How To Overcome Killer Stress

How To Overcome Killer Stress





How To Overcome Killer Stress


PAYDAY

It was November 30, 1991 - the date is firmly etched in my mind
- we had returned from visiting a older friend. I took a
shower, then became extremely nauseated - I don't ever remember
being that ill - then tried to throw up, but was too sick to. I
then headed for the front door to get some fresh air and became
dizzy. I lay down on the floor to avoid passing out. Heart
attack! came to mind - I may be dying. I asked my wife to call
the ambulance. I prayed aloud, asking God to forgive my sins. I
wanted to call my son in Tulsa, but there was not enough time.
The ambulance crew arrived, along with two friends. One prayed
aloud for me. The cool night air felt good.

Preliminary tests at ICU indicated a stomach virus, but the
attending physician recommended further tests. There had been
heart symptoms for about ten years, but I hadn't followed the
doctor's advice for medical tests. I had noticed pain up into my
neck during exertion, and a general heaviness in the chest area.
There were times when my heartbeat would skip and I became
winded easily.

My wife had suffered a stroke in 1986 and was later pronounced
permanently disabled. To compound the situation, now we were
under great financial stress. My mailorder business was not
doing well financially, though I enjoyed it and it seemed
tailor-made for our circumstances.

A resting EKG indicated that my heart was not getting enough
oxygen. A stress ekg indicated some problem. Then, in January
1992, a heart catheterization indicated that I had not had a
heart attack. I was placed on one aspirin per day and Cardizem,
which is a heart and blood pressure medicine.

Stress was making me seriously ill. My family was very
supportive, but stress agents were taking their toll. I had
served as an Army Chaplain in Vietnam, and finished a military
career in the Army Reserve, retiring a colonel in 1988. I had
earned a BA, two masters degrees and a doctorate, taught in two
colleges for a total of five and a half years, pastored for
eleven years and spent about five years in school
administration. At one time, I was teaching a full load at
college, working on a doctorate and working on a reserve
military career.

Things went to "zero." Children made me nervous. Crowds of
people bothered me. I didn't want to go anywhere. Other physical
problems began to surface. I looked for a pastorate and jobs,
but didn't know if I could perform. Bankruptcy was put off until
stress forced the issue - we filed for bankruptcy December 1992.

I had been effectively become a drug addict. No, I did not
inject drugs in my veins or smoke or "snort" them. But, by worry
and stress, I inadvertently had my brain command the adrenal
gland to do so! Many of you are stressed-out, too. Learn from my
bad experience, or you may not be so fortunate. Sometimes the
first heart attack is the killer!


SHORT-TERM STRESS (FEAR)

God made a human being so that in case of real or imagined
danger, the adrenal medulla (the inside part of the adrenal
gland) produces adrenaline, a hormone, which is injected into
the blood stream. Adrenaline produces an "acute alarm" reaction
in the body. This acute reaction is generally short-term. The
heart beats faster and blood pressure is raised. Blood is
shunted from the stomach and skin to the muscles to provide
physical strength for "fight or flight." High-energy fats are
dumped into the bloodstream, blood sugar level rises, breathing
quickens, eyes dilate and chemicals appear in the blood to clot
blood rapidly in case of injury. This heightened condition may
save one's life, but it is hard on the body.


LONG-TERM STRESS (WORRY)

When one perceives a real or imagined loss of control, the
adrenal cortex (the outside part of the adrenal gland) produces
cortisol, another hormone, which is injected in the blood
stream. Cortisol produces a "vigilance reaction" in the body.
This is a chronic reaction - a long term state. Blood pressure
rises slowly, body tissues retain sodium and other vital
chemicals. High-energy fats and blood-clotting chemicals are
released into the blood stream. Sex hormones are repressed.
Gastric acid production is increased to maximize digestion. The
immune system is repressed, making one more susceptible to
disease.


WORRY-INDUCED ILLNESS

Both conditions can trigger a heart attack. Excess stomach acid
can cause ulcers, Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
and continued high blood pressure can result due to continued
stress. In short, fear, anxiety, overconcern and worry causes
the brain to command the adrenal gland to inject strong
chemicals into the blood stream. These chemicals act as a poison
over a period of time.

Dr. S. I. McMillen discloses,

Emotional stress can cause high blood pressure, toxic goiter,
migraine headaches, arthritis, apoplexy (cardiovascular accident
or stroke), heart trouble, gastrointestinal ulcers, and other
serious diseases too numerous to mention.

Dr. Carl Jung was the first to teach that the cause of
schizophrenia was a toxin injurious to the brain - said toxin
being formed by emotional disturbance, especially anxiety.

In short, worry or anxiety can cause physical and mental illness.


THE WAY BACK

One by one, with the help of God and others, I worked on each
stress agent. A program of walking, diet and medicine is
helping. I recommend two excellent resource books to help
overcome killer stress.

One of the best medical resources for stress management is Dr.
Robert S. Eliot's book, Is It Worth Dying For? How to Make
Stress Work for You - Not Against You. Dr. Eliot experienced a
heart attack himself, and now directs the Institute of Stress
Medicine in Denver and serves as Professor of Cardiology at the
University of Nebraska Medical Center.


How To Overcome Killer Stress