Stress and fatigue Flashcards
What is stress?
Non-specific response of body to any demand
What is the difference between acute and chronic stress?
Acute – quick recovery, alarm reaction, may save your life
Chronic – no recovery, constant stress, impairs immunity
What is general adaptation syndrome?
1) alarm stage – body’s defences are reduces
2) activation becomes chronic from alarm reactions to stages of resistance (defences are elevated)
3) stage of exhaustion – defences are reduced again.
What 5 factors does modern lifestyle expose us to?
noise, less family support, less rest, more information, more toxins
Explain what happens during a stress response.
Rapid activation of SNS by hypothalamus, which activates adrenal medulla and releases adrenaline and norepinephrine into blood. Hypothalamus also activates adrenal-cortical systems by release CRF, this activates pituitary to release ACTH which triggers adrenal cortex to release cortisol.
What does ACTH stand for?
Adrenocortisotropic hormone
What 6 responses are there in the alarm phase?
Increases arousal, cognition, increase b.p, h.r, suppress appetite, inhibits digestion and growth, immune function
What is the function of aldosterone?
increases water retention and blood pressure
What is the functions (5) of cortisol?
Increases glucose production, increase protein catabolism from muscle, increases vessel sensitivity, reinforces autonomic NS response, decrease inflammation response and Th1 immunity
What are the consequences of chronic stress?
Long term activation of HPA leads to adrenal exhaustion and hypo-activation
Hippocampus is desensitized and damaged resulting in prolonged alarm reaction so overproduction of cortisol which inhibits reproductive axis, growth hormone release and thyroid axis.
What are 5 physiological stressors that stop a person from coping with stress well?
inflammation, insulin resistance, obesity, endocrine disruptors, immune system
What are 5 symptoms of adrenal dysfunction?
Low energy at 3-4 pm, anxiety, cognitive dysfunction, decreased libido, caving sugar/salt
What are 5 disorders associated with HPA dysfunction?
anorexia nervosa, increased stress system, hyperthyroidism, panic disorder, depression
How does stress suppress the thyroid?
Increase CRH and cortisol decreases the production of TSH and glucocorticoids inhibit enzymes 5-deiodinase (this enzymes converts inactivates thyroxine into active triiodothyronine)
How does stress suppress the reproductive function?
CRH suppress secretion of GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone)
Glucocorticoids inhibits GnRH neuron which renders target tissues (gonads/pituitary gonadotroph) resistance to hormones
How does oestrogen contribute to stress?
Oestradiol (high levels) increase basal concentration of cortisol and ACTH.
Explain why psychological stress leads to oxidative stress.
Psychological stress can lead to a increase in reactive oxygen spp, increase activity of neutrophils causing release of oxidative metabolites and proteolytic enzymes
Glucocorticoids also increase glutamate and calcium and decrease antioxidant activity
How can prebiotics help with stress?
lowers salivary cortisol, increases BDNF (growth factors for hippocampus which shrinks when chronically stress), reduces anxiety