Stress and Fatigue Flashcards
What are some causes of stress?
- Poor nutrition
- Personal stress
- Poor body functions
- Environmental stressors
Each category includes specific examples that contribute to stress.
How does poor nutrition contribute to stress?
Nutritional deficiencies, such as highly-processed diets and high intake of alcohol
These dietary habits can lead to imbalances that affect overall health.
What personal factors can lead to stress?
- Not feeling happy with oneself
- Financial problems
- Problems with family members
- Problems with friends
- Problems at work
These issues can create emotional and psychological strain.
What are examples of poor body functions that can cause stress?
- Injury
- Illness
- Allergy
- Skin conditions
- Thyroid disorders
- Chronic inflammatory disorders
These health issues may disrupt normal body functioning, leading to stress.
How can detoxification affect stress hormones?
Slow or fast detoxification of certain neurotransmitters or hormones may result in imbalances in stress hormones
Specifically, imbalances can be linked to enzymes like COMT and MAO.
What are some environmental stressors?
- Radiation (e.g., mobile phones, x-rays, microwaves)
- Pesticides
- Industrial chemicals
- Household chemicals
These external factors can contribute to stress and overall health issues.
What is the general adaptation syndrome?
A term coined by Hans Selye that describes the 3 stages of a stress response
Who coined the term ‘general adaptation syndrome’?
Hans Selye
What are the three stages of the general adaptation syndrome?
- Alarm phase 2. Resistance phase 3. Exhaustion phase
What happens during the alarm phase?
Initial response often referred to as ‘fight or flight’
What is the role of the adrenal glands in the stress response?
They control and regulate the stress response
What triggers the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline during stress?
Stressor → hypothalamus → sympathetic nervous system → adrenal medulla
What does adrenaline activate during the stress response?
Inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress
What hormone is released by the anterior pituitary in response to stress?
ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone)
What does cortisol provide during the stress response?
Additional glucose, increased pain threshold, and inhibition of immune responses
Fill in the blank: The initial response to stress is known as the _______.
Alarm phase
True or False: The resistance phase is the first stage of the general adaptation syndrome.
False
What is the first phase of the general adaptation syndrome?
Alarm phase
This phase is characterized by the body’s initial reaction to a stressor.
What occurs during the resistance phase of the general adaptation syndrome?
The individual returns to a state of equilibrium after the alarm phase abates
This phase reflects the body’s attempt to adapt to the stressor.
What happens during the exhaustion phase of the general adaptation syndrome?
Equilibrium is not restored, leading to exhaustion
This phase occurs if stress is prolonged or severe.
What are the negative health effects of prolonged stress?
Prolonged release of stress hormones
This can lead to decreased cortisol levels over time, resulting in illness.
True or False: The first two phases of the general adaptation syndrome occur repeatedly in life.
True
These phases are part of evolving as human beings.
Fill in the blank: If stress is prolonged or severe, __________ results.
exhaustion
What happens if the stressor is perceived as too intense or the duration is too long?
Maladaptive responses occur, which can lead to disease.
This highlights the importance of stress management in maintaining health.