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.

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