Stress causes physiological changes that tend to weaken our immune system. When our immune system becomes compromised, our health can be negatively affected: infections and illness occur more frequently, and immune system disorders such as psoriasis and eczema can "flare up." Outbreaks of oral and genital herpes occur with greater frequency during times of stress.

Inflammatory Immune System Disorders: Psoriasis and Eczema

Psoriasis, eczema, and other inflammatory immune system disorders have been linked to stress. When inflammation occurs, cortisol and other glucocorticoid hormones trigger an anti-inflammatory reaction in the immune system. Stress interferes with the immune system's ability to respond to these hormones.

Symptoms of psoriasis and eczema worsen with stress. Stress has even been proven to hinder psoriasis treatment. Study results published in Archives of Dermatology (July 2003) reported that patients under stress took up to eight percent longer to respond to a standard psoriasis treatment. The study suggested that patients would respond to psoriasis treatment faster if they received psychiatric intervention for stress during treatment.

The relationship between stress and psoriasis or eczema is complex. Not only does stress make eczema worse, but eczema itself causes stress. The disfiguring nature of eczema, people's attitudes toward it, and the discomfort associated with the disease all cause stress for someone with eczema. Stress management must be combined with eczema or psoriasis treatment for treatments to be effective.

Stress Management and the Immune System

Stress aggravates psoriasis, eczema and immune system disorders, so stress management should reduce the symptoms associated with those disorders. Research into the relationship between rheumatoid arthritis and stress backs up this hypothesis. Clinical investigations indicate the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis patients improve when patients practice stress-reducing techniques such as Tai Chi and meditation.

Stress and Caregiver Immune Systems

The effects of stress on immune system diseases, such as psoriasis and eczema, are well-researched. Stress can also weaken ordinary immune systems, interfering with the body's natural defenses. Infections and diseases occur more frequently and take longer to recover from.

A study on stress and the health of elderly caregivers examined how stress weakens the immune system. The study examined levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6, a protein of the cytokine family) in elderly caregivers. Higher IL-6 levels hinder the immune system process, contributing to arthritis, heart disease and other diseases. The stress of caregiving caused IL-6 levels to increase four times as quickly in elderly caregivers as in study participants who were under less stress.

Immune System Disorders Affected by Stress

• eczema
• psoriasis
• oral and genital herpes
• ulcerative colitis
• Crohn's disease.

Resources

McEwen, B. & Seeman, T. (updated 1999). Allostatic load and allostasis. Retrieved August 23, 2003, from www.macses.ucsf.edu/Research/Allostatic/notebook/allostatic.html.

National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases. (2001). Chronic fatigue syndrome. Retrieved August 21, 2003, from www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/cfs.htm.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders. (updated 2001). Binge eating disorders. [NIH Publication No. 99-3589]. Retrieved August 22, 2003, from www.niddk.nih.gov/health/nutrit/pubs/binge.htm.

Predit, R. (2002, November 4). Chronic stress beats down immune system. HealthDay. Retrieved August 19, 2003, from www.healthday.com/view.cfm?id=509996.

Priedt, R. (2002, August 24). Stress and diabetes don't mix. HealthDay.Retrieved August 24, 2003, from www.healthday.com/view.cfm?id=508697.

Provident Medical Institute. (nd). Adrendal stress index (ASI). Retrieved August 19, 2003, from www.providentmedical.com/medfacts/factasi.html.

Science Daily. (2003, July 3). Mechanism found that weakens caregiver's immune statues. Retrieved August 19, 2003, from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/07/030701223023.htm.