Aging, Immune system and Stress

Psychosocial factors can affect the immunity at any age and for the elderly it can specific consequences (McDade, Hawkley, Cacioppo, 2006) with some populations at probably a higher risk level.  Psychological issues like depression, anxiety and social pressures can affect the immunity of aging populations in specific ways. According to Herbert, Cohen (1993) lowered proliferative response of lymphocytes to mitogens and lowered natural killer cell activity is found to be common among older populations. They write that neuroendocrine mechanisms cause depression to link to immunity. An interesting point of view is given by Rowe, Kahn (1987), who write that natural aging processes have been hyped and factors like physical exercise, diet and personal habits are undermined in their importance for healthy aging. Some researchers also argue that aging and stress, both contribute to the immune system of a person (Graham, Christian, Kiecolt-Glaser, 2006) and there is an intermingled relation between aging, stress and immunity. Immune system in aging people is affected by the stress they experienced in early life, stress can exacerbate the aging process and aging can decrease immunity as well as cause stress. This seems to explain a cyclic relation between immunity, stress and aging.

The relation between immune system and psychological stress has been long established by researchers, with age and disease increasing the risks of compromised immunity (Segerstrom, Miller, 2004). Bauer, Jeckel, Luz (2009) write that aging of the immune system is directly connected to chronic stress and healthy aging is experienced by individuals who are able to keep distress managed properly. The articles describes that emotional distress causes increased levels of cortisol to dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) ratio. This leads to more than usual exposure to lymphoid cells to harm glucocorticoid actions and these changes are similar in the aging process as those in innate, adaptive immune responses. The study concludes that stress management can promote better quality of health in the elderly as stress can cause premature aging due to key allostatic systems involved.

            Hyer, Kramer, Sohnle (2004) suggest that specific cognitive, behavioral interventions can affect immunity and aging process. The three techniques I would suggest are sleep therapy, family support and psychotherapy. The National sleep foundation reports that as people get older their circadian rhythms of sleep alter and sometimes this can lead to issues like sleep apnea, insomnia resulting in psychological issues. Dealing with sleep issues can assist in improving immunity in aging population. Family, social support is integral for aging population as research shows that both these things increase the subjective well-being of the aging population and results in better health, immunity (Pinquart, Sörensen, 2000).

References

Bauer, M. E., Jeckel, C. M. M., & Luz, C. (2009). The role of stress factors during aging of the immune system. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1153(1), 139-152.

Herbert, T. B., & Cohen, S. (1993). Depression and immunity: a meta-analytic review. Psychological bulletin, 113(3), 472.

Hyer, L., Kramer, D., & Sohnle, S. (2004). CBT With Older People: Alterations and the Value of the Therapeutic Alliance. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 41(3), 276.

McDade, T. W., Hawkley, L. C., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2006). Psychosocial and behavioral predictors of inflammation in middle-aged and older adults: the Chicago health, aging, and social relations study. Psychosomatic Medicine,68(3), 376-381.

National Sleep Foundation. (n. d.). Aging and sleep. Retrieved fromhttp://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/sleep-topics/aging-and-sleep

Pinquart, M., & Sörensen, S. (2000). Influences of socioeconomic status, social network, and competence on subjective well-being in later life: a meta-analysis. Psychology and aging, 15(2), 187.

Rowe, J. W., & Kahn, R. L. (1987). Human aging: usual and successful.Science, 237(4811), 143-149.

Segerstrom, S. C., & Miller, G. E. (2004). Psychological stress and the human immune system: a meta-analytic study of 30 years of inquiry.Psychological bulletin, 130(4), 601.