Module 3 Flashcards
Alarm
The stress system is activated when the internal or external stress is encountered
The adrenal gland releases catecholamines
Additional stressors are reduced so the body can focus
Stress system
the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, sympathetic nervous system, and adrenal gland
What do catecholamines do
This causes increased heart rate, causing blood to pump to muscles, heart, and other organs faster
Liver converts glycogen to glucose to increase energy supply
The digestive system is suppressed - suppresses hunger in turn
Blood pressure is increased due to increased heart rate
Bronchioles dilate to increase ventilation, brining more O2 into the body for energy and clear thinking
Resistance
The hypothalamus sends hormones to the pituitary gland, which sends signals to the adrenal cortex to produce corticosteroids, which participate in the resistance process - HPA Axis
Catecholamines stay elevated and body systems function at peak performance
Heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rates all increase while the digestive system stays suppressed
Liver continues to use glycogen in gluconeogenesis to keep a high level of glucose
Soon the body starts to fatigue, and the person becomes irritable and less concentrated
Exhaustion
If stress continues the body will start to feel adverse effects
Energy will be depleted and the immune system will be suppressed
The adrenal gland will become exhausted resulting in a decrease in glucose production making energy unavailable
This leads to overall disease and might be followed by the onset of illness and/or physical collapse
stress and Acute renal failure or kidney injury
Prolonged stress causes prolonged vasoconstriction which results in low blood supply to the kidneys damaging the nephrons, glomerular function, tubular necrosis, and overall decreased urinary output
stress and gastric stress ulcers
Prolonged stress causes prolonged vasoconstriction in the gastric plexus, specifically the mucosal vessels, which reduces the the production and secretion of protective gastric mucous leading to unprotected tissue exposed to chyme for prolonged period of time, inevitably leading to erosion creating an ulcer
stress and opportunist of secondary infections
Increased cortisol secretion causes a decrease in typical inflammatory response and suppresses the immune system which causes a decrease in leukocytes and lymphoid tissue, allowing more pathogens to attack.
-Due to the suppression of inflammatory responses signs and symptoms may not appear allowing the secondary infection to go unnoticed
stress and Delaying would healing
Increased cortisol causes a decrease in protein synthesis and tissue regeneration making it difficult to heal wounds
Additionally catecholamines cause vasoconstriction which decreases the O2 and nutrients available for tissue repair
With these combined and the suppressed immune system the risk of infection and scarring increase
stress and PTSD
Increased stress can lead to PTSD - which is when a person experiences a catastrophic event or personal trauma
Symptoms can manifest with in 3 months or years later
highly associated with alcohol and drug dependence
3 ways PTSD manifests
Revisiting or reliving the event
Avoidance of activities & general lack of emotional responsiveness
Dissociative state in which the person is minimally or completely unresponsive
