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Rhuematoid Arthritis

Stress Factors In Rhuematoid Arthritis, Or Any Disease

juvenile-rheumatoid-arthritis: Rhuematoid Arthritis You wake up early in the morning and hear glass crashing to the ground. Your heart starts racing, you listen a little bit more and you hear what you think is a footstep. You begin to shake and your palms become sweaty. You get out of bed, you walk into the living room....and the cat is being unusually rambunctious. You feel instant relief, but it takes a few moments to calm down. You've just had a run in with your friend, adrenalin. Adrenalin works by pumping up its action to get you moving in a stressful situation. If the cat had been an intruder, adrenaline would have made you feel momentarily like super-man. Your "fight or flight" hormone would have stepped up to first gear.

Fortunately for most, that is the way stress works. It serves its purpose momentarily and then you go back to your regular, sometimes boring life.

If, on the other hand certain circumstances in life are chronically stressful, or nearly so, you release stress chemicals which can cause disease and premature aging.

Many of us don't have the luxury of determining what stresses we can keep, and which stresses we can throw away. So, we need to learn how to handle the stress, and how to use resources, such as handling our emotions, making time for exercise, and learning techniques of relaxation like positive imagery.

Literally, learning to laugh might be the only difference between the person who is in line at the cancer clinic waiting for their dose of radiation, and you at home comfortably watching the next comedy on television.

I have Rheumatoid arthritis. After thought and reflection I have determined that, for me it is chronic stress that has been the most influential of all of the "causes" that may play a part in why a person could pick up this, or any disease.

The first rule of thumb would be to check for genetic factors. I ruled this out, because I am the only person in my family past or present to have been afflicted with this disease.

Of the many factors that help reduce stress today I am going to talk about the emotions, the power of positive thinking, and learning to "feel" positive.

Your emotions are translated by the brain into chemicals. These chemicals have the ability to either suppress or enhance the way that the immune system functions. So, if you are angry, upset, or depressed you are more likely to get sick. If you are caring, trusting, and optimistic you are more likely to stay well.

A study was done on 15 widowers. As these widowers were struggling with their grief it was noted that their was a significant drop in the ability of their lymphocytes to run off invaders.

Surprisingly, another emotion that seems to have an affect on the immune system is fear. It is estimated that our immune systems function is reduced by two thirds when we are afraid. In our society today, we seem to have a lot of things to fear. War, the economy, pollutants in the air, and in our food, and depending on your particular circumstances, so much more.

One way that I have found to deal with some of these fears is take the pragmatic view of life. I can only change me. I can't change the world around me. So, I focus on what I can change, and I try and forget the rest.

It may sound harsh, but at times, their are people in your life that are mean, negative, and they attempt to bring you down. If you can, avoid these kinds of people. If you can't avoid them, learn to filter your relationship with them by looking at the bigger picture, and how they're attitude's do not have to reflect your own. Sometimes you may need to deflect and walk away...for awhile.

By Christine Daniel - I have my first aid and CPR certificate, as well as a certificate in Fitness and nutrition. I also have article 9 training, which is training that focuses on the rights of the handicapped and disabled. I am...

Osteoarthritis vs Lumbar Sprain and Strain?
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