Feel free to discuss any topic of general interest, so long as nothing you post here is likely to be interpreted as insulting, and/or inflammatory, nor clearly designed to provoke any individual or group. Please be considerate of others feelings, and they will be considerate of yours.
While it is pretty much accepted as common sense that chronic stress = disease, there actually has been little done to prove and understand the biological mechanism behind the emotional / physical reality.
Dr Sheldon Cohen has recently led a team of researchers at Carnagie Melon University that looked at the affect that stress not only had on the adrenal / glucocorticoid receptor link, but actually was able to prove the correlation that chronic stress results in glucocorticoid receptor resistance (GCR) which greatly affects how well our bodies can control and more importantly remove inflammation. This resistance would significantly reduce how well our bodies can manage inflammation at all cellular levels.
We propose a model wherein chronic stress results in glucocorticoid receptor resistance (GCR) that, in turn, results in failure to down-regulate inflammatory response.
Another good write up of this research was done by the BBC medical editor and it does a good job of explaining this in plain English
Overall at least in my case this makes perfect sense as while I did have a good bought with the Epstein Barr virus in 1995, the stresses in my personal life and insane work schedule directly preceded the onset of Crohns and MC.
Bottom line is that once a prolonged pattern of chronic stress has been experienced, we become resistant to the bodies own ability to manage inflammation. To a degree this makes sense that many of us who have experienced significant stress in our lives that treatments with anti-inflammatories like Entocort, Prednisone or Imuran have a positive benefit in treating IBDs like MC and Crohns
Hmm - I wonder if this might have something to do with the correlation between NSAIDS and MC? Maybe the NSAIDS aren't actually causing the MC - maybe many of are taking NSAIDS because we are already struggling to manage inflammation due to chronic stress.
Very interesting. My flare-up that started in April is still going strong and I'm not seeing much improvement. The Asacol that worked miraculously well 8 years ago is not working as well this time, and I'm impatient and nervous that I may not find the same "control" over this disease that I had found in the past. HOWEVER, I am also going through what might possibly be the most stressful situation in my my life (and have been for a few months) so it's probably more than coincidence that I've been emotionally exhausted and distressed and also I can't seem to get the colitis to calm down.
I think (and am hoping) that the turmoil and emotional pain are going to start dissipating in the next few weeks so perhaps the stomach / intestines will follow suit. Thanks for the links.
Sue
Sue
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
I hope and pray that the situation goes away and that you have improved health. I definitely know how stress can affect this disease. My prayers are with you for whatever comfort it may give you.
Love, Maggie
Maggie Scarpone
___________________
Resident Birder - I live to bird and enjoy life!
I hope and pray that the situation goes away and that you have improved health. I definitely know how stress can affect this disease. My prayers are with you for whatever comfort it may give you.
Love, Maggie
Thanks, Maggie. Your thoughts and prayers most definitely bring me comfort..... and more importantly, it helps restore my faith in humans.
Sue
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
