Why stress is making you sick

Stress can cause physical illness by hijacking the immune system, according to a new study.

Researchers at the University of Michigan have identified how stress interacts with cells that are supposed to protect the body against infection diseases and manifests into physical illness.

The study revealed stress can impact the response of 'defense chemicals', or substances that fight off bacteria or viruses, amplifying inflammatory and allergic reactions such as irritable bowel syndrome, asthma and autoimmune disorders such as lupus.

Doctors could start prescribing stress management tools like breathing exercises and yoga to treat disorders like asthma and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

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