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THE PHYSIOLOGY OF STRESS

THE PHYSIOLOGY OF STRESS. Or SOME ANSWERS TO WHY I’M FEELING THIS WAY. THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. Central Nervous System (CNS) Brain Spinal cord Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) Autonomic nervous system (ANS) sympathetic nervous system parasympathetic nervous system Somatic nervous system (SNS).

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THE PHYSIOLOGY OF STRESS

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  1. THE PHYSIOLOGYOF STRESS Or SOME ANSWERS TO WHY I’M FEELING THIS WAY

  2. THE NERVOUS SYSTEM • Central Nervous System (CNS) • Brain • Spinal cord • Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) • Autonomic nervous system (ANS) • sympathetic nervous system • parasympathetic nervous system • Somatic nervous system (SNS)

  3. BRAIN STRUCTURE • Cortex • Gray matter • “Thinking” brain • Subcortex • Cerebellum • Pons • Thalamus • Hypothalamus • Medulla • Reticular activating system

  4. Stress Interactions: The Triune Brain • Hypothalamus (Reptilian Brain) • Limbic System (Old Mammalian Brain) • Cerebral Cortex (New Brain)

  5. AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM • Sympathetic • Receives “fight or flight” alarm from hypothalamus • Energizes body • Parasympathetic • Reverts body back to relaxed functioning • Usually, when one system is activated, the other is passive* • There are times when both systems are activated

  6. Tuning • Ergotropic • SNS • Fight or flight • Trophotropic • PNS • Relaxation

  7. The Endocrine System A system of glands that secrete hormones that, in turn, influence bodily functions

  8. The Pituitary Gland:The Master Gland • hormone-releasing factors and neurological connections from the hypothalamus • neurological links with limbic system & cortex • adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

  9. The Adrenal Glands • Adrenal Medulla • reacts to hypothalamic messages & releases • epinephrine (adrenalin) • norepinephrine (noradrenalin) • Dopamine • Adrenal Cortex • reacts to ACTH in the bloodstream & releases • glucocorticoids (cortisol) • mineralocorticoids (aldosterone) • gluconeogenesis

  10. The Stress Response Real or imagined stressor  Sensory nerves stimulated  SNS is activated  Hypothalamus tells pituitary to release ACTH…it does  Hypothalamus tells adrenal medulla to release epinephrine & norepinephrine…it does  ACTH tells adrenal cortex to release cortisol and aldosterone…it does 

  11. Stress Response Continued • Pupils dilate to improve vision • Perspiration increases to keep body at fight or flight temperature • Bronchi in the lungs dilate to allow increased oxygen supply • Heart rate, stroke and B/P increase for heightened blood flow to the muscles • Blood sugar increases for energy • Muscle contractions in GI tract go down • Urinary bladder relaxes • Electrical impulses go up, blood flow goes down in the skin

  12. Stress Response Continued • Blood is diverted away from digestive system & extremities to large muscles • Breathing increases & Oxygen:CO2 exchange more efficient • Endorphin levels increase to block pain

  13. Lungs • Good news: • Deeper breathing provides greater oxygen supply & efficiency • Bad news: • Lung damage from cigarette smoke and other toxins is amplified

  14. Digestive Tract • Good news: • Blood needed for fight or flight actions is diverted to large muscles • Mouth goes dry so spitting or choking isn’t an issue • Bad news: • Bloating, nausea, constipation or diarrhea • I can’t talk!

  15. Sex Hormones • Good news: • Decreased libido & fertility can result during times of overcrowding, drought and decreased food supply • Bad news: • Loss of sex drive, infertility, sexual dysfunction may outlast conditions.

  16. Multidimensional Beings We are all interconnected wholes. The mind is affected by what the body experiences and the body is ultimately affected by what the mind experiences.

  17. Where does it all go? Organ system specificity

  18. Muscles & Stress Actions: contract & relax • CHRONIC stresschronic contractionmuscle bracing • Muscle bracing • headaches • backaches • spasms of colon & esophagus • asthma • muscle pulls/tears

  19. Temporomandibular Syndrome • Facial pain • Clicking or popping sounds when opening/closing mouth • Headaches • Earaches • Women between ages of 20 & 40 • Estimates range from 28% to 80% caused by chronic teeth grinding or jaw clenching due to stress

  20. Gastrointestinal System & Stress Mouth • distress • decrease in saliva • eustress • increase in saliva Esophagus • tightens; spasms Stomach • increase in secretion of hydrochloric acid Intestines • peristalsis slows down • peristalsis speeds up

  21. Ulcers • Openings in wall of stomach or small intestine • Hans Selye • Grief studies • Cause or exacerbation?

  22. Cardiovascular System & Stress • Hypertension • Atherosclerosis • Arteriosclerosis • Vascular headache

  23. Educational programs designed to reduce hypertension include stress management.

  24. Heart attacks kill more Americans than any other single cause of death.

  25. Coronary Study • 20-40 years old • 91 of 100 held at least 2 jobs, worked more than 60 hours/week and experienced discontent with their employment. • 20% of the control group had similar occupational stress.

  26. Migraine Headaches • Constriction & dilation of carotid arteries • One side of the head • Prodrome phase • Vision disturbances • Light sensitivity • Throbbing pain • 6 – 72 hours • etiology

  27. Skin & Stress • Increase in electrical activity • release of chemicals • Decrease in temperature

  28. Immune System & Stress • Recognizes what is “self”& what is “foreign” • Attacks & kills “foreign” invaders • T-cells • fight infections • attack cancer cells • B-cells • form antibodies

  29. Stress Reactions • Too little action • infections • Cancer • Too much action • Asthma • Misguided action • rheumatoid arthritis

  30. Warning Signs • Frequent, persistent infections • “Summer colds” • Frequent, persistent skin infections such as acne • Frequent, persistent bronchitis

  31. In Addition • Antibody response is lower on days predominated by a negative moods and higher on days predominated by a positive mood • The death of a spouse can lower immune system response for 1 to 3 years • Daily distress can lower immune system response for 24 hours • Eustress can strengthen the immune system response for 36 hours

  32. Cancer • The unrestrained multiplication of cells that leads to tumors and, if untreated, organ damage • Second leading cause of death in US • Mice studies • Leshon study • Stress management techniques

  33. The Holistic Approach • Utilize techniques to minimize the frequency of the stress response • Utilize techniques to minimize the intensity of the stress response • Develop techniques to utilize stress and promote body consciousness

  34. Holistic Humor • Norman Cousins • “Anatomy of an Illness” • Research • Therapeutic effects of humor & laughter • Pain tolerance • Need for medication

  35. Physiological Effects of Humor • Strengthens immune system • Normalizes B/P • Improves digestion • Improves muscle tone • Provides cathartic release

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