How PTSD Affects the Body in Veterans
Download MP3Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often discussed in terms of mental health, but its effects extend far beyond the mind. In this episode, we explore the science behind how PTSD can impact the body, particularly in veterans who have experienced prolonged stress and high-intensity environments during military service.
We discuss how chronic stress responses can influence multiple systems in the body, including the cardiovascular, immune, and nervous systems. Understanding these physiological changes can help explain why some veterans experience long-term physical health challenges alongside PTSD.
By breaking down the science behind these connections, this episode aims to provide a clearer understanding of how psychological trauma can have lasting physical effects.
In This Episode We Discuss
- How PTSD affects the body’s stress response system
- The role of the nervous system and chronic stress
- Links between PTSD and cardiovascular health
- Immune system and inflammatory changes associated with trauma
- Why PTSD can contribute to long-term physical health issues in veterans
Creators and Guests
Host
Leah Bucholz
Leah Bucholz is an Army combat veteran, board-certified Physician Assistant, former VA C&P examiner, and the founder of Prestige Veteran Medical Consulting. Through her work in medical evidence review and veteran education, Leah helps veterans better understand the medical side of the VA disability process, including nexus letters, DBQs, C&P exams, and complex medical opinions. She is also the host of The Veterans Disability Nexus podcast, where she discusses VA disability medical evidence from an educational and evidence-based perspective.
