4 Stress 1 Flashcards
Q: What is a stressor?
A: A stressor is a situation that causes stress to a system, triggering a stress response.
Q: What is stress reactivity?
A: Stress reactivity refers to how an individual responds to stressors, including physiological, emotional, and behavioral changes.
Q: What are some changes in the body due to stress?
A: Changes in the body due to stress can include alterations in breathing patterns (increased risk of asthma attacks and hyperventilation), exacerbation of mental health conditions, changes in eating behavior, and gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea or constipation.
Q: What are the effects of chronic stress on the body?
A: Chronic stress can lead to persistent muscle tension, tension-type headaches, and long-term cardiovascular problems such as hypertension and an increased risk of heart attacks.
Q: What did the multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis by Everson-Rose et al. find regarding stress and stroke risk?
A: The study found that chronic stress, measured across five domains including health problems, job-related issues, relationships, and finances, predicted an increased likelihood of stroke over the follow-up period, even after accounting for demographic factors.
Q: What did Walter Cannon term the stress response, and when did he do so?
A: Walter Cannon termed the stress response the “fight or flight response” in 1915, referring to the body’s physiological reaction to stressors.
Q: What are some causes of stress?
A: Causes of stress can include physical factors (such as illness or injury), psychological factors (such as work-related stress or relationship issues), and social factors (such as financial difficulties or societal pressures).
Q: How has the nature of stress-related mortality changed over time?
A: The causes of mortality are now more related to chronic stress, reflecting the impact of long-term stress on physical health and well-being.
Q: What is the HPA axis and what hormones are involved?
A: The HPA (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal) axis is a neuroendocrine system involved in the stress response. It starts with the release of CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone) from the hypothalamus, leading to the release of ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) from the pituitary gland, which stimulates the adrenal glands to release cortisol.
Q: What is the role of cortisol in the stress response?
A: Cortisol, released by the adrenal glands in response to ACTH, helps to reduce inflammation and calm the body’s stress response.
Q: What are the functions of the hypothalamus in the brain?
A: The hypothalamus, involved in homeostasis, regulates processes such as thermoregulation, circadian rhythms, satiety, and feeding.
Q: What did Bard’s 1928 study reveal about the hypothalamus?
A: Bard’s study showed that lesions to the hypothalamus in cats led to undirected rage, indicating the hypothalamus’s involvement in emotional regulation.
Q: What is the pituitary gland and what hormones does it release?
A: The pituitary gland, often referred to as the “master gland,” is located beneath the hypothalamus and releases hormones such as somatotrophins, thyrotrophins, gonadotrophins, and corticotropins.
Q: What are the adrenal glands and what hormones do they release in response to stress?
A: The adrenal glands, located on top of the kidneys, release hormones involved in the stress response, including cortisol and adrenaline. They are also responsible for the fight or flight response.
Q: What are the symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome and Addison’s disease?
A: Cushing’s syndrome, caused by excess cortisol, can lead to symptoms such as rapid weight gain, acne, reduced libido or infertility, thin skin, and chronic tiredness. Addison’s disease, caused by insufficient cortisol production, can lead to symptoms such as weight loss, weakness, lethargy, and adrenal crisis.
