Acute and chronic stress

Tini M. Gruner, Southern Cross University

Abstract

Stress triggers fight/flight response with physiological changes including: – upregulation of heart rate, BP, breathing, glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, cytokine production, immune response, and water and sodium retention – downregulation of digestion, GnRH, GH, LH and TSH • Chronic stress (allostatic load) on the body leads to: – lack of hormonal inhibition through negative feedback – higher cortisol levels (with depletion in later stages) – higher disease burden • Stress-related health problems range from addictions, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, sleep disorders, impairment of cognitive function and memory, heart disease, obesity, homonal disturbances, inflammation, auto-immune disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia to digestive disorders • Stress management includes coping mechanisms such as plenty of good sleep, exercise, relaxation, wholesome diet and social support • Therapies include CBT, physical therapies, nutritional and herbal medicine and miscellaneous therapies, such as art, music and light