|
People who see the proverbial glass
as half empty may be nearly four times more likely
than their optimistic peers to come down with a cold.
According to a new report, psychological
stress, particularly the chronic type that may accompany
a neurotic and negative personality, is a risk factor
for colds. An optimistic outlook and outgoing personality
seemed to protect individuals, investigators found.
The findings indicate that high levels
of psychological stress are moderately associated with common
colds. While the common cold is rarely serious, it can be
blamed for about 30 million days of lost work in
the US each year.
To investigate whether stress increased
the likelihood of developing a cold, the researchers surveyed
more than 1,100 Spanish university staff and students at
regular intervals over a 1-year period. The study homed
in on different types of stress including stress life events,
perceived stress, and having a generally negative outlook
and neurotic personality compared with a positive and extroverted
one.
Individuals with a negative
outlook were at greatest risk of developing colds regardless
of their use of vitamin C and zinc, and their smoking and
drinking habits.
Those at next highest risk were individuals
who believed that they were under stress. These people
were nearly three times as likely to develop a cold, the
report indicates.
Psychological stress can take a toll
on the immune system by reducing the concentration of cytokines,
proteins that help to ward off infections. Individuals who
are under stress are also more prone to behaviors that can
make them vulnerable to disease, such as
-
smoking,
-
consuming alcohol
-
and eating an unhealthy
diet.
It can also raise the perception of
illness.
Epidemiology
May 2001;11:345-349
| 