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In
women who are exposed to severe stress and anxiety, this effect is caused
by reduced blood flow through the arteries that feed the uterus. Usually,
the cranial nerve crest, a structure of cells that is thought to contribute
to the development of the head and face in a fetus, gets affected.
According to Dr Vivette Glover, research head of a study linking obstetrics, pediatrics, psychology and psychiatry, experiment on animals shows that maternal, fetal, or neonatal experience can set the stress responses of the developing offspring for life. If true, in human beings this could predispose children to have behavioral problems, such as hyperactivity, or cause them to suffer from depression in later life. |
 Aging is a natural and gradual process, except under extreme circumstances such as stress or grief. The constant stressors or stress conditions result in a loss in neural and hormonal balance. This loss of balance will cause increased oxidative damage accelerating aging in our body. That's because, chronic disturbances in body homeostasis ultimately affect our hormone secreting glands, cell repair and collagen in our skin and connecting tissues. Immune and neural degenerative diseases prevent this otherwise inevitable process from following the normal and healthy course of events. Recent research results suggest that long-term exposure to adrenal stress hormones may boost brain aging in later life. Scientists at the University of Kentucky in Lexington looked at the results of memory tests taken by elderly patients with high levels of the stress hormone cortisol, released by adrenal glands when the body is stressed. That high-level group scored lower than others with reduced levels of the hormone, researchers say. The level of hormone released apparently affects the total volume of the brain's hippocampus—a major source of recall and memory function, in later life. Researchers found those with high levels of hormone release, had a hippocampus volume 14 per cent less than those with lower levels. The study results suggest that, "chronic stress may accelerate hippocampal deterioration" leading to accelerated physical and brain aging. |
 We often remain oblivious to the idea that pets—animals and birds— also suffer from stress. Pets are extremely sensitive to their surroundings and are known to develop emotional bonding with their owners as well as fellow pets. 'Change' triggers stress in animals the same way it triggers stress in humans. Health conditions also affect the pets' psychological state. Conditions such as illnesses, travel, breeding, separation from owner, shifting, addition or loss of a family member or another household pet, can cause stress in animals. In such cases, pets become extremely bored or show symptoms of severe stress such as fear, anxiety and restlessness. A bored pet dog would slowly chew, destroy things or move objects in and around the household, eat or drink excessively, and sometimes, even create inflammation conditions like "lick granuloma" (usually an ulcerated area on a dog's wrist or ankle caused by the dog's own incessant licking ). They also tend to bark a lot when they are bored. Stressed out dogs show signs of shaking, trembling, restlessness and destructiveness. It is just as important to treat boredom, as it is to treat anxiety. |
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Tips
to Keep Your Pets in Good Humor •
Provide exercise to your pet dog several times a day. • Contrary to popular belief, getting another pet, as company for a lonely pet, does not necessarily alleviate boredom. If only your bored pet has a strong personality, you may find that it teaches its companion how to break the boredom. • If your dog has developed lick granulomas, seek medical a well as behavioral attention to break that habit. • If your dog is exhibiting behavior that is indicative of separation anxiety, seek help from a qualified professional as soon as possible, because not all dogs respond to a standard treatment. Behavior therapy in conjunction with medication can alleviate stress in pets. |
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