Identifying the Effects of Stress on MS

Friday, March 07, 2014 SPORK! 0 Comments

• Stress is a daily fact of life.  It is our response to stressors which can be healthy or harmful.  Stress helps to keep us focused.  In response to situations which are perceived to be potentially dangerous, stress hormones, such as cortisol, adrenaline, and epinephrine, are released by the adrenal glands.  This is part of the “fight or flight” response which helps to keep us safe.
  
  
  For example, a driver zooms past you on the highway and starts to cut you off.  You don’t have to think about it, your body releases stress hormones and gives you the mental and physical boost you need to react quickly and steer out of harm’s way.  Your heart is pounding and extra oxygen is pumped to the brain.  Extra glucose is released to fuel your muscles and resources are diverted away from your immune, digestive, or reproductive systems.  Once out of danger, your bodily functions return to normal.
•