Q – Can stress have an impact on the health of Phoenix seniors? Is the expression “stress kills” true? And if so, why?

A – Stress kills; it’s true. For the American elderly in particular, stress can have a grave effect on health. Chronic stress can have an impact upon the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal health of a senior, not to mention the psychological effects that can include severe anxiety and depression. For seniors, inadequate stress management can have very serious consequences including death.

A recent study has proven exactly why stress has a negative effect on health, and the culprit is a hormone called neuropeptide Y (NPY), which prevents proper hormone functioning. According to Professor Fabienne Mackay, lead researcher on the study, “During periods of stress, nerves release a lot of NPY and it gets into the bloodstream, where it directly impacts on the cells in the immune system that look out for and destroy pathogens (bacteria and viruses) in the body,”

Sources:

1. Medical News Today
2. Medicine Online
3. The American Institute of Stress

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Home Care Central Phoenix and Home Care Greater Phoenix provides elder care and senior care in Phoenix. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602-265-8228 or 480-991-3959.