Stress

Question 1

What occurs in the neural component of acute stress response?

Answer 1

Sympathetic nervous system
- increased cardiac output that is redirected to muscles
- stimulation of adrenaline release

Question 2

What occurs in the hormonal component of the acute stress reaction

Answer 2

Adrenaline secreted by adrenal medulla
- prolongs effects of sympathetic nerves

Glucocorticoid release e.g. cortisol
- by adrenal cortex
- increases metabolism and effect of adrenaline

Question 3

How can corticosteroid therapy affect the natural stress response?

Answer 3

Long term use of corticosteroids for anti inflammatory processes can cause suppression of natural stress response

• normal stress response does not occur
• cortisol cannot control normal physiological response
• body goes into adrenal shock

Question 4

Symptoms of adrenal crisis?

Answer 4

Low blood pressure

Nausea and vomiting

Confusion / altered mental state

Abdominal pain

Weakness and fatigue

Question 5

Symptoms of Cushings?

Answer 5

Poor resistance to infection - cortisol is potent anti-inflammatory

Psychiatric disorder

Skin pigmentation / striae

Moon face / obesity - cortisol affects fat redistribution

Hypertension - cortisol affects fluid and salt retention

Osteoporotic changes / fractures

Question 6

What is cushings?

Answer 6

Excess glucocorticoid production
- caused by medication or issue with adrenal gland

Excess ACTH production from the gland

Question 7

Function of cortisol in the body?

Answer 7

Fight or flight response
- body cope with stressful situation

Metabolism regulation
- glucose metabolism

Immune function
- potent anti-inflammatory

Circadian rhythm regulation

Blood pressure regulation
- vasoconstriction and fluid balance

Tissue repair and maintenance
- regulate calcium and amino acid production

Anti-stress feedback loop
- elevated cortisol signal hypothalamus to reduce cortisol production