Health Self-Assessment
Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system. Neuroplasticity reflects the brain's ability to transform itself. This is an important concept, because it means that the brain is constantly changing, in that there is no constant self. The brain can thus be "re-wired," as a consequence of this neuroplasticity. When considering the brain and its role in our health, this is important because as the brain regenerates, we have the opportunity to change it. We do not need to be who we were, for example. Some of this is fairly common sense -- new experiences can change us -- but neuroscience has allowed this to be proven, that our brains are not set entities but can be transformed. Even more important is the finding that we can change our own brains over time with training (Draganski, et al., 2004).
Stress is one of the major influences on the nervous system, and usually not for the better. As science better understands the effect that stress has on the nervous system, a number of different diseases have been identified as being related to stress on the nervous system. The autonomic nervous system has as direct role in the physical response to stress. In the short run, the fight or flight mechanism...
This is a clinical mental illness that can have severe negative consequences to one's ability to function in the world. Stress has also been linked to a variety of physical ailments. These include gastrointestinal issues such as GERD, peptic ulcers and IBS. The skin is also affected by stress, and stress can trigger things like rashes, hives, atopic dermatitis. Insomnia is an effect of stress, and insomnia will then bring about its own medical complications.
It has also been noted that stress has a negative effect on the immune system, contributing to the body's increased susceptibility to viruses. Thus, people who are under frequent stress get colds more often, stroke, hypertension, heart attacks, anxiety, even things like herpes (cold sore outbreaks) and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis. The effect that stress has on the nervous system will ultimately make the body more susceptible to a wide range of health problems and will exacerbate ones that already exist (AIS, 2016).
3. As noted, the immune system is affected…
