Stressed? Say Hello To Diabetes And Other Health Problems

You may think that everyone is stressed out by their relationship or their job, but even if that’s normal, your stress could have detrimental effects on your wellbeing. According to new research, published in the journal Diabetic Medicine, if you’re permanently stressed at work or at home, you are significantly more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and other health problems. I’m sure that calmed you right down!

For the study, which was conducted at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, 7000 men with no previous history of diabetes, heart disease or stroke had their stress levels tested over a 35-year period. The researchers did this by using a six-point scale which indicated no stress, periodic stress or permanent stress, and adjusted their findings for other diabetes risk factors such as high blood pressure, age and physical activity.

The results were that the men who reported permanent stress were 45% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. The researchers confirmed, ‘Self-perceived permanent stress is an important long-term predictor of diagnosed diabetes, independently of socio-economic status, BMI and other conventional type 2 diabetes risk factors.’ But how?

Whether you are over-committed to your work responsibilities, part of a dysfunctional family, feeling pressured by a lack of time or money or there are difficulties in your personal relationships, your stress can lead to disease. Any form of stress activates the fight or flight response in your brain, where your hypothalamus sends nerve and hormone signals to activate the adrenal glands at the top of your kidneys. These, in turn, release hormones called adrenaline and cortisol.

Adrenaline increases your heart rate and blood pressure, whilst cortisol increases the levels of sugar in your blood stream. This, in particular, causes inflammation, insulin resistance and, as a result, type 2 diabetes. Plus, if your relationship is causing you stress, then your stress will make your relationship even worse thanks to this hormone.

Cortisol shuts down functions that would be nonessential in the fight or flight response, but are important in a relationship. For example, erectile dysfunction is a major side effect of chronic stress and uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, and your fight or flight response also alters regions of the brain that control arousal, mood, motivation and fear. So the next time you’re stressed at work or home, take a deep breath, go for a walk, or try a bit of yoga; your relationship, and your wellness, may depend on it.