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Chronic Stress Signaling

Meaning

The sustained, pathological activation of the body’s stress response systems, particularly the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis, in response to prolonged psychological or physiological stressors. This continuous signaling leads to chronically elevated levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol and catecholamines. The resulting allostatic load drives systemic inflammation, metabolic dysregulation, and hormonal imbalance, significantly compromising long-term health.