This is what happens to the body when we get extremely angry

 

There must be no retelling that anger is not good for the body. If experts are to go by, being angry not only makes the blood boil, but it may also impact physical and mental health. Addressing the same, Dr Robert G DeBease, shared on X, “It takes 7 hours for your cortisol levels to return to normal after an extreme bout of anger, leaving you with suppressed digestion, reduced brain function, detoxification, and thyroid dysfunction, as well as blood sugar dysregulation.”

Is it true? Let’s find out.

It is quite normal to experience anger after a stressful or frustrating event. “But being extremely angry not only harms your overall mood but also your physical health,” said Dr Sonal Anand, psychiatrist, Wockhardt Hospitals Mira Road.

When you get extremely angry, your body triggers a “fight or flight” response, an ancient survival mechanism, said Dr Rahul Rai Kakkar, consultant, psychiatry and clinical psychology Narayana Hospital, Gurugram, adding that this response is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, specifically the sympathetic branch.

Here’s what happens

First, the brain detects a threat, and the amygdala signals the hypothalamus to release stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. Dr Kakkar said these hormones increase the heart rate and blood pressure, pumping more blood to your muscles to prepare you for action. “Breathing becomes faster, delivering more oxygen to your body. Blood sugar levels also rise to provide a quick source of energy,” said Dr Kakkar.

Anger can cause your muscles to tense, especially in the neck, shoulders, and jaw, which is why people often feel stiff or clenched when furious. “Your digestion slows down, and you may even feel nauseous or get an upset stomach due to reduced blood flow to the digestive system,” said Dr Kakkar.

Prolonged, intense anger can be harmful. According to Dr Kakkar, over time, “frequent bouts of rage can increase the risk of heart disease, weaken the immune system, and contribute to anxiety or depression”. Dr Anand seconded Dr Kakkar and shared that anger can create feelings of frustration, irritation, guilt, agitation, sadness, anger, and overthinking.

“This can take a heavy toll on one’s mental health resulting in depression, stress, and anxiety. You may find it difficult to concentrate on a particular thing or think clearly. This is why it is crucial to manage your anger levels and stay calm amidst stressful situations,” said Dr Anand.

Learning to manage anger through techniques like deep breathing or mindfulness can help mitigate these physical effects,  said Dr Kakkar.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.

Indian Express: New Delhi | October 2, 2024 12:30 IST

A magic pill to control blood sugar spikes? 40-minute yoga can reduce diabetes risk, says study

 

A 40-minute yoga practice every day can reduce your risk of getting diabetes by nearly 40 per cent, showing better results than lifestyle intervention or drugs alone could achieve, according to a recently published study from five centres in India.

The study looked at whether yoga could prevent progression to Type 2 diabetes among individuals who were already diagnosed with pre-diabetes, a person with higher than normal blood glucose levels but not enough to be considered to have diabetes. There are an estimated 101 million people living with diabetes in the country, with another 136 million living with pre-diabetes, most of whom are likely to progress to diabetes without substantial lifestyle changes.

Dr SV Madhu, the first author of the study and professor in the department of endocrinology at Delhi’s GTB hospital, said: “We were able to demonstrate that yoga was much more effective at reducing the risk of Type 2 diabetes as compared to lifestyle changes alone. In fact, the gains are much more even when compared to lifestyle intervention and drugs shown in other studies. While determining the mechanism of action was not the purpose of the study, it is hypothesised that yoga has additional benefit as it can lower chronic psychological stress. It is also thought to be an immune modulator that can reduce the inflammation and oxidative stress, resulting in lower risk for diabetes.”

What is the advice for healthy adults?

Dr Madhu says those who have a higher risk of developing diabetes — such as people with family history or those who are obese — are likely to reap the benefits of yoga. “It is suggested that they practice yoga for 40 minutes every day to keep diabetes at bay,” he adds.

Will yoga help people with diabetes?

While the current study does not demonstrate the effect of yoga on those who already have diabetes, Dr Madhu says that it is likely to help them as well. “Other short-term studies on impact of yoga on diabetes have already shown reduction in blood glucose levels, so it is likely that yoga can help people with diabetes keep their sugar levels in check,” he says.

Why is the study important?

Dr Madhu explains that the study is key evidence in favour of yoga. “Our study is a proper randomised control trial with nearly 500 participants in both groups — yoga along with lifestyle intervention and lifestyle intervention alone. The study participants have also been followed up for a period of three years,” he says, clarifying that other evidence so far has been from smaller studies with no control groups. He also explains that the evidence from previous studies have shown a much lower risk reduction — between 28 per cent and 32 per cent — with lifestyle interventions and even medication to keep blood sugar levels in check.