Coffee seen as an aid in dealing with stress

Probably the most common and frequent affliction of humans in varying degrees of intensity is the condition described as stress. Some instances are mild, some are moderate and some are severe in their incidence - but all may occur in everyone, daily or more often. Many of the mild to moderate problems may be relieved by simple measures - such as a cup of brew. Even severe attacks may be self-correcting with time, rest and a cup of coffee. If not, they merit professional attention.

During periods of economic uncertainty, stress vexations appear to proliferate both at the workplace and at home and particularly in interpersonal relationship. In the office or factory, it has long been recognized that such stress is ameliorated by periodic coffee breaks.

Unemployment is a most serious stress challenge; but even among those not affected by cut-backs during difficult times, job-related stress increases substantially. A recent study by a major insurance company noted that among a random sample of 600 American workers, almost three-quarters stated that they suffered from three or more stress-related symptoms, very often or somewhat often. These symptoms included exhaustion, anger or anxiety, muscle pain, headache, insomnia and/or gastro-intestinal disorders. Some had as many as eight stress-related symptoms. The survey researchers concluded that this indicated a national epidemic of job stress.

Stress is not a single syndrome but encompasses a wide variety of conditions and symptoms. It is broadly defined as pressure or forcibly exerted influence; or the sum of the biological reactions to any adverse stimulus, internal or external that tends to disturb the well-being of an organism.

The term is also used to refer to the stimuli that elicits the reaction. Just as a bridge is structurally capable of reacting to physical stress of passing cars, trucks, winds, etc; the human body and mind are normally capable of adapting to the stress of new situations, often by simple measures of tolerance, rest or a cup of beverage. However, this ability does have definite limits, beyond which continued stress may cause a breakdown. This limit varies from individual to individual.

There are two types of stress: physical and psychological, with many variations in each category. Physical can be divided into two main classes, based upon the ways in which the body reacts, There is acute or emergency stress - a situation that poses an immediate threat, such as a near or actual automobile accident, a wound or an injury. Then there is chronic or continuing stress that may changes, illness, or constant exposure to excessive noise, vibration, fumes or other uncomfortable agents.

The body's reaction to emergency stress is set off by the adrenal gland, which is directly connected to the nervous system. When an emergency arises, it pours adrenalin into the blood stream. This has the effect of speeding up the heart, raising the blood pressure, increasing blood sugar supply and expanding the blood vessels in the muscles to give them immediate use of this energy supply.

The reaction of the body to chronic stress is more complex. The principal organs involved are the adrenal glands but after the first phase of alarm, the glands continue to produce a steady supply of adrenalin, but at a lower level. In addition, specific defenses may occur such as the production of antibodies to fight infection. But if the stress is overwhelming such as serious third degree burns, exhaustion of the adrenal glands may occur with fatal results.

In many respects, the action of caffeine is similar to that of adrenalin, and may serve to replace or potentiate it. Thus caffeine causes greater cardiac output as a result of an increase in the contractile force of the heart. Its cerebral stimulation results in increased mental alertness, decreased drowsiness and lessened fatigue -all valuable effects in emergency stress. Caffeine is even more advantageous than adrenalin in one respect - it is effective when given by mouth, whereas adrenalin must be injected when the body needs additional quantities as its own is depleted. If adrenalin is taken orally, stomach acid destroys its effect.

Psychological stress follows severe financial setbacks, sudden emotional problems, or even foreseeing or imagining emergency situations. Thinking of danger or the vicarious experience of peril in an exciting film or play may be enough to cause muscles to tense and the heart to pound. Psychological situations can have the same effect. For example "stage fright" is often characterized by tensed muscles and increased heart and respiration rate.

Chronic psychological stress results from continued worry about long-time, serious or annoying problems. Examples include job-seeking, unpleasant neighbors or co-workers, marital defects, perpetual financial deficits, etc,

In this connection, it might be pointed out that psychiatrists divide people broadly but inadequately into two categories: Type A and B.

Type A behavior is characterized by excessive competitiveness and aggression and a fast-paced life style. Individuals exhibiting this pattern are constantly struggling to accomplish ill-defined goals in the shortest possible time. In several scientific studies, this type of behavior has been shown to be a significant risk factor in the development of coronary heart disease. This type of person badly needs to relax over a cup of coffee periodically and take stock of himself and his problems.

The opposite type of behavior exhibited by people who are relaxed, unhurried and less aggressive is described as Type B. These people naturally indulge in coffee breaks without coaxing.

Numerous attempts have been made to find correlation between specific ailments and a stressful environment or personality - none very successfully. Stress is not a cause of heart disease - only a risk factor. High blood pressure is popularly believed to be caused by acute stress - but numerous tests have shown this to be a temporary elevation which soon disappears. A postulated relationship between stress and cancer is based on the theory that destructive emotions weaken the immune system, but this has never been proven.

Other diseases considered to be affected by stress include asthma, allergies, migraine headaches, colitis, and peptic ulcers. No hard evidence has ever been found to support such a belief. Careful observers report that in some cases, stress does worsen the symptoms; while in most cases individuals react and adapt to stress and seem to have no long term deleterious effects.

Stress is an important component in everyday life. A healthy reaction to it is a necessity for survival. Coffee is one of the most convenient aids we have in meeting many of the most difficult problems generated by this key emotion.