Word: stress
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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While some stress hormones can't stay elevated indefinitely, glucocorticoids can and do. Cortisol in particular can weaken the immune system, potentially making cancer and infectious diseases worse. Measuring the influence of stress, though, is tough. Some studies have shown no effect at all. Others offer intriguing clues. Dr. David Spiegel, director of Stanford's Psychosocial Treatment Laboratory, cites a study of psoriasis patients in which half practiced meditation and half didn't; the first group healed faster. Other studies show that patients who are part of a rich social network have lower cortisol levels than loners, that people...
Such positive results are encouraging, but they carry risks. Patients might blame themselves for not meditating hard enough, say, if they don't improve. And in the face of serious illness, stress reduction is likely to produce only minor effects compared with conventional medical treatment. But if meditation, prayer, exercise or relaxation techniques take even a little pressure off the immune system, that could add up over decades to a significantly healthier life. --By Michael D. Lemonick. Reported by David Bjerklie/New York
...health. He had worked for a software-development company in Fairfax, Va., for 10 years following a 22-year hitch with the Air Force, and the pressure was finally too much. "I left to start my own business," says Valvo, now 55, "but I could feel that all the stress was having physiological effects." Sure enough, he was diagnosed with coronary-artery disease and underwent bypass surgery in 1999. But after the operation, he spiraled into a severe depression, which would recede and then return with renewed force. Finally, Valvo's physician put him on an antidepressant--which not only...
...this study is hardly the last word on the genetic roots of violence. There are almost certainly other genes involved and other kinds of life stress that can contribute to violence. Moffitt and her colleagues are already planning more experiments to isolate other factors that might be involved. As for predicting whether a particular child will become violent, no one can be sure when that might be possible. For now, we will have to deal with kids like the King brothers the way we always have: one case at a time. --By Michael D. Lemonick. Reported by Alice Park/New York
...anxiety attack. Breathing exercises derived from yoga are even more effective. With practice, breath work quiets down the nervous system. This not only blunts anxiety but also lowers blood pressure, slows the heart rate, improves circulation and digestion, and helps protect the body from the damaging effects of stress...