Stress is a part of life for most people, and your body is actually designed to properly react to stressful situations. Stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, are released into the body when your system senses danger of some kind. These hormones cause your blood pressure to rise and your senses to sharpen; both of which speed up your reaction time, increase your strength, and enhance your focus. This reaction is not only normal for humans, it is necessary to get us through frightening scenarios.
Stress becomes problematic, however, when it becomes chronic. For seniors, high levels of stress can be especially debilitating. Add in the anxiety that can occur during the holiday season, and stress can really begin to cause problems or aggravate health issues which are already present.
Stress Reactions Aggravate Health Issues
The stress reaction is supposed to be reserved for infrequent circumstances. It is not supposed to be a constant reaction to everyday life. There are many adverse reactions which can occur when the stress hormones are released into the body on a regular basis.
Immune System Suppression
Many people have noticed that when they are under a lot of stress, they get sick. This is due to the fact that stress is known to suppress the immune system, minimizing your ability to effectively fend off illness. In general, older adults and senior citizens are already more susceptible to illness, as our immune systems naturally slack off as we get older. Therefore, stress can much more easily allow a sickness to affect them, and the recovery time is likely to be extended. This is not only the case with colds and flu; a weakened immune system can make it difficult to fight heart disease, cancer and more.
Heart Problems
When your body sense stress, it floods your system with adrenaline. Adrenaline elevates blood pressure levels and heart rate. These situations can prove to be very dangerous for seniors in and of themselves, but stress can also cause a person to drink too much alcohol or overeat – activities which damage arteries, blood vessels, and further increase the risk of heart disease.
Hearing and Vision Loss
Adrenaline production constricts blood vessels. Chronic stress means that blood vessels may remain constricted over a long period of time, and this can cause scary adverse reactions – such as temporary hearing and vision impairment. For seniors already dealing with a loss of these sensory capabilities, the condition may not only be disconcerting or annoying, but dangerous.
Digestive Problems
Many people report that when they are stressed, they “feel a pit in their stomach” or worse, “feel sick to their stomach.” This nausea is the result of stress levels forcing your central nervous system into “fight or flight” mode. Because the blood vessels constrict, blood flow to the digestive muscles is significantly reduced, and necessary digestive secretions are also constrained. Over time, chronic stress can result in serious medical health issues, such as ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome.
Dental Issues
Simply because of the age of the teeth and the wear they experience over a lifetime, dental issues are common in senior citizens. They are far more prone to fractures and cavities, especially as stress causes clenching of the teeth and jaw, and may even result in seniors grinding their teeth and doing damage.
It is clear to see that stress can be the catalyst for many other health issues. Therefore it should be a priority to ensure that seniors experience as little stress as possible. At A Banyan Residence, we are dedicated to ensuring that your loved one lives a full and fulfilling life as much as possible. If you are looking for a caring and competent Venice assisted living facility, we would love to speak with you.
