2. STRESS
What is
stress?
Pressures, demands
(stressors),
exert force on the body, stress is
the body’s response to this.
A stress response is an innate,
defensive and adaptive reaction
Stress levels also depend on
whether the person feels that they
can cope with demands placed on
them or not
3. Stressors
A stressor is a___
physical
chemical
biological agent
environmental condition
event
causes stress to an organism or
disturbances the homeostatsis
7. Nervous system
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
Consists of all neural pathways to the extremities
Triggered through the stimulation of sensory nerves
Triggers a series of involuntary chemical response throughout the
body
Central nervous system (CNS)
Brain and spinal cord
8. The Endocrine System
The endocrine system is a network of four components:
Glands
Hormones
Circulation
Target organs
Immune system
T-cells found in the form of T-helper and T-suppressor
9. A decade of brain research
•Repeated exposure to cortisol increases aging process of
brain
•Repeated exposure to cortisol damages/ shrinks brain
tissue
•Damage due to repeated exposure to cortisol appears to
be irreversible
•We are “wired for stress” for physical threats yet all
threats set the alarm
10. How does stress cause physical illness?
DIRECTLY
SUPPRESSING THE IMMUNE
SYSTEM
INDIRECTLY
Changes in health practices that will
increase risk of illness
Leucocytes (white blood cells)
Smoking
Lymphocytes (B Cells or T Cells)
Drinking
Anti bodies
Drugs
Natural killer cells
Sleeplessness
Endorphins
Exercise less
CARDIOVASCULAR
DISORDERS
Hypertension
Strokes