A medical practitioner has stated that prolonged stress can quietly damage the body, increasing the risks of serious health conditions if left unmanaged.
Speaking with Abigail Lanilord Lartey on Health Focus on GhanaWeb TV, Dr Paulina Mefia Denteh explained that while stress is a normal part of life, it becomes dangerous when it turns chronic.
“Stress is just the body's natural means of responding to pressure or perceived danger,” she said.
According to her, when a person is stressed, the brain activates what is known as the “fight or flight” response, releasing hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.
These hormones prepare the body to react quickly, but can have harmful effects when constantly triggered, she stated.
“When it becomes chronic, it puts the body in this state of constant alertness,” she noted.
Dr Paulina warned that this prolonged state can lead to high blood pressure, heart diseases, sleep disorders and weakened immune systems.
“This is not sustainable. It means many households are managing today by sacrificing tomorrow,” she added, drawing a parallel to how the body copes under prolonged stress.
For many Ghanaians juggling work, family and financial pressures, her message hits close to home.
From long working hours to daily commuting stress, the signs often go unnoticed until the body begins to break down.
Dr Denteh urged individuals to pay attention to subtle warning signs such as frequent headaches, poor sleep, loss of appetite and emotional withdrawal.
“The body is giving you an alarm, it’s trying to tell you that it’s stressed,” she said.
She emphasised that recognising these early signs and taking steps to manage stress can prevent more serious health complications.
Watch the full interview below:
Understanding stress and managing it the right way
NA/AE
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