stress and the body
TRANSCRIPT
Stress and the BodyCourtney Dowell, MPH, CHESThomas Nelson Community College
Objectives
Describe the role of stress in diseaseDiscuss how stress can affect each of the body
systemsDiscuss various diseases associated with stressExplain the relationship between stress and the
immune response
Section 1: Effects of Stress on the Body
Systems of the Body
Nervous
Cardiovascular MuscularSkinGastrointestinal ImmuneEndocrine
Impact of Stress on Cardiovascular System
Oxytocin and vasopressin constrict the walls of blood vessels
Vasopressin and aldosterone result in increased blood pressure
Heart increases force of contraction
Myocardial stunning – severe shock that can result in heart failure
Systems of the Body
NervousCardiovascular
MuscularSkinGastrointestinal ImmuneEndocrine
Impact of Stress on Muscular System
Persistent contraction of musclesCalled???
Smooth muscles also contractedResult?
Systems of the Body
NervousCardiovascularMuscular
SkinGastrointestinal ImmuneEndocrine
Impact of Stress on Integumentary System (Skin) Increases in perspiration/surface temperature falls
Premature agingProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences supports that chronic stress can shorten the lifespan of cells
Cells of subjects aged 9-17 years more
Indirect impacts can affect premature aging too
Systems of the Body
NervousCardiovascularMuscularSkin
Gastrointestinal ImmuneEndocrine
Impact of Stress on Gastrointestinal SystemSaliva reduced – dry mouth
Contractions (bracing) of esophagus make swallowing difficult
Hydrochloric acid increasesProtective mucus decreases
Peristalsis impactedDiarrhea or constipation
Systems of the Body
NervousCardiovascularMuscularSkinGastrointestinal
ImmuneEndocrine
Impacts of Stress on Immune System
Thymus, spleen and lymph nodes shrinkWhite blood cells decrease/disappear
Think about the functions of all those types of white blood cells
Measures of PerformanceT cell count - normalAIDS – T cell count
College students have lower immune function during exam periods
Systems of the BodyNervousCardiovascularMuscularSkinGastrointestinal Immune
Endocrine
Impacts of Stress on Endocrine System
Hormones trigger major changes in the body (homeostasis disrupted)
CortisolAdrenalineNoradrenaline
Effects of Medium-Term StressMuscles Tension/PainHeadachesFatigueUpset StomachDifficulty SleepingBruxismCold or Sore Throat
Effects of Long-Term StressHeart Immune SystemAging Inflammation
Section 2: Stress & Disease
Connection of Stress & DiseaseDemonstrated by release of hormones (during stress response)Body response that can protect us can also damage us
How we respond to stressorHealthy Unhealthy
Impacts of StressDirect – physiological response
Increased blood pressureGrinding teethSuppressed immune function
Indirect – behaviors that result from stressSmokingAlcoholDrug abusePoor nutritionLack of sleep
Stress & Disease
HypertensionCardiovascular DiseaseStrokeCancerUlcersHeadachesBruxismAutoimmune DiseasesOther
References
Oplin, M. & Hesson, M. (2013). Stress management for life: A research-based experiential approach (third edition). Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth.
Websites and Images Template and images courtesy of Microsoft Office clip art