Nine Effects of Stress on your Body Chronic stress can affect your whole body — from your head to your heart. By Allison Bailey, MD, Geisinger psychiatrist Stress is a powerful thing. In small doses, it can motivate you to ace that presentation at work or land your dream job. However, if left unchecked for a long time, stress is anything but motivating.So what’s really going on when you’re stressed? And how can paying attention to your stress improve your health? Whether you’ve narrowly avoided a car accident or are worried about losing your job, stressful situations trigger a release of hormones that cause a stress reaction, also called a fight-or-flight response. This reaction starts in a part of your brain called the amygdala, which processes emotions like fear. When the amygdala senses danger, it sends a distress signal to your hypothalamus, which communicates to the rest of your body via the nervous system. When the hypothalamus gives the signal, your brain releases hormones like epinephrine (also called adrenaline) and the stress hormone cortisol into your bloodstream. The fight-or-flight response is a survival mechanism that lets us react quickly to dangerous situations by preparing to either fight or run from the stressor. Some physical signs your fight-or-flight response has kicked in include: Rapid breathing and heart rate Heightened senses and awareness Tense muscles Pale or flushed skin Cold or clammy hands Dilated pupils Dizziness Nausea In a truly dangerous situation, this response can be lifesaving. But when stress is chronic and this system is activated too often, it takes a toll on your body. Left unmanaged, stress impacts you physically, mentally and emotionally. Research shows that chronic stress can have effects on almost every system in the body — from the heart to the digestive system to the immune system. Here are 9 effects of stress on your body: 1. Elevated blood pressure It’s normal for your blood pressure to temporarily spike when your fight-or-flight response is activated. But when stress becomes chronic, it could lead to long-term high blood pressure, which increases your risk of heart disease. 2. Weakened immune system Do you feel like you always catch a cold after finishing a stressful project? It’s probably because of cortisol’s effect on your immune system. When you’re stressed, your body releases this hormone. Cortisol temporarily inhibits your ability to fight off infections because it decreases your body’s supply of white blood cells. This can make you more prone to catching illnesses like a cold or the flu. 3. Chronic inflammation Too much cortisol over a long period can also cause your immune system to overreact in the form of inflammation. Inflammation is a critical part of the healing process as your body responds to intruders like viruses and bacteria. But when no intruders are present and your body is still sending out inflammatory signals, it can lead to chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation has been linked to several health conditions including: Arthritis Diabetes Heart disease Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Alzheimer’s disease and dementia Cancer Going through periods of high stress doesn’t automatically mean you’ll develop one of these conditions, but it can put you at increased risk — or make symptoms worse if you already have something like arthritis or IBS. 4. Headaches Why does it always seem like a pounding headache strikes right when your frustration reaches its peak? Because your muscles tense up during the fight-or-flight response, chronic stress can cause tension headaches or trigger migraines in people prone to them. 5. Anxiety, depression or mood changes Beyond its physical effects, stress can also take a toll on your mental health.Studies have shown that chronic unmanaged stress can trigger anxiety, depression, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and irritability. 6. Weight gain There’s a reason you reach for mac and cheese or cake whenever you’re stressed — and once again, the culprit is cortisol.Cortisol can cause cravings for foods rich in fat, sugar and salt. This is because our bodies are looking for quick doses of energy to prepare for whatever perceived threat we’re facing. Over time, elevated cortisol levels can affect metabolism and your body’s ability to regulate insulin. Continuing to reach for comfort foods during stressful situations could become an unhealthy habit that leads to weight gain. 7. Difficulty sleeping You’re too stressed to sleep, so you stay up late. The next night, you’re so tired that you worry about falling asleep and end up staying up late again. Sound familiar? Stress and sleep can be a slippery slope. Increased adrenaline and cortisol can make you feel too on edge to fall asleep and sleep deprivation can make you more likely to get stressed out. 8. Decreased sex drive Wondering where your libido went? First consider how stressed you’ve been. When we’re going through periods of high stress, it’s perfectly normal for sex to be the last thing on our minds. This is typically only temporary and should resolve as you cope with the stress. 9. Changes to your menstrual cycle If you’ve noticed your period is later, heavier or shorter than usual, it could be due to stress.Because of chronic stress’ effect on hormones, you may have irregular menstrual cycles. Always talk with your doctor about any changes in your period and be sure to mention if you’ve had any long-term stress lately. Ways to relieve stress So, how do you reduce stress once you have it? t might be tempting to overeat, drink alcohol or use tobacco, but those things provide temporary relief at best, and only add to health problems in the long run. Some healthier ways to relieve stress include: Exercise Deep breathing Yoga Meditation Getting enough sleep Eating a healthy diet Exercise is an especially great way to reduce or eliminate stress, boost your energy levels and improve your mood, not to mention your overall health. And you don’t have to run miles to get the benefits for your mind and body. You can start small by taking a daily walk. But if walking isn’t your jam, try a short-guided meditation instead. It’s not always clear what’s causing your stress — or maybe the effects aren’t going away. Your doctor can work with you to identify causes and discuss coping techniques. They might also refer you to a licensed therapist or a professional counselor who can help you pinpoint and possibly eliminate sources of stress. And if constant stress leaves you with sudden chest pain and shortness of breath, get help immediately. Listen to your body. When it tells you it’s under stress or you need help coping, pay attention to that message, so you can enjoy a long, healthy, high-quality life. For more health and wellness topics, visit Geisinger.org/balance.
Geisinger Pharmacy Opens New Infusion Suite To meet an increased demand for home infusion services, Geisinger Pharmacy has opened a new infusion suite at 620 Baltimore Drive, Suite 100, Wilkes-Barre, and offers patients a personalized approach to their specialized pharmacy and medication needs. Infusion therapy allows patients to receive their medications through their bloodstream (intravenous or IV), under their skin (subcutaneous or intramuscular) or into the membranes surrounding the spinal cord (epidural). The infusion suite is an ideal option for patients who: Prefer a clinical setting to home but need to be site-of-care compliant to meet their insurance requirements Have a home environment is not appropriate for at-home infusion Prefer to not be infused at home Need urgent infusions or those who may not want to wait for a home visit The infusion suite is open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Patients can call 800-245-8767, option 3. To learn more about Geisinger Home Infusion Services visit geisinger.org/pharmacy.
Geisinger Changes Anesthetic to Reduce Carbon Footprint In a continued effort to reduce its carbon footprint, Geisinger will stop using the anesthetic gas, Desflurane, for surgical cases due to its significant environmental impact. The elimination of desflurane will not impact patient safety as there are equally safe alternatives, according to Matthew Desciak, M.D., chair of Geisinger’s Anesthesiology Department. While desflurane does offer some benefits, such as clearing patients’ systems quickly, it’s a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential more than 2,500 times that of carbon dioxide. “Discontinuing the use of desflurane will have the largest impact of our green initiatives,” Desciak said. “Using this agent at a typical flow rate for eight hours has the equivalent environmental impact as driving a car from Danville to Mexico.” In place of desflurane, Geisinger will emphasize the use of anesthesia gases with lower global warming potential and focus on using the minimal amount of these gases. This will allow the system to provide the same level of safe patient care with a lower overall environmental impact. In 2023, the department joined seven other health systems including Kaiser Permanente to look for ways to reduce department waste while still offering world-class care to patients in central Pennsylvania. This initiative is already in place at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre and will roll out systemwide throughout the rest of 2024.
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine to Host Annual Turkey Trot Event benefits Friends of the Poor. Registration now open for 5K/10K run in downtown Scranton Nov. 3 Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine students will host its 15th annual Turkey Trot 5K/10K run in downtown Scranton on Sunday, Nov. 3. The event will also feature a Tiny Trot, including crafts, games, face painting and relay races, for children ages 13 and younger. Proceeds will benefit the charitable organization Friends of the Poor, a nonprofit whose mission is to ease the burden of living in poverty and enhance the quality of life for all. Race-day registration begins at 7 a.m. in the main lobby of Geisinger Commonwealth’s Medical Sciences Building at 525 Pine St. in Scranton. The 5K and 10K runs and the Tiny Trot all begin at 8 a.m. Routes begin and end at the school’s Medical Sciences Building on Pine Street. Online registration is open and will close Friday, Nov. 1. For participants ages 14 and older, registration is $30 for the 5K run/walk and $40 for the 10K. For those age 13 and younger, Tiny Trot registration is free, but a donation of two canned goods on race day is appreciated. To register: runsignup.com/gcsomturkeytrot
Geisinger – Is Your Medicine Cabinet Fully Stocked? Stocking up on medicine cabinet essentials means you’ll be ready to tackle any cut, sprain or illness. Have you checked out your medicine cabinet lately? You might expect to find bandages, and maybe some Tylenol® or cold medicine. Or is it lacking a few essentials because someone used them up or tossed them out? Staying fully stocked is smart. If you have the right supplies in your medicine cabinet, you can treat everything from headaches to bee stings. Cleaning out your medicine cabinet Before you hit the store to stock up on first aid supplies, peek at what you have. Start by taking everything out of your medicine cabinet. Set aside any expired or unused prescriptions. Then make a list of what you’re keeping and note the expiration dates. Tape the list to the inside of the cabinet door so you can see it anytime. If you prefer a digital copy, use your phone or digital assistant to keep a list. When you replace something, scratch out the old expiration date and write in the new one so you’ll know when it’s time for a replacement. After documenting your inventory, make a second list — this one of the medicine and first aid supplies you need. Then stock up! What to keep in your medicine cabinet Not sure where to start? Some useful over-the-counter medications to keep on hand can include: Pain relievers Eye drops Decongestants Cough drops Antacids Aloe vera Hydrocortisone cream Antibiotic cream Personal medications prescribed by your doctor, like an EpiPen® It’s also good to have tools on hand that can help with everything from removing ticks to patching up cuts and scrapes. Injuries and illness are hard to predict so stocking up on a few things can help keep you prepared for the unexpected. Keep your medicine cabinet supplied with: Assorted bandages, including gauze Thermometer Cotton balls and cotton swabs Tweezers Nail clippers Rubbing alcohol Hydrogen peroxide Safety pins Scissors Have an infant at home? Don’t forget about baby nail clippers, diaper cream and other baby-safe tools. Storing medicine at home Once you have everything you need in your medicine cabinet, set the rest of your household up for success. If you have young children, keep medications and tools like scissors out of their reach, and consider keeping prescriptions for things like pain medicine hidden so they’re not accessible to others. While medicine cabinet supplies are great for treating minor illness and injuries, major cuts or allergic reactions may require a call to your doctor or even a trip to urgent care or the ER. But with a properly stocked medicine cabinet, you’ll be able to patch up the minor injuries of the day without leaving home. Disposing of expired medicine Have unused or expired medicine you want to get rid of? Drop them in a secure medication disposal box like Geisinger’s Medication Take Back Program. Getting rid of unwanted medicine is easy. Just find a location near you and drop them in. If you can’t get to a medication drop box, follow these easy steps to properly dispose of your medicine: Remove the prescription label or use a marker to obscure your name and address on the label. (This helps keep your personal info safe.) Mix medications with cat litter, dirt or coffee grounds to make them unappetizing. Put the mixture in a sealed bag with a little bit of water to make the medication unusable and throw it away. Remember: When you’re getting rid of medicine, don’t flush it down the toilet. It can contaminate local waterways. For the latest health and wellness tips and advice visit geisigner.org/balance.
Geisinger Children’s Hospital Receives Party from Spirit Halloween. Spirit Halloween held a Halloween-spirited event for pediatric patients and families at Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital on Monday. Spirit Halloween brought dozens of costumes to share with Geisinger pediatric patients and their families. Patients and families were invited to pick from dozens of Halloween costumes and participated in spooky crafts and face painting. The party was held in celebration of Spirit’s 2023 fundraising efforts with the hospital. Miranda Peruso, Geisinger’s director of annual giving, said Spirit Halloween hosts parties at healthcare facilities that reach a $50,000 fundraising goal during the previous year’s in-store campaign. “This was the first party at Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital,” Peruso said. “Our partnership with Spirit has raised nearly $300,000 for the Child Life department since 2019. We’re so grateful to everyone who supported Geisinger when shopping at Spirit Halloween.” Pediatric patient Kevin O’Brien of Glen Lyon, PA, dressed as Marshmello from Fort Nite, poses for a photo with the Spirit Halloween volunteers. Geisinger’s Child Life specialists make kids more comfortable at the hospital by explaining procedures using play, helping children cope with pain and supporting their efforts to stay up-to-date with their school work. Child Life has the motto of “making the hospital less scary for patients and families. Nearly a dozen patients and their siblings attended the party. Leftover costumes were taken to Geisinger pediatric clinics to share with more patients. “This is part of who we are,” said Jeremy Simpson, zone manager for Spirit Halloween, “It can be sombering to see kids in the hospital, but it is wonderful to see their faces light up for an event like this.”
Geisinger Raises $10 Million for Maternal Care The Geisinger Health Foundation has reached an ambitious $10 million fundraising goal for its Beyond the Bricks Campaign supporting maternal and pediatric care across the Geisinger system. The announcement was made at the Geisinger Beyond the Bricks Campaign Ball and was met with celebration and gratitude from attendees, including donors, community leaders, and healthcare advocates who have rallied together to support this initiative. “Tonight is a testament to the power of community and our shared belief in a healthier future for all,” said Nancy Lawton-Kluck, chief philanthropy officer of Geisinger Health Foundation. “Reaching our $10 million goal wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity and dedication of our supporters, partners and staff. These funds will make sure we can continue to provide exceptional care to mothers, children and families throughout the region we serve.” The ball, held on the Geisinger campus in Danville, was a celebration of Geisinger’s long- standing commitment to excellence in healthcare. Several key projects have already been launched thanks to contributions from the community, including Geisinger Medical Center’s bridge clinic, which links emergency department patients in crisis with immediate psychiatric and follow up behavioral health care, and Free2BMom, a program that helps mothers with substance use disorders. Guests at the gala enjoyed entertainment, remarks from campaign leaders and presentations showcasing the impact of the Beyond the Bricks Campaign, which is helping to expand behavioral healthcare for young patients, protect children and promote research and innovation that benefits women and children.
Geisinger to Host Dinners to Honor Local Military Veterans Drive-through event to take place at 11 locations To thank local military veterans for their service, Geisinger will host drive through veteran appreciation dinners at 11 locations across the health system’s service area from 3 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7. The Geisinger Healthplex State College location will serve meals from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The dinners for U.S. military veterans and a guest are offered at no cost to participants. Geisinger will provide these dinners at a drive-through event for the safety of the community, staff and volunteers. Last year’s event served about 2,900 meals. Servings are limited, and those interested are encouraged to sign up now. Veterans can make a reservation for themselves and one guest by visiting go.geisinger.org/vetsdinner2024 or calling 570-293-7200. The deadline to register is Friday, Nov. 1. Locations are: Bloomsburg: Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital, 549 Fair St. (main entrance) Danville: Geisinger Multi-Specialty Clinic Danville, 35 Justin Drive, Building 2 Jersey Shore: Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital, 1020 Thompson St. Lewistown: Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, 400 Highland Ave. (third-floor entrance) Mifflintown: Geisinger Family Health Associates Mifflintown, 27 CJEMS Lane Muncy: Geisinger Medical Center Muncy, 255 Route 220 Highway Pittston: Geisinger Healthplex CenterPoint, 1201 Oak St. Scranton: Nay Aug Park, 500 Arthur Ave. Shamokin: Geisinger Shamokin Area Community Hospital, 4200 Hospital Road, Coal Township State College: Geisinger Healthplex State College, 132 Abigail Lane, Port Matilda Wilkes-Barre: Behind Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre, at 50 Roosevelt Terrace
Geisinger Health Plan announces Medicare Advantage plans for 2025 Seniors have until Dec. 7 to sign up for a plan that helps fill coverage gaps Geisinger Health Plan announced its Geisinger Gold Medicare Advantage plans for 2025 include benefits designed to make better health easier for its members with premiums starting as low as $0 per month. “Health care should be at the top of everyone’s mind — especially seniors,” said Kurt Wrobel, Geisinger Health Plan president. “Now is the time for older adults to review their Medicare coverage plans for 2025. Everyone’s health looks different, which is why Geisinger Gold offers plans that fill the gaps that might be missing in their current coverage. People can live healthier lives when they have access to extra services and programs that make managing health easier and more affordable.” The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) begins Oct. 15 and goes through Dec. 7, providing a seven-week window for eligible seniors to evaluate and enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan for 2025. Medicare Advantage plans help older adults fill health care gaps that traditional Medicare does not cover, such as vision, dental, prescription benefits and long-term care. As an added perk, all Geisinger Gold plan members can join Geisinger 65 Forward, a program that delivers concierge care focused on older adults. At a 65 Forward Health Center, members enjoy: Same-day appointments to see the doctor faster Longer 1:1 time with the doctor Social and educational activities A personal wellness plan, including state-of-the-art fitness equipment, exercise classes and wellness coordinators Access to mental health resources, including therapists and online tools Geisinger’s program data indicates participation in programs like 65 Forward lowers emergency room visits by 40% and lowers inpatient admissions by 15%. Click here to learn more about Geisinger’s Medicare Advantage health plans.
Geisinger’s Pediatric Neurologist Recognized for Patient Advocate Award Anne Marie Morse, DO, director of pediatric neurology and pediatric sleep medicine at Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital, was recognized with the Patient Advocate Award by the organization Wake Up Narcolepsy. The award is given to individuals who have touched the lives of patients living with narcolepsy and other rare sleep disorders and who have set a high benchmark for their unwavering commitment to patient partnership and advocacy for health and well-being of children and adults living with narcolepsy. Dr. Morse is passionate about the need for transformational healthcare change that empowers the patient and delivers on achieving outcomes that the patient values. She executes on this belief using channels within the healthcare system and through research, but also via social media platforms, public appearances and patient interactions and partnerships. “My commitment and mission for healthcare progress starts and ends with the person on their own healthcare journey. Every effort is centered on empowering people living with any chronic disease, but especially those living with narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia,” Dr. Morse said. “My intention is to augment understanding, awareness and knowledge, while combating stigma about sleep disorders. And finally, I want to advance care through personalized treatment that allows every patient to live fully despite a chronic medical condition trying to limit them.” Dr. Morse has been the director of pediatric neurology since 2018 and has grown the department from 5 providers to 15 to serve more families throughout the region. She also created and is the director of the Department of Pediatric Sleep Medicine and is the program director for the child neurology residency program. Her commitment to growth and development extends into the community. She founded with her pediatric residents a program called LEAP (Launching the Empowerment of Adolscents Program), with a mission to provide social support and decrease stigma for teens living with a chronic disease. She created a school-based program called Wake Up and Learn that empowers teens, families and schools to learn about using sleep as a tool for wellness, health and performance and helps identify teens struggling with sleep wake difficulties. The program has been a success in many central Pennslyvania middle and high schools. She replicated this success with the development of Sleep to Be Well, a-first-in-the-country program that educates people about sleep as a resource for better health. Morse received the award during Wake Up Narcolepsy’s Shadows to Light Gala held in New York City on Sept. 20. Wake Up Narcolepsy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to driving narcolepsy awareness, education and research toward improved treatments and finding a cure.
