“Stress can be defined as any type of change that causes physical, emotional or psychological strain.”

Eustress – fun and exciting Acute stress – short-term Episodic acute stress – way of life Chronic stress – long-term Estimated that 90% of doctor visits are

stress-related

Depression Diabetes Hair loss Heart disease Hyperthyroidism – Graves disease Obesity Obsessive compulsive or anxiety disorder Tooth and gum disease Ulcers Cancer – study by Ohio State University

Adrenaline is the most well known hormone that is secreted from the 2 adrenal glands on top of each kidney› Works with the

nervous and immune system to manage stress

Enzymes transform cholesterol into adrenaline.

C9H13NO3

Steroid hormone› Releases glucose into the bloodstream

Energy Usually higher in the morning

› Helps body cope with stress› Controls blood sugar and blood pressure

levels› Helps assist the immune system

During the “fight-or-flight” reaction, epinephrine and cortisol are released into the bloodstream › Heart pumps faster › Increased blood

pressure› Narrows blood vessels

which increases blood flow to major muscle groups

Stimulates cardiac action in cardiac arrest

Vasoconstrictor› Increases blood pressure during

anaphylactic reactions (EpiPen) Bronchodilator

› Causes smooth muscle relaxation and controls wheezing

High Intensity Exercise Sleep deprivation Life-Endangering Situations (including artificial

situations)› Prepares the body for defense

Stimulants such as caffeine, cocaine, and heroine› Closes blood vessels in the brain so the brain and body

cannot sleep Stress

› Helps us to get work done, but can cause illness if there is too much

› Tenses muscles Sugar

Completely nonfunctional adrenal glands› Weight loss› Excessive loss of salt› Very low blood pressure

Regular exercise› Burns off adrenaline and loosens muscles

tension Stress management techniques

After a threat has dissipated, the body naturally returns to its normal functions

Acute stress Chronic Stress

› Meditation› Yoga› Deep breathing exercises › Stress counseling/management

<http://www.causeof.org/adrenal.htm#WhatIs>. <http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/663adrenergic.html>. <http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/archives/fdaDrugInfo.cfm?

archiveid=7150>. <http://stress.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/

XJ&zTi=1&sdn=stress&cdn=health&tm=262&gps=90_1077_1419_726&f=11&su=p1051.2.336.ip_&tt=2&bt=0&bts=1&zu=http%3A//psychcentral.com/library/stress_cancer.htm>.

"Mind/Body Medicine." Harvard Health Publications (2002). <http://stress.about.com/od/stressmanagementglossary/g/

Chronicstress.htm>. <http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/stresshealth.htm>. <http://stress.about.com/od/stressmanagementglossary/g/

Epinephrine.htm>. <http://stress.about.com/od/stressmanagementglossary/g/

relaxationresp.htm>. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001398/