Mind-Body relationship, stress and disease
Dr Ashraf Virmani
There is a strong Mind-Body interaction which is involved in various disease processes.
Stress
makes the body more vulnerable to some physical illnesses; immune responses can
contribute to depression, fatigue and autoimmune diseases e.g. allergy,
diabetes, arthritis. and even cancer. Even though the brain and the immune system differ in
their functions and organization, they are interlinked at a subtle biochemical
level. Thus one can alter the pathogenesis or even prevent various diseases by ensuring a
health mind-body relationship.
Aging
There are various theories for the normal aging process, one of these is the corticosteroid theory, which suggests that it is the excessive release of corticosterone that damages cellular function, which leads for example to neuronal dysfunction. There is some evidence to support this theory, especially that excessive corticosteriods can damage neurones in in vitro experiments probably by inhibitory effects on mitochondrial function. Thus, stress can make one age more quickly or at least not in the most 'healthy' way.
References