Definitions second midterm Flashcards
life events
- life events: a term used to describe occurences in a person´s life which may be viewed positively or negatively but which inherently require some adjustment on the part of the person (e.g. marriage, loss of job). Such events are implicated in the experience of stress
denial response:
taking a view that denies any negative implications of an event or stimulus. If subconscious, it is considered a defence mechanism).
a distancing response:
tanking a detached view, often a scientific view, of an event of stimulus in order to reduce emotional activation
appraisal
(interpretations of situations, events or behaviour that a person make)
- Stress reactivity
: the physiological arousal, such as increased heart rate or blood pressure, experienced during a potentially stressful encounter
- General adaption syndrome:
a sequence of physiological responses, prolonged stress, from the alarm stage throughout the resistance stage to exhaustion
Hans Selye´s stress model
- Hans Selye (1956) concluded that there were universal and non-specific responses to stress: i.e. the same physiological responses followed a range of stimuli, whether pleasant or unpleasant, and that the “fight-flight” response was only the first stage of responses to stress
- General adaption syndrome: a sequence of physiological responses, prolonged stress, from the alarm stage throughout the resistance stage to exhaustion (Selyes model)
• the response to stress is seen to initiate drive of living organisms to maintain internal balance, i.e. homeostasis, in a three-stage process:
1) alarm reaction awareness of a stressor is the initial response causing a downturn in bodily defences, and blood pressure and heart rate may initially decrease before rising to higher than normal levels cannot be maintained for long periods activation of anterior-pituary-adrenal cortex system
2) stage of resistance body tries to adapt to a stressor that has not subside in spite of resistance efforts made during the first stage arousal decreases but still higher than normal
3) stage of exhaustion would occur if the resistance stage lasts too long, resulting in depletion of body resources and energy
Kaposi´s Sarcoma
a maligant tumour of the connective tissue, often associated with AIDS. The tumours consists of bluish-red or purple lesions on the skin. They often appear first on the feet or ankles, thighs, arms, hands and face
autoimmune conditions
a group of diseases, including type 1 diabetes, Chron´s disease and rheumatoid arthritis, characterised by abnormal functioning of the immune system in which it produces antibodies against its own tissues - it treats “self” as “non-self”
pancreas
gland in which the islets of langerhans produce insulin - also produces secretes digestive enzymes.
rheumatoid arthritis
a chronic autoimmune diseases with inflammation of the joints and marked deformities
fistulas
formation of small passages that connect the intestine with other organs or the skin
inflammatory bowel disease
a group of inflammatory conditions of the large intestine and, in some cases, the small intestine. the main forms of IBD are Crohn´s disease and Ulcerative colitis
Crohn´s disease: autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract but most commonly occurs in the ileum (the area where the small and large intestine meet)
ulcerative colitis: a chronic inflammatory disease of the large intestine, characterised by recurrent episodes of abdominal pain, fever and severe diarrhoea
tachycardia
high heart rate - usually defined as greater than 100 beats per minute
irritable bowel syndrome
a disorder of the lower intestinal tract. Symptoms include pain combined with altered bowel habits resulting in diarrhoea, constipation or both. It has no obvious physiological abnormalities, so diagnosis is by the presence and pattern of symptoms
prognosis
the predicted outcome of a disease
aorta
the main trunk of the systemic arteries, carrying blood from the left side of the heart to the arteries of all limbs and organs except the lungs
defibrillator
a machine that uses an electric current to stop any irregular and dangerous activity of the heart´s muscles. it can be used when the heart has stopped (cardiac arrest) or when it is beating in a highly irregular (and ineffective) manner
exogenous
relating to things outside the body
erythrocyte
a mature blood cell that contains haemoglobin to carry oxygen to the bodily tissues
platelets
tiny bits of protoplasm found in the blood that are essential for blood clotting. These cells bind tighter to form a clot and prevent bleeding at the site of injury
baroreceptors
sensory nerve endings that are stimulated by changes in pressure. Located in the walls of blood vessels such as the carotid sinus
carotid artery
the mind artery that takes blood from the heart via the neck to the brain
heart failure
a state in which the heart muscle is damaged or weakened and is unable to generate a cardiac output sufficient to meet the demands of the body
atheroma
fatty deposit in the intimate (inner lining) of an artery
ACE inhibitors
Angiotensin 2 causes the muscles surrounding blood vessels to contract and thereby narrows the blood vessels. Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors decrease the production of angiotensin 2, allowing blood vessels to dilate, and reduce blood pressure
diuretics
elevates the rate of bodily urine excretion, reducing the amount of fluid within the cardiovascular system, and reducing pressure within
beta-blockers
block the action of epinephrine and norepinephrine on B-adrenergic receptors, which mediate the fight-or-flight response, within the heart and in muscles surrounding the arteries. In doing so, they reduce increases in blood pressure associated with sympathetic activation
low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
the main function of LDL seems to be to carry cholesterol to various tissues throughout the body. LDL is sometimes referred to as “bad” cholesterol because elevated levels of LDL correlate most directly with coronary heart disease
high-density lipoprotein (HDL)
lipoproteins are fat protein complexes in the blood that transport cholesterol, triglycerides and other lipids to various tissues. The main function of HDL appears to be to carry excess cholesterol to the liver for “re-packing” or excretion in the bile. Higher levels of HDL seem to be protective against CHD, so HDL is sometimes referred to as “good” cholesterol
statins
drugs used to reduce cholesterol levels
myocardinal infarction
death of the heart muscle due to a stoppage of the blood supply. More often known as heart attack
clot busters
drugs which dissolve clots associated with myocardinal infarction and can prevent damage to the heart following such an event. Are best used within one hour of the infarction
angina
severe pain in the chest associated with a temporary insufficient supply of blood to the heart
vasospasm
a situation in which the muscles of artery walls in the heart contract and relax rapidly, resulting in a reduction of the flow of blood through artery
Coronary artery bypass graft
surgical procedure in which veins or arteries from elsewhere in the patient´s body are grafted from the aorta to the coronary arteries, bypassing blockages caused by atheroma in the cardiac arteries and improving the blood supply to the heart
emphysema
a late effect of chronic infection or irritation of the bronchial tubes. When the bronchi become irritated, some of the airways may become obstructed or the walls of the tiny air sacs may tear, trapping air in the lung beyond them. As a result, the lungs may become enlarged, at the same time becoming less efficient in exchanging oxygen for carbon dioxide