Stress & Fatigue

Question 1

Define stress?

Answer 1

Non specific response of the body to disturbance/demand

Stressor can be positive or negative

Identify cause fundamental in naturopathy

Question 2

4 key causes of stress

Answer 2

1. Poor nutrition - deficiencies/alcohol/ultra-processed foods
2. Personal
3. Body functions - thyroid, inflammatory conditions, hormone imbalance (COMP/MAO)
4. Environmental - phones, pesticides, chemicals

Question 3

What is general adaptation syndrome?

Answer 3

Endocrinologist Hans Selye 3 stages of stress

1. Alarm
2. Resistance
3. Exhaustion

Question 4

Detail on alarm phase of general adaptation syndrome

Answer 4

• fight or flight. Stressor - hypothalamus - sympathetic nervous system - adrenal medulla releases adrenaline and noradrenaline

Activates cytokines (increase oxidative stress)

ACTH triggers cortisol (adrenal cortex) increasing glucose, inhibiting immune and increasing pain threshold

Question 5

Detail on the resistance and exhaustion pass of general adaptation syndrome

Answer 5

Resistance - when stressor gone and individual returns to equilibrium

Exhaustion - if stress is prolonged stress hormones have negative health impact.
Cortisol can decrease leading to illness.

Question 6

What happens if stressor is too intense or too long?

Answer 6

Glucocorticoid receptors in most organs
Continued stress leads to hyperactivation of the HPAA

Cortisol dysfunction- repeated surges or cortisol leading to unmodulated inflammation