What is the Origin of Chronic Physiological Stress?

The concept evolved from early work on the general adaptation syndrome by Hans Selye and was later refined with the introduction of the allostatic load model by McEwen and Stellar. It bridges the psychological experience of stress with its quantifiable, damaging effects on human physiology and endocrinology. Understanding chronic stress is central to modern preventative medicine.

What is the Mechanism of Chronic Physiological Stress?

The persistent activation leads to dysregulation of cortisol secretion patterns, often resulting in blunted diurnal rhythm or prolonged elevation. This sustained glucocorticoid exposure impairs immune function, disrupts metabolic homeostasis, and negatively affects the HPG and HPT axes. Over time, this mechanism drives insulin resistance, abdominal adiposity, and neurodegeneration.

Chronic Physiological Stress

Meaning

A sustained state of systemic activation of the body’s stress response pathways, primarily the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, persisting long after the initial stressor has passed. This differs from acute stress by resulting in allostatic load, which is the cumulative wear and tear on the body’s systems due to repeated or chronic efforts to maintain stability. Clinically, it is a significant driver of endocrine dysregulation and accelerated aging.