One effect of stress that is especially concerning to researchers is that some damage may be passed down to the next generation. Evidence is building that some epigenetic changes in gene expression can be inherited. For example, the children of mothers who had chronic stress during pregnancy have higher-than-normal rates of mood and behavior ailments as adults. The offspring of those who lived through a grave famine were found to have altered genes for obesity. These epigenetic effects, caused by stressful life events, have prompted researchers to explore what other stress damage may be inherited.

MANAGE YOUR STRESS VIDEOS

CHAPTER 1 What Causes Stress? When you face challenges that seem beyond your control, your body's stress response takes over. VIEW VIDEO

CHAPTER 3 Fight or Flight A perceived threat triggers this heart-pounding, muscle-tensing state of alertness. VIEW VIDEO

CHAPTER 8 Stress Takes a Toll Over time, stress raises your risk of cardiovascular disease, digestive ailments and more. VIEW VIDEO

CHAPTER 10 Stress & the Growing Brain Babies and kids who endure traumatic events develop different brain structure as they grow up. VIEW VIDEO

CHAPTER 14 Your Genes & Stress Stress is one factor that can cause certain genes to switch on or off, affecting inherited traits. VIEW VIDEO

CHAPTER 16 (currently viewing) Inherited Stress Damage There is growing evidence that some stress-induced changes in gene expression care passed on to children. VIEW VIDEO

CHAPTER 17 How Stress Ages Us Part of our chromosomes that protects our cells during cell division can be damaged by stress, causing speedier aging. VIEW VIDEO

CHAPTER 20 Coping with Stress You can't eliminate stress from your life, but you can minimize the harm by learning to manage it. VIEW VIDEO

CHAPTER 25 Meditation in Focus One method of stress-reduction, meditation, brings measurable physical and emotional improvements. VIEW VIDEO