Introduction
Long-term stress can lead to health problems such as heart disease, stomach ulcers, sleep disorders, and mental illnesses, although the stress response is designed to restore balance. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis may mediate these dysfunctional stress responses. Long-term activation of this reaction by stress raises heart rate and blood pressure, both risk factors for cardiovascular disease (Viradia et al., 2022). Mental illness caused by stress raises the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. Catecholamines, hormones released in response to stress, can interfere with digestion by decreasing blood flow to the digestive tract. Chronic stress lowers immunity, increasing the likelihood that Helicobacter pylori will cause stomach damage and bleeding.
Pathophysiology of Processed Foods
Processed foods are associated with several effects on the body’s normal functioning. Natural nutrients are removed during processing, and as a result, processed foods are high in calories but low in nutrients. The body starts to see the fats, sugars, and salt in ultra-processed foods as rewards, which leads to increased cravings and overeating (Bennet, 2019). The sugars promote oxidative stress and inflammation, predisposing factors to more harm to health. A diet rich in refined sugars is linked to worsening mood disorders, brain function, depression, and obesity.
Pathophysiology of Risky Alcohol Consumption
Risky consumption of alcohol adds high levels of ethanol to the body, which can be fatal. It is generally accepted that young adults and teenagers are the demographic most susceptible to the effects of alcohol at a relatively high concentration. Alcohol dehydrogenase, an enzyme produced in the liver, is mostly responsible for converting alcohol to acetaldehyde (LaHood & Kok, 2022). Acute poisoning causes the central nervous system (CNS) to become more inhibited and less stimulated, manifesting in various symptoms. The principal neurotransmitter in the CNS that prevents the firing of nerve cells is gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
Conclusion
GABA reduces neuronal excitation when bound to its receptors by blocking chloride entry. Because of alcohol’s significant affinity for GABA receptors, the inhibitory cascade is activated, resulting in drowsiness, mental slowdown, and impaired motor function.
References
Bennet, C. (2019). The detrimental effects of ultra-processed foods​. News Medical Life Sciences. Web.
LaHood, A. J., & Kok, S. J. (2022). Ethanol toxicity. StatPearls Publishing. Web.
Viradia, N., Paredes, J. G., & Hassan, S. (2022). The effects of chronic stress on neuroanatomy and cognitive function. Web.