Stress Flashcards
stress
physical, chemical, or psych factors that produce tension in body and mind; internal and external environment that; associated with many phys/social health problems
Homeostasis
all body systems at the idea set point (mental, VS, pH)
pH
acidity of blood based on concentration of H+ and CO2 ions
allostasis
helps body achieve homeostasis–short-term response to stressor; anticipation of increased demand (ex: RR inc with exercise bc will need more oxygen); alters physiologic variables to meet demand
Stressor
what causes stress; actual force exerted
eustress
positive reaction of body like due to promotion, getting into school
distress
negative reaction to stress; can be bad if doesn’t let up
Factors that influence our response to stress
genetics, culture, personality, prior experiences, pre-existing health status, psychological state, allostatic state, ability to manage stress
coping
actions directed at a stressor; effective if relieves the stress
General adaptation syndrome and stages
body’s natural and generalized response to any stressor, actual or psychological; alarm, resistance, exhaustion
alarm stage
initial arousal in response to stressor–initial defense mechanism; flight or flight
Processes associated with alarm stage
HPA axis, adrenergic response
Adrenergic response to stress
Hypothalamus releases CRH which activates the SNS which stimulates the adrenal medulla to release catecholamines
Catecholamines
Norepinephrine and epinephrine
HPA axis
Hypothalamus releases CRH which stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to release ACTH which causes the adrenal cortex to release glucocorticoids like cortisol
SNS response
dilate pupils, inhibit saliva, inc HR, dec urination, dec peristalsis, dilate bronchi, convert glycogen to glucose, secrete EPI and NOR
PNS response
rest and digest; occurs while sleeping
Norepinephrine functions
constricts smooth muscle and maintains BP; dilates pupils, dec gastric secretion, inhibit insulin secretion from the pancreas, promote cytokine production which suppresses the immune system
Epinephrine
enhances heart contractility and venous return, inc cardiac output, relax smooth muscle for better breathing, inhibits insulin secretion from the pancreas, releases glucose from the liver, promotes cytokine production which suppresses immune fxn
Glucocorticoids
Body’s own steroids
Cortisol class and functions
main GCC; works with EPI and NOR to inc CO and BP, dec luteinizing hor, T, progesterone and estradiol; inc AA levels by breaking down pro, atrophy of lymph tissue which suppresses the immune system and saves energy, limited inc in WBC responses
Mineralcorticoids
Adrenal gland produces aldosterone which absorbs Na and water retention, excretes K+ and H+
Catecholamines and GCCs fxn short-term and long-term
Development of memory of stress, contributes to PTSD; in the short term teaches defense/avoidance strategies
Resistance stage
body adapts to ongoing stress and counteracts with continued hor and catecholamine release which takes lots of energy; either stress is removed (PNS takes over) or run out of energy and lack cortisol and cats
What response do we get when the PNS takes over?
Cholinergic response
Exhaustion stage
stress not relieved and body can’t achieve homeostasis; hypertrophy of adrenal cortex, atrophy of lymphatic tissue, depleted energy, inability to adapt
Chronic stress response
neg impact on physical and mental wellbeing, immunosuppression from cortisol, dec WBC response, atrophy of thymus and dec T-cell which caused dec immunity; excessive catecholamine response; poor health outcomes
Worst case scenario with stress
Depleted energy–inability to adapt–death
allostatic overload
chronic stress triggers long-term dysregulation of HPA axis and SNS response causing exhaustion and stress-induced disease/disorder
Allostatic overload sx
hair loss, tension, mouth sores, asthma, palpitations, tics, digestive dx, irritable bladder, acne, irregular periods, sleep disturbances
Sleep disturbance s/s
irritability and moodiness, apathy, impaired memory, poor judgement, hallucinations
Stress puts you at higher risk of which diseases?
CAD, HTN, stroke, tension HAs, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune disorder, IBS, ulcers, sexual dx, type 2 DM
What does overproduction of stress hormones affect?
Memory, MDD, immunosuppression–inc risk of infection, autoimmune dx, dec healing, prolongation of existing infection
Cortisol effects
Short term—effects opposite insulin–inc glucose release, stim liver to store glucose as glycogen, dec peripheral glucose utilization, inhibits glucose uptake by muscles and adipose tissue; protein metabolism–initially uses AA for energy but long term causes protein atrophy
Longer term—fat redistribution–lipolysis in extremities and lipogenesis in face and trunk
Behavioral SNS response
Dec libido, Dec irritability, Dec sleep
