5 Ways in Which Stress Affect Your Immune System
Source: Healthline
Source: Healthline
Chronic stress can negatively impact the immune system in several ways, making the body more susceptible to infections and illness. Here's how stress can affect your immune function:
Stress triggers the release of cortisol, a hormone that can suppress the effectiveness of the immune system. High levels of cortisol over time reduce the body's ability to produce white blood cells, essential for fighting infections.
While short-term stress can lead to an increase in the immune response, chronic stress can cause prolonged inflammation. This persistent inflammation weakens the immune system.
Stress can alter the way immune cells function, reducing their ability to recognize and attack pathogens. This can make the body more vulnerable to viruses and bacteria.
Chronic stress has been shown to slow down the body's ability to heal wounds. This is because stress reduces the production of proteins involved in the healing process and overall tissue repair is compromised.
Stress can disrupt the gut microbiome, which plays a crucial role in supporting the immune system. A stressed gut can lead to an imbalance in good and bad bacteria, weakening overall immunity.
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