Why do zebras not get stomach ulcers

Author: Sapolsky
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: The word "stress" is likely already familiar to modern people. Whether it's anxiety brought by time, money, work performance, career advancement, or interpersonal relationships, or many disappointments in life—such as failing to get into a school, relationship setbacks, joblessness, business failures, marital conflicts, friendships turning sour, chronic illnesses, or the loss of loved ones—uncertainty about the future and a lack of control over life and fate are among the sources of stress for modern individuals. A lack of understanding of one's own reactions, or even incorrect perceptions, is also a source of stress. Systems like the cardiovascular system (heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke), energy metabolism (diabetes), the digestive system (gastric ulcers, colitis, constipation), growth (dwarfism), reproduction (infertility, impotence), immunity (various infectious diseases), the nervous system (neurodegeneration, learning and memory difficulties, Alzheimer's disease), and the mental (depression, mania, schizophrenia) can all be affected. This book serves as an introductory guide to stress, stress-related diseases, and coping strategies.
Why can our bodies handle certain stressful emergencies but succumb to other equally intense or even milder stressors, leading to illness? Why are some people particularly prone to stress-related diseases? What is the relationship between their personalities and these conditions? How do purely psychological stress make us sick? Why does stress easily lead to symptoms like depression, premature aging, and memory decline? What is the connection between our social status and the risk of developing stress-related diseases? How can we strengthen our ability to cope with surrounding stress? These questions will all be answered in this book.