September 21, 2004 – Chronic stress resulting from socioeconomic status can cause inflammation and thus be the root cause of certain diseases, including diabetes, atherosclerosis, certain cancers and Alzheimer’s.
This is the hypothesis defended by the Quebec neurologist Jean-Pierre Roy, in a study1 the results of which he presented at a conference organized by the Direction de la santé publique de Montréal-Center, last week.
Inflammation2 is a natural defense reaction of the body acting when it faces an intruder or a threat to its survival (virus, microbe, injury, operation, etc.). But when it becomes chronic, the inflammation can backfire on the body and attack the tissues, thus becoming responsible for certain conditions.
The Dr Roy explained that he discovered how stress can cause inflammation, when experienced repeatedly or for a long time in a person. This is a paradox since in a defensive situation, the body triggers occasional stress which, for its part, plays an anti-inflammatory role. Indeed, the antibodies which fight the intruders do not stop by themselves and it is the “momentary” stress which comes to slow them down when they have eliminated viruses, microbes and other dangers.
However, chronic stress, attributable to socio-economic status, has the opposite effect. Over time, the antibodies get used to its presence and it is when the stress decreases that the shoe pinches since the substance that it releases to slow down the defense molecules – cortisol – also decreases. Result: they no longer have a “brake” and, failing to have “enemies” to fight, they attack the tissues of the body itself.
It was already recognized that in industrial societies, socioeconomic status is an important indicator of public health. Beyond the clichés, studies tend to show that the higher we are in the social hierarchy, the healthier we are and vice versa.
Since the human being is a social animal, he must regularly reassess his role on the social scale. Thus, any situation where he has to measure himself socially leads to psychosocial stress. This stress is healthy in that it is short-lived. According to Dr Roy, it is the fear of “losing face” or of being rejected that causes chronic activation of the stress system.
Martin LaSalle – PasseportSanté.net
1. Roy JP, Socioeconomic status and health: a neurobiological perspective, Medical Hypotheses, Flight. 62, No 2, 2004, 222-7.
2. For more information on the phenomenon of inflammation, see our news of January 30, 2003 entitled The perverse effects of inflammation.
