress is caused by a special situation. Maybe you are a caregiver for someone who is elderly or has a chronic illness. For more help, see: Quick Tips: Reducing the Stress of Caregiving. Change your thinking Stressful events can make you feel bad about yourself. You might start focusing on only the bad and not the good in a situation. That's called negative thinking. It can make you feel afraid, insecure, depressed, or anxious. It's also common to feel a lack of control or self-worth. Negative thinking can trigger your body's stress response, just as a real threat does. Dealing with these negative thoughts and the way you see things can help reduce stress. You can learn these techniques on your own, or you can get help from a counselor. Here are some ideas: Positive thinking helps you cope with a problem by changing the way you think. How you think affects how you feel. See the topic Positive Thinking, or try: Click here to view an Actionset.Positive Thinking: Stopping Unwanted Thoughts. Problem solving helps you identify all aspects of a stressful event, find things you may be able to change, and deal with things you can't change. Assertive communication helps you express how you feel in a thoughtful, tactful way. Not being able to talk about your needs and concerns creates stress and can make negative feelings worse. See:

Stress Management: Reducing Stress by Being Assertive.

Author: Healthwise Staff Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions. Neurological Symptoms of Stress By Michael Hinckley, eHow Contributor

Print this article Stress is the friction that allows our minds to accomplish tasks on a deadline and to perform complicated tasks, and it is a motivator to push our limits. Too much stress, however, can severely affect the brain and cause problems and symptoms similar to neurological disorders. Knowing some of the signs of excess stress can help you find ways to alleviate stress and take back your life and health. As with any medical condition, stress can lead to a number of complications, so it is advisable to seek professional medical help as soon as possible. Related Searches: Anxiety Stress Management Be Stress Free Identification Stress causes the brain to release corticosteroids into the endocrine system. These corticosteroids cause the heart rate to increase, raise blood pressure and heighten alertness. Over time, this shift into high gear causes damage to the brain and body that manifests as a variety of disorders, particularly mental dysfunction. Sleep One of the earliest neurological symptoms of too much stress is alterations in sleep patterns. Insomnia (the inability to sleep) is common, and shortened sleep patterns, troubling dreams resulting in restless nights, shallow sleep (the inability to fall completely asleep and enter the regenerative phase of your daily cycle), sleepwalking and a feeling of tiredness after sleep also are possible. Sleep deprivation exacerbates other stress symptoms and can lead to other, nonneurological health problems. Behavioral Stress and lack of proper sleep also contribute to behavioral changes sometimes associated with neurological disorders. They can include rapid mood swings, lashing out or volatile temper, nervousness, anxiety or a feeling of impending doom, an inability to concentrate and excessive worry. Sometimes patients mistake these symptoms for brain tumors or other disorders, which only heightens their stress cycle. Other symptoms Other symptoms of too much stress can include sexual impotence or disinterest in sex, headaches, restlessness, loss of appetite, and dizziness or feeling light headed. These are generally caused by the constant corticosteroid infusion into the nervous system. Prevention/Solution There are several ways to deal with stress, most of which do not require medication. Exercise and weight loss tend to counter the corticosteroids with dopamine and endorphins, two powerful hormones that infuse the body with a sense of well-being and pleasure. Additionally, remove stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine and some narcotics (such as cocaine) to give the brain time to slow down and slow production of corticosteroids. Finally, professional psychological help can assist in altering the way you deal with challenges and stress, thus altering your body's chemical response. Schizophreniawww.earthhouse.org Unique Mental Health Care Treatment Hope for Mental Health Issues Parkinson's diseasewww.parkinsons-voices.eu Learn how one can react to the daily challenges of living with PD 5 Ways to Help Baby Sleepwww.SleepThroughNight.com

Tear-free tips to help your baby sleep through the night Cerebellar AtrophyWww.nsccenter.Com Neural Stem Cell Treatment for Cerebellar Atrophy(CP)in China. Ads by Google References Healthline; Stress MedHelp; Stress and Anxiety NIH; Stress Read more: Neurological Symptoms of Stress | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_5333098_neurological-symptoms-stress.html#ixzz1g9cIqUan