Stress (physiology): Difference between revisions
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'''Stress''' is a pathological process resulting from the reaction of the body to external forces and abnormal conditions that tend to disturb the organism's homeostasis. The term includes "aggressology" (French: agressologie) & the French "agression". <ref>''Medical Subject Headings'', National Library of Medicine</ref> "The body" is not limited to that of humans; all living organisms have stressors and stress responses, but the term is not used, by the National Library of Medicine, in indexing information on lower animals, plants or microorganisms. | '''Stress''' is a pathological process resulting from the reaction of the body to external forces and abnormal conditions that tend to disturb the organism's homeostasis. The term includes "aggressology" (French: agressologie) & the French "agression". <ref>''Medical Subject Headings'', National Library of Medicine</ref> "The body" is not limited to that of humans; all living organisms have stressors and stress responses, but the term is not used, by the National Library of Medicine, in indexing information on lower animals, plants or microorganisms. | ||
==Stress and the | ==Stress and the endocrine system== | ||
The major [[hormone|hormones]] that are produced during stress are the [[adrenal gland|adrenal glands']] secretion of [[catecholamines]], [[glucocorticoid|glucocorticoids]] and | The major [[hormone|hormones]] that are produced during stress are the [[adrenal gland|adrenal glands']] secretion of [[catecholamines]], [[glucocorticoid|glucocorticoids]] and [[DHEA]]. <ref name=Phillips>{{citation | ||
| author = Phillips AC. Burns VE. Lord JM. | | author = Phillips AC. Burns VE. Lord JM. | ||
| title = Stress and exercise: Getting the balance right for aging immunity. | | title = Stress and exercise: Getting the balance right for aging immunity. | ||
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| date= 2007 January | | date= 2007 January | ||
| UI= 17211192}}</ref> | | UI= 17211192}}</ref> | ||
==Stress and the immune system== | |||
"The major glucocorticoid, [[cortisol]] (a [[prednisone]]-like anti-inflammatory [[steroid]]) reduces the [[immune system|immune]] response. [[In vitro]] studies have shown that cortisol suppresses [[neutrophil]] function, and this can be overcome by coincubation with DHEA sulfate. catecholamines and cortisol can both be immunosuppressive if chronically elevated... In contrast, DHEA is a precursor to sex hormones and is immune enhancing.<ref name=Phillips /> | |||
==Stress reduction== | ==Stress reduction== | ||
Revision as of 13:47, 12 December 2008
Stress is a pathological process resulting from the reaction of the body to external forces and abnormal conditions that tend to disturb the organism's homeostasis. The term includes "aggressology" (French: agressologie) & the French "agression". [1] "The body" is not limited to that of humans; all living organisms have stressors and stress responses, but the term is not used, by the National Library of Medicine, in indexing information on lower animals, plants or microorganisms.
Stress and the endocrine system
The major hormones that are produced during stress are the adrenal glands' secretion of catecholamines, glucocorticoids and DHEA. [2]
Stress and the immune system
"The major glucocorticoid, cortisol (a prednisone-like anti-inflammatory steroid) reduces the immune response. In vitro studies have shown that cortisol suppresses neutrophil function, and this can be overcome by coincubation with DHEA sulfate. catecholamines and cortisol can both be immunosuppressive if chronically elevated... In contrast, DHEA is a precursor to sex hormones and is immune enhancing.[2]