Stress – a common trigger of hypertension and diabetes: Dr Kalra
Stress – a common trigger of hypertension and diabetes: Dr Kalra
On World Hypertension Day, it is important to raise awareness about how too much stress can increase a person’s risk of developing life-threatening lifestyle diseases
New Delhi, May 15, 2016: Stress is an integral part of each one of our lives and it cannot be eliminated no matter how much we try. While a little stress is good and keeps us motivated, too much stress can increase a person’s risk of developing life-threatening lifestyle conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.
There exists a substantial overlap in the aetiology and disease mechanisms of diabetes and hypertension. Diabetes is a chronic lifestyle disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Research indicates that there are over 69 million people living with diabetes in India and this number is estimated to grow to 100 million by 2030.
Hypertension often also known as a ‘silent killer’ is a very common condition which frequently remains undiagnosed until relatively late in its course. In the simplest terms, it can be defined as blood pressure levels exceeding 140/90mm Hg. In the world of urbanisation and high-stressed living, hypertension is exceedingly common and is a key risk factor for other associated ailments like diabetes, heart disease and obesity. It is estimated that the number of hypertensive adults will increase from 972 million in 2000 to 1.56 billion in 2025, a rise of about 60%. Hypertension and diabetes often co-exist and have stress, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle as its common triggers.
When we are faced with a stressful situation, in addition to the emotional discomfort, our bodies react by releasing stress hormones (adrenaline and cortisol) into the blood. These hormones prepare the body for the “fight or flight response” by making the heart beat faster and constricting blood vessels to get more blood to the core of the body instead of the extremities. Constriction of blood vessels and an increase in heart rate raises blood pressure. A common tendency of people to beat stress is to consume high sugar and trans fat-laden comfort food and indulge in vices such as drinking and smoking. This further makes one’s blood pressure worse and also triggers diabetes in the long run. It is thus important to raise awareness about effective stress management techniques.
Raising awareness, Dr Sanjay Kalra – Consultant Endocrinologist, Bharti Hospital Karnal & Vice President, South Asian Federation of Endocrine Societies said, “Chronic mental stress, triggered by the unhealthy and sedentary lifestyle of the 21st century Indian is a key risk factor for diabetes and hypertension. Modern stressors which arise from psychological threats (e.g., workplace stress, domestic violence, and natural disasters) are more sustained as compared to physical stressors. Although epidemiologic investigations have demonstrated that mental stress is associated with a higher incidence of hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and the metabolic syndrome, the effect of mental stress on the whole body needs more research. It is important to understand that diabetes and hypertension have a bi-directional relationship with stress. For on one hand stress triggers both these lifestyle conditions, on the other being diagnosed with these diseases is a cause of stress for the individual.”
“The fact is that everyone faces stress, be it at a personal, social or professional level. However, it us up to us as to how we chose to cope with it. Positive coping responses involve living in the present moment and actively working towards finding a solution to the problem at hand. So it is important for a person living with either hypertension or diabetes to accept that he/she has the disease and start working towards reducing its implications in his/her everyday life by making necessary lifestyle modifications. Negatively responding to the disease only leads to more stress, complications and subsequent depression. A supportive family can play a great role in helping the patient combat stress and thus, in the timely and effective management of both these diseases,” Dr Kalra added.
A few healthy ways of dealing with stress include getting enough physical exercise, being a part of a support group, engaging oneself in yoga, meditation and other calming exercises. Following a sensible lifestyle, keeping the Middle Path of Lord Buddha as the ideal is recommended.
A simple and easy to remember stress management strategy is:
A – Assess and analyse if you have negative thoughts
E – Eliminate the negative thoughts
I – Internalise positive coping mechanisms
O – Observe on ongoing basis
U– Upgrade your understanding continuously.
