 “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. C 9 H 13 NO 3

 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

.  "Mind/Body Medicine." Harvard Health Publications (2002). . 