Health impacts of long-term stress and chronic pain

Long-term stress and chronic pain can trigger similar physiological mechanisms in the body, potentially leading to low-grade inflammation and increased risks for lifestyle-related health issues. This stress can create a cycle where pain increases stress, which in turn exacerbates pain. Such prolonged strain can alter how the body metabolizes nutrients, increasing the need for specific vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids to support the immune system, nervous system, and energy metabolism.

In cases of prolonged stress or exhaustion, the body may enter a state described in functional medicine as type 2 hypothyroidism, or cellular hypothyroidism. In this state, body tissues experience reduced effectiveness of thyroid hormones despite laboratory blood tests appearing within normal reference ranges. Symptoms often include constant fatigue, feeling cold, hair loss, dry skin, weight gain, and brain fog. This occurs as the body attempts to conserve resources in response to perceived danger, famine, or illness, which can slow metabolism and reduce energy production.