Stress

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Revision as of 16:38, August 31, 2019 by Hip (talk | contribs) (Added info about immue changes under chronic stress)

Stress, particularly chronic stress, is considered a potential trigger for ME/CFS. It is also thought to worsen ME/CFS symptoms. ME patients are usually advised to avoid stress wherever possible.

Notable studies[edit | edit source]

Several studies found it is not uncommon to experience major psychological chronic stress (from events such as divorce, bereavement or serious financial worries) in the year prior to developing ME/CFS.[1][2][3] Chronic psychological stress elevates cortisol which suppresses the Th1 antiviral/intracellular immune response,[4] and the T-cell response.[5] As ME/CFS normally appears after acute viral infection, the presence of chronic stress may alter the immune response to such infections.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Hatcher, Simon; House, Allan (2003-10). "Life events, difficulties and dilemmas in the onset of chronic fatigue syndrome: a case-control study". Psychological Medicine. 33 (7): 1185–1192. doi:10.1017/s0033291703008274. ISSN 0033-2917. PMID 14580073. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. Theorell, T.; Blomkvist, V.; Lindh, G.; Evengård, B. (1999-5). "Critical life events, infections, and symptoms during the year preceding chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS): an examination of CFS patients and subjects with a nonspecific life crisis". Psychosomatic Medicine. 61 (3): 304–310. ISSN 0033-3174. PMID 10367610. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. Salit, Irving E. (January 1, 1997). "Precipitating factors for the chronic fatigue syndrome". Journal of Psychiatric Research. 31 (1): 59–65. doi:10.1016/S0022-3956(96)00050-7. ISSN 0022-3956.
  4. Dhabhar, Firdaus S (March 15, 2008). "Enhancing versus Suppressive Effects of Stress on Immune Function: Implications for Immunoprotection versus Immunopathology". Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology : Official Journal of the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 4 (1): 2–11. doi:10.1186/1710-1492-4-1-2. ISSN 1710-1484. PMC 2869337. PMID 20525121.
  5. Dhabhar, Firdaus S (March 15, 2008). "Enhancing versus Suppressive Effects of Stress on Immune Function: Implications for Immunoprotection versus Immunopathology". Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology : Official Journal of the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 4 (1): 2–11. doi:10.1186/1710-1492-4-1-2. ISSN 1710-1484. PMC 2869337. PMID 20525121.