Final answer:
Chronic stress leads to allostatic load and can prevent the body from shutting off its stress response, contributing to health issues like immune suppression.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chronic stress can lead to a state known as allostatic load, which can result in the body's inability to shut off the stress response. When stressors persist, the body's stress response, regulated primarily by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and stress hormones like cortisol, remains activated. This prolonged activation can lead to detrimental health effects, such as the suppression of the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections, diseases, and other health-related problems. The field of psychoneuroimmunology explores the dynamic interactions between the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems, shedding light on how chronic stress may lead to health issues by sustaining physiological reactions meant for short-term emergencies.