I was speaking with someone about some information she heard on the Anderson Cooper TV show. While that show was about divorce (four key errors that will indicate you are bound to divorce), Dr. Gottman mentioned something that intrigued her. That feelings of contempt (which is a form of stress) damages one’s immune system.
I explained to her this fact has been known for a while. Back in 2000, with a MacArthur grant, a group of researchers at Ohio State University found that stressful situations affect our immune system. It turns out that stress disrupts the communication between various elements of our body- the nervous system, the endocrine system, and our immune system. Once the chemical messages have been blocked, these three vital systems no longer can work in concert.
Data indicate that glucocorticoids (stress hormones) are produced continually in low amounts when the body is subjected to long-term stress. These hormones react upon the thymus (where lymphocytes, a critical component of the immune system, are produced) and also inhibit cytokine and interleukin productions (which affect the ability of our white blood cell functions).
So, why was this person interested in this issue. She works with caregivers, typically family members caring for an ailing spouse or an ailing parent. And, we know that these caregivers have long-term stress issues. Oh, they love the people for whom they care, but it’s still stressful. And, those folks in the sandwich generation and older that provide care for loved ones have higher than average levels of cortisol (a stress hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands). And, it is possible that this activity causes the adrenals to secrete fewer antibodies (which, in this case, were responding to the influenza vaccine, as reported by Drs. Desai and Chibnall [St. Louis University Medical School] in the Lancet)
In addition, some caregivers for Alzheimer’s patients (spouses) have been found to have lowered T cell activity. (To learn more about T cells in the immune system, check here. The post also has a good diagram.) These lymphocytes affect cellular immunity. The problem is the caregivers affected most are those that have the least amount of additional help and the fewest number of friends. (In other words, they were isolated, which augments the stress levels.)
We also know that massages reduce our stress levels. (No. not that kind- not going there!) And, data exists proving that massages are associated with more responsive immune systems. (You can find a layman’s explanation here.)
So, these are all the reasons why caregivers need to insure they have some time off. To recoup. To reduce the stess levels in their bodies. And, they need to insure that they have the time to interact with friends, which also elevates our general happiness levels. So, they can stay healthy- and care for their loved ones.
An earlier version of this blog was a guest post (23 April 2012) on Sequoia Senior Solutions blog (since shut down). SSS provides assistance to elderly patients and their families (in Northern California) with affordable and reliable caregivers.
I have heard that stress is bad for your health so many different times. I live in an area with a lot of military and their families. Believe it or not military wives are under a great deal of stress while their husbands are in active service. So I bet the same could be said about them.
shawn recently posted..Recipe Day: Spicy Jalapeno-Shrimp Pasta
Shawn:
Yes, the stress that families rent asunder- even for temporary reasons- is just as “stressful” as would be for caregivers and the like.
Great addition to the discussion.
Roy
Thank you, Roy. You are so smart. Of course if you wrote it for one, you can put it in your own blog. Thanks for the link at the bottom. We all need stress relief or we will be sick all the time. You can’t put that information out on enough places.
Ann recently posted..Determining Marketing Strategies — 6th Marketing Ball Stragegy
Yes, Ann, I brought out some new facets and added it to my queue, so that others- those that don’t visit your blog- could gain benefit, too. And, perhaps, even visit yours, as well.
Roy
I agree about stress being harmful in general. But I wonder about people who drive themselves crazy almost intentionally that seem to thrive on that stress. Perhaps there’s a “good” hormone that comes out of that? Just perhaps for some folks?
Carolina HeartStrings recently posted..WORDLESS WEDNESDAY
I am not sure people really thrive on stress. You may be stressed watching them, you may feel stress when they do what they do, but they are probably NOT stressed under the conventional definitions. As such, they may perform better than you under similar conditions, Alessa.
Great distillation of these bio-chemical impacts on our mental and physical well being!
Tor Constantino recently posted..12 Marathons in 12 Months for Wounded Soliders
And, we all want to stay focused and able to run the marathons- real or virtual, Tor!
Hello Dr. Ackerman,
Great Post!
In my own personal experience as a caregiver for the past 7 years I believe I am living proof that stress affects one’s immune system. My recent medical history is an accurate barometer of stress levels related events that raised or lowered those stress levels. On my part, perhaps unscientific, but I have adjusted my lifestyle and diet to help reduce stress, and in fact…massages do help to reduce it. I have seen positive results in myself and others from deep muscle massage. I recommend it.
Thank you for the great post.
Ron:
I believe that your stress level is, as you say, affecting your “medical barometer”. It’s why when folks are tired they are more susceptible to diseases- that’s another form of stress. It’s why men are more prey to diseases as they age, if they are alone. (Don’t get me started about what this means that women aren’t 🙂 )….
Thanks for dropping in and giving more examples of why this is critical information.
Roy
Hey Dr. A!
It is one of the things I teach when I do grief groups, that it is a wise thing to follow up with your doctor at least once or twice after a loss, and care giving. It is not uncommon for widows/ers to develop diseases and in worse cases die not long after their spouse. I developed high blood pressure after my husband and father passed, which I got under control with a change in diet and activity, but the second round of losses found me back on a beta blocker for the BP again. (and of course you read about the cardiac tests ect) Soooo I am in complete agreement with you here (which I normally am) and think this is a great article, shared and will share on FB!
Lisa Brandel recently posted..Patchwork And Cross by Lisa Brandel
Great addition, here, Lisa. Thanks so much for bringing another group into the discussion- which is exactly why comments are desired. To insure that we cover the material properly.
Roy
So true. Stress is one of our biggest enemies. And it is such a difficult thing to keep under control. I’ve also found guided meditation to be helpful as well as deep breathing. Though both take practice and time, which caregivers often don’t take for themselves. Thanks for a great post, Roy!
Suerae Stein recently posted..Cackling Yellow…
Yes, Suerae, you are absolutely correct. We need to develop the habit of employing stress-reducing activities- not just once a day, but throughout the waking hours- to insure we maintain our ability to do whatever it is we want- or must do!
Roy
I am definitely one who knows about stress on the endocrine system! Thanks for the reminder to recoup every now and again!
Lauren Huston recently posted..Mother’s Day and Social Media
Thanks for your visit and comment, Lauren. Oh, and we all need reminders!
Roy
Interesting how much stress affects our lives. Now if we could affect the stressors in our life and reduce them we would be peaceful but I wonder if we now live in a world where stress is so normal that it really affects our world negatively and we need to keep up our personal sense of well being. Its all about knowing thyself. Something we are carefully taught to forget and yet it gives rise to so many other problems.
Roberta Budvietas, recently posted..Contests build fans!
Touche, Roberta. Great points, all. Now, if we’d only keep this primary in our minds…
Caregivers must take care of themselves. As they stay healthy and strong, taking care the one they love, their patients will surely be well done. Reality is, stress, depression can’t take away from them and taking themselves time to off is a must too. They just risk their own good if they still want to their job.
In home health care recently posted..ACCESSIBLE HOME HEALTH CARE NAMES BLUEGRASS AND MID CAROLINA AS ITS FRANCHISES OF THE FIRST QUARTER
Absolutely correct, April/Andy! Thanks for making that point.
Roy
I thank you for your approbation! I am honored..