Liver and Stress - Interesting Points

For centuries, traditional Chinese doctors have linked the liver with hot tempers. American researchers at the University of California Los Angeles Medical Center are zeroing in on what's behind the connection. They have found that when a liver is diseased by hepatitis, cirrhosis, or some other ailment, it releases certain toxins into the bloodstream. These toxins travel to the brain and, the researchers theorize, may trigger bouts of irritability, anger, and even rage. They may also be responsible for feelings of disorientation, anxiety, and apathy.

A healthy body is in an exquisite state of balance called homeostasis. Any disruption to your body from an injury or an illness causes physical stress. The hepatitis C virus causes physical stress just by being a foreigner in your body and making your immune system go into attack mode.

Likewise, to keep its balance, your body needs proper amounts and types of nutrition, rest, movement, fresh air, and warmth. Too much of anything (including food, exercise, and heat) and the wrong types of things (such as polluted air, junk food, and dangerous drugs) also cause stress.

If a physical stress is short term, like missing some sleep on exam night or having an occasional ice cream, the body can usually recover. But with long-term physical stress, like not sleeping for weeks or smoking cigarettes for years, the body has a more difficult time regaining its balance.

Stress is so pervasive in modern life and potentially harmful, even more so for folks with a chronic illness like hep C. The good news is that there are lots of ways to deal with stress and diminish its effects on your health and your life in general.

The key to keeping stress from hurting you is in your reaction to it. Practice some of these techniques, and you'll be humming or giggling instead of stressing out. You can start fighting stress by taking care of your body through three basic measures: exercise; regular, nutritious meals; and plenty of quality sleep.

Keeping the physical body in good shape gives you more resilience to deal with stress. Remember to avoid physical stressors like breathing polluted air, smoking cigarettes, taking street drugs, and drinking alcohol.

Magnum

[Cory255]

There are two types of stress.  Positive stress and negative stress.  Stress can be a good thing if its postive.  Getting amped up and work keeps you going in a rhythm.  Negative stress can alleviated several ways:  Autogenic training, strectching, and exercising.  

[GreatBird]

I've always found the liver/anger connection fascinating. This is interesting indeed.

[IMstacie]

now i know what has been wrong with me all these years.

[RobertBeWell]

"now i know what has been wrong with me all these years. "

So, now that you're SVR, is it any better?

I too have struggled with a "short fuse" for a number of years. I always thought it was odd, cause I was such an easygoing kid.

Just one more reason to beat it. I can't wait to see what changes when I do. Only one more week till appointment!

[working dog]

i agree with cory...exercise is where it's at to relieve negative stress..just another reason to exercise... having an impaired liver..even though i can't exercise as much as i use to i still work at it...keeping the fat off while getting cardiovascular...if i don't get exercise i'm not much fun....billy