July 2005

Evaluating stress response by organ and symptoms

by Dr. Howard Loomis

My last two columns have discussed stress as a specific diagnostic entity. Clinicians should never lose sight of the fact that the body has a very specific physiological reaction to stress. Mechanical, nutritional, chemical, and emotional stress all set off the same biochemical/physiological chain of events. Because this is so, we should be able to determine whether patients are living under excessive or continual stress and evaluate their ability to respond to stressful events in their lives. Failure to meet the nutritional requirements needed for specific tissues to respond to stress will result in the appearance of symptoms.

Whenever an organ or tissue is stressed, the amount of energy it is producing must increase. Obviously, its nutritional needs must also increase to meet the demand. This also increases the amount of waste that is produced proportionately and must be removed by the extra cellular fluid.

The chart featured here evaluates the stress response by organ and symptoms. The left‑hand column shows symptoms that may appear when the stress has continued too long and the organ is struggling to meet the demand. Symptoms of sympathetic exhaustion are shown in the right‑hand column. These occur when the organ/tissue cannot respond appropriately and nutritional exhaustion and waste accumulation are becoming obvious.

Stress response of the sympathetic nervous system

Stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system increases the capability of the body to perform vigorous muscle activity as follows:

1. Increases rates of cellular metabolism throughout the body.

2. Shifts cellular energy production to fat instead of glucose.

3. Increases blood glucose concentration which can be used by the brain to provide increased mental activity.

4. Decreases blood flow to organs that are not needed for rapid activity.

5. Increases arterial pressure and increases blood flow to active muscles, thus increasing glycolysis and increasing muscle strength.

Failure of the body to respond appropriately to the above sequence is quite common in our patients, yet seldom fully appreciated by chiropractic or medical technicians. Today, so much emphasis is placed on diagnosing symptoms according to the pharmaceutical‑medical model that millions escape our recognition of their problem until a specific disease entity can be determined. This is unfortunate because there are many more "walking wounded" amongst us than are diseased.

The hypothalamus monitors events affecting the extra cellular fluid because it receives sensory input from all tissues. It can then orchestrate a response by signaling the autonomic nervous system via the reticulospinal tract, and the endocrine system via its connection with the pituitary gland.

In previous columns, it was noted that the stress response of the sympathetic nervous system occurs when the blood glucose levels fall below normal. Among the problems that arise when the tissues cannot respond adequately to the demand, the pituitary is stimulated to release ACTH stimulating the adrenal cortex to release cortisol. A cortisol deficiency results in Addison's disease. However, before that disease occurs the body suffers from symptoms of inflammation, i.e., heat (fever), redness, swelling, and pain. The sediment rate increases and the patient may be diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or even asthma ‑‑ all of which are treated medically by cortisone‑related drugs.

How many of these patients do you see before they are "branded" by the pharmaceutical‑medical community? How many times do you identify the specific stress that is setting off the above set of events? How many of your patients know you can do it and prevent the devastating consequences that may follow?

(Dr. Loomis welcomes input on the subjects covered in this column. To make a comment or ask a question, write to him at 6421 Enterprise Lane, Madison, WI 53719. Visit www.loomisenzymes.com online or call 800‑662‑2630 for information on upcoming Loomis Institute seminars.)