Stress and immunity: where is the connection?

News 02/09/2021

Our immune system protects the body from foreign proteins, bacteria and viruses with the help of lymphocytes-the main cells of the immune system that have various functions. 

These cells move inside our body through the lymphatic and blood vessels, and can also be concentrated in the organs of the immune system:

• thymus;
• bone marrow;
• the spleen. 

Each of these organs is innervated, that is, it is able to exchange information with the nervous system, and change the activity of the response to foreign bodies under the influence of various stimuli. 

Some scientists call our immune system a sensory organ or “sixth sense " because of its ability to perceive certain signals coming from foreign proteins. 

The intensity of these signals is regulated by our brain, and stress plays an important role in this process.

How does stress affect immune system function?

There are two types of stress: the first activates the protective functions, the second depresses them. Let's imagine that you have been exposed to a weak stressful effect. For example, you saw a loved one (joy is also stress).  Such a short-term and relatively weak stressful effect temporarily activates the functions of the immune system:

• more antibodies are formed;
• the process of reproduction of cells of the immune system, etc., is stimulated.

However, with severe stress (distress) associated with negative events, the opposite picture is observed. An important role is played by the significance of a stressful event and personal characteristics – everyone has a different stress threshold, resistance to it and behavior strategies.

The reaction to stress is realized by the nervous and endocrine systems. In particular, there is a release of the hormone cortisol. Its high levels have always been thought to depress the immune system. 

But recently, scientists have received experimental data that refute this hypothesis. In fact, with distress, the functional interaction between the nervous and immune systems is disrupted. This leads to the development of chronic fatigue syndrome – a disease in which a person constantly feels weak, often gets sick and gets tired quickly.

The best way to combat this effect is to reduce the level of distress. Try to mitigate your reaction with the help of psychotherapy, and reduce the negative effects on the immune system-taking vitamins and trace elements, the lack of which can cause chronic fatigue.

 

 

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