My Nursing Uniforms - H1N1 Stress May Trigger Weaker Immune Systems

In the world of pandemics and the emergence of the second wave H1N1 news, with worries about getting sick, avoiding sick people, wondering whether or not to get the vaccination shot, worrying about the economy, worrying about family matters and more, is it any wonder people are feeling a little stressed out? While being stressed can certainly bring on headaches and muscle tension, stress has proven to be a hazard to your immune system.

How Worrying About Getting Sick – CAN - Make You Sick!

Here’s the facts. According to a July 2004 meta-analysis of 30 years worth of studies, two psychologists Suzanne Segerstrom, Ph.D., and Gregory Miller, Ph.D. determined that both long-term stress actually weakens and suppresses the immune system, while short-term stress can actually boost the immune system. Let’s break this down:

Long-term stress: This is stress that is considered chronic and ongoing. Over a long period of time, this kind of stress suppresses the immune system.

Short-term stress: This is stress that happens quickly and ends fairly quickly. The body kicks in to what is known as “fight or flight” mode. The immune system gets ready to fight off any infections or other physical attacks it might encounter during this period of high anxiety. Picture yourself being chased by a tiger (not that we want that to happen). Your immune system prepares itself for a possible bite or scrape.

In addition, the study showed that people who are not feeling well or who are elderly, and who are facing stressful situations, are more likely to see a decrease in their immune systems strength.

How Do You Know if Stress Affecting You Physically?

It is not always easy to make the connection between stress and how you feel. Other than the typical tension headaches, here are some symptoms to watch out for that may be signs that your immune system is at risk:

• Fatigue
• Lethargy
• General increase in aches and pains
• Irritability
• Increase in the frequency of colds and generally “not well” days

A study conducted in Ohio State University in 2004, which was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (http://jco.ascopubs.org/ )took a look at the impact that counseling has on the immune system. In this study, breast cancer patients were sent for counseling. Each patient received regular psychological counseling and the results were astounding; the patients not only felt calmer and less stressed, their immune systems were boosted.

So What’s Really Going On in Your Stressed Body?

Every immune cell in the body contains an enzyme called telomerase, which helps keep cells young and healthy. Your body also contains the stress hormone cortisol. When the body is stressed, it makes more cortisol. Cortisol then stops the immune system from activating the telomerase. According to an article in “Mechanism Behind Mind-Body Connection Discovered” research is under way to see if there is a way to protect the telomerase and, there by, protect the immune systems of people suffering from chronic stress.

Sound a little complicated? The bottom line is that the more stressed you become, the more cortisol your body produces. Increased cortisol over a long period of time can reduce white blood cell production by 38%, will weaken your immune system and you will get sick.

Caregivers are At Risk!

A 2008 study in the journal Biological Psychiatry reported findings on groups that were studied – caregivers vs. others dealing with other types of stress not related to caregiving. The study showed that the white blood cells (their monocytes) of caregivers, when the caregiver was stressed, actually changed. The cells became less responsive to the cortisol created by the body, which tries to reduce inflammation when the body becomes stressed out. The resulting inflammation causes sleep disturbances and depression. It is also well known that a key factor in maintaining a healthy immune system is getting a good night’s sleep.

Stressing about H1N1 – Are You Setting Yourself Up For Disaster?

H1N1 news is everywhere and frankly, people are starting to get scared. We hear daily that someone we know, or someone we know knows someone else who has it. Containers of hand sanitizing gel are gracing counter tops where candy dishes used to sit. The anxiety levels over the question “are we safe?” continue to rise.

While all of this may sound like it is geared towards those who are completely panicked by H1N1, stop for a moment and ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I worry about getting sick?
• Do I worry about my family getting sick?
• Have I refused invitations to social events because I might get sick?
• Does watching the news and hearing about H1N1 make me feel anxious?

Believe it or not, while some people may answer yes to all of these questions and be absolutely fine, others may be feeling a knot in their stomachs, be losing sleep, and feel absolute fear. This kind of stress may result in a reduced immune system and illness. Probably not the H1N1 flu, but a cold, upset stomach, or other illness.

Dr. David Prescott recently wrote an article about “Coping With Stress about H1N1 Influenza: Building Psychological Resilience” in which he talks about the psychological impact of illnesses like H1N1 on society. In this article he talks about ways to reduce the anxiety and stress associated with dealing with health scares. One of the more important tips he offers is to deal with the facts of the situation, rather than listening to rumors. One way is to find the facts is to www.flu.gov. By avoiding the delicious and juicy rumor mill, which we all know tends to be embellished by the last person passing on news, we avoid putting ourselves in a powerless and helpless position. This, in turn, reduces our stress levels.

So relax! Taking the right precautions and taking care of your health with proper diet, physical activity, and plenty of sleep is important for a healthy immune system. Don’t let stress over the H1N1 or any other potential illness rob you of your good health.

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