Integrative Health Blog

Chas Gant MD, PhD

Stress is defined as any mental or bodily tension resulting from factors which alter our equilibrium. Chronic stress can lead to distress,  often experienced as physical pain, fatigue, depression or dysfunctional behaviors. Chronic stress can lead to distress,which often causes or exacerbates medical or psychiatric disorders such as alcohol or substance abuse. 

The 12 Kinds of Chronic Stress:
1) Emotional Stress (losses, post-traumatic)
2) Cognitive Stress (irrational demands)
3) Sensory Stress (chronic pain disorders)
4) Metabolic Stress (high/low blood sugar)
5) Toxic Stress (heavy metals, chlorine)
6) Immune Stress (autoimmune, allergy)
7) Infectious Stress (Lyme disease, candida, GI issues)
8) Purposelessness Stress (no spirituality)
9) Endocrine Stress (hormonal, PMS, aging)
10) Oxidative Stress (vein, arterial blockage)
11) Energetic Stress (electromagnetic, geopathic)
12) Neurotransmitter Stress (decreased serotonin)

The Mind/Body Wants to Heal
Our mind/body prefers to exist in a healing, regenerative rest/digest state, but will sacrifice that to deal with brief emergencies. The problem is we can spend so much time in chronic stress and distress due to our total stress load, that we spend insufficient time in the healing, parasympathetic, rest/digest mode so healing cannot occur. Chronic psychiatric and medical disorders can result, as well as accelerated aging and even premature death. 

Chronic Stress is Reversible
Even after the total stress load has battered the mind/body it is still reversible. Getting to the root cause of stress by addressing all 12 types of chronic stress through proper diagnostic testing and professional assistance can bring your mind/body back to its preferred healthy condition, so authentic healing can occur. 

For authentic healing to occur, this is an important factor in addressing any chronic medical or psychiatric condition.

Chas Gant, MD, PhD, is a national lecturer, author and integrative and functional medicine doctor at National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, an integrative medicine and dental center.