Final Exam Flashcards
PSYCHONEUROIMMUNOLOGY
the study of the interactions between behavioral, neuroendocrine, and immunological responses
IMMUNE SYSTEM FUNCTIONS
protects us from disease and infections using tissues that make, store, and carry white blood cells
IMMUNE SYSTEM COMPONENTS
bone marrow, tonsils, thymus, spleen, lymph, lymph nodes, and lymphatic vessels
IMMUNE RESPONSE
pathogens enter the body (make you sick) and have antigens, which help the body recognize which cells are foreign, then antibodies are released from B cells to attach to antigens and remove the pathogens from the body
WHITE BLOOD CELLS
protect against infections, many types including basophils, neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes
LYMPHOCYTES
t-cells kill viruses directly
b-cells release antibodies for specific antigens
natural killer cells control tumors and microbial infections by limiting their spread and subsequent tissue damage
CANCER
rapid reproduction of irregular or damaged cells that form a tumor
typically these cells should die off through apoptosis
METASTASIS
when the cancer spreads to parts of the body other than the original site; the cancer is still named after the original location
ex: lung cancer that metastasizes to the brain is still lung cancer
BENIGN VS. MALIGNANT
a benign tumor is not cancerous and will not spread, whereas a malignant tumor is cancerous and can spread
4 KINDS OF CANCER
carcinoma: most common, of the internal or external body surface linings (lung, breast, colon, stomach)
sarcoma: least common, of the supporting tissues (bones, fat, cartilage)
lymphoma: of the lymph nodes and white blood cells
leukemia: of the red blood cells
CANCER RISK FACTORS
excessive sun exposure
exposure to hazardous work materials
heredity/genes
high fat diet
hormones
stress: depression and maladaptive coping styles predict development of cancer and faster progression
personality: type c personality which is easy going and represses emotions
CANCER PREVENTION
limit sun exposure limit exposure to harmful chemicals or industrial pollution limit non-lean meats, fats, and calories consume fruits and veggies avoid cancer viruses like HPV
HIV/AIDS
human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
HIV is a retrovirus
HIV AS A RETROVIRUS
a retrovirus is a virus that invades a host cell to replicate its RNA to reproduce
HIV is a retrovirus that attacks CD4 T cells and replicates itself using reverse transcriptase, destroying the host cell
CD4 T CELLS
these cells are targeted by HIV and when HIV replicates itself inside, it destroys the T cell
the result is declining numbers of T cells which can eventually lead to AIDS
a healthy person should have 500-1200 T cells
HIV REGIMENTS
HIV treatment plans typically consist of 3 different antiretroviral medications for the best outcomes. Antiretroviral medications target the enzyme that allows the virus to replicate itself to stop its spread. The treatment plan a person uses depends on their symptoms, CD4 count, and viral loads
HIV WINDOW PERIOD
it takes 28 days for antibodies to become detectable in the body, but it can take up to 3-6 months, sometimes even longer
HIV HEALTH DISPARITIES
black MSM are the mostly likely to get HIV, followed by IDUs (injection drug users)
HIV CASCADE OF CARE
- diagnosed with HIV
- link PLWH with care
- engage and retain PLWH in care
- prescribe ART
- achieve viral suppression
HATZENBEUHLER
studied stigma as a fundamental cause of population health inequalities
ex: stigma caused people to have less access to multiple resources such as income, housing, health care, social support, and education
STIGMA
the co-occurrence of labeling, stereotyping, separation, status loss, and discrimination in a context in which power is exerted
FUNDAMENTAL CAUSE THEORY
health inequalities persist over time due to some social factors or circumstances that remain despite other changes
3 TYPES OF STIGMA
- Internalized: when we internalize the negative societal perceptions of our identities
- Enacted: when we experience actual stigma
- Anticipated: when we believe we will experience stigma
MEDIATORS OF STIGMA AND HEALTH DISPARITIES
mediators tell the “how” of an assocation.
ex: depression mediates stigma and health inequality (positive)
ex: social support mediates stigma and health inequality
(negative)
POLICY IS MAKING PEOPLE SICK
Dr. Eaton from Canada who runs Change the Odds says that our zipcode can predict our health outcomes and our age of death because chronic stress is experienced in impoverished neighborhoods
SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH
factors aside from medical care that can be influenced by social policies and shape health in powerful ways
ex: neighborhood walkability, SES, race/ethnicity, health care access, transportation, literacy, language access barriers, complex health needs and multiple chronic illnesses
PATIENT CONSUMERISM
this is the idea that we must be good consumers of health care–we deserve to get the care that we want because we are paying for it, so we should have the ability to shop around for different physicians until we find the right fit. this important because we need to be able to work with our physicians on our course of treatment and fully understand our diagnoses
TYPES OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS
Nurse Practitioners: see their own patients for routine care, can prescribe
Advanced Practice Nurses: more specialized care and certified in specific areas
Physicians Assistant: closest to a doctor because they go to medical school for 2 years
HEALTH PSYCHOLOGISTS AS PROVIDERS
assist diagnosis and assessment of patients’ functioning
help prepare clients before and after surgery
provide therapy alternatives to medication
teach self-care
diagnose and treat mental problems
EMOTIONAL RESPONSES TO CHRONIC DISORDERS
denial: a defense mechanism to avoid dealing with the illness–impedes treatment and compromises health
anxiety: overwhelmed by changes
depression: causes poor adherence, affects the immune system, and results in more pain and negative life events
PATIENTS’ BELIEFS ABOUT CHRONIC DISORDERS
no control: God’s will, due to stress, bacteria, injury
all in my control: more adaptive so long as they don’t harp on personal blame
which method is most adaptive depends on the individuals’ illness
INFANT MORTALITY
lack of maternal health care access
congenital abnormalities
SIDS (low SES families, mothers who smoke prenatally, and when infants sleep on their stomach or side)
CHILD MORTALITY
accidents
cancer
ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULT MORTALITY
unintentional injury homicide suicide cancer coronary heart disease
MIDDLE AGE MORTALITY
heart attack or stroke
we prefer a sudden death because it is less expensive to pay for and allows for a more graceful departure
premature deaths are those before age 79
SES is a strong determinant of premature death
PATIENT SELF-DETERMINATION ACT
ensures that patients know they have the right to make decisions regarding their medical care
RIGHT TO DIE/EUTHANASIA
argues that the chronically ill should be allowed to decide to die with dignity through physician assisted suicide
legal in Oregon, Washington DC, Vermont, California, Montana, Colorado, and Washington
BURDENS AFTER A DEATH
women: burdened by financial strain
men: burdened by strains of household care
STAGES OF DYING
denial: denying the reality of what is happening
anger: blame the well, don’t want to have to go
bargaining: make bids for their life
depression: anticipation of your own death
acceptance: at peace
HOSPICE CARE
combines palliative care with spiritual and emotional needs
no curative attempts or procedures
HOME CARE
can be less expensive
PALLIATIVE CARE
helps the patient be comfortable and manage their symptoms
CURATIVE CARE
attempts to cure the illness
BEHAVIORAL IMMUNIZATION
used to prevent poor health habits through programs focused on smoking, drug abuse, diet, and eating disorders
parents are taught how to reduce accidents, encourage good safety habits and health habits
COST EFFECTIVENESS
a comparison of expenditures and outcomes associated with doing one or more courses of action
DETERMINING EFFECTIVENESS
documenting effectiveness
presenting data to the general public
identifying critical components of interventions
