T1-General Adaptation Syndrome & Stress Flashcards
A biological, psychological, social, or chemical factor that causes physical or emotional tension and may be a factor in the etiology of certain illnessess
Stressor
The state manifested by a specific syndrome which consists of all the nonspecifically induced changes within a biologic syndrome
Hans Seyle’s definition of stress
What are the syndrome of symptoms come to be known as?
“Fight or flight” syndrome
*Fight or flight= prepares the body for a physical reaction to a threat–hypothalamaus signals the SNS to release EPI and NOREPI, these propel the body and mind into state of arousal
The general reaction of the body to stress
General adaptation syndrome
What are the 3 distinct stages of GAS?
- Alarm Reaction
- Stage of Resistance
- Stage of exhaustion
What happens during the alarm reaction stage?
The physiological responses of the FIGHT OR FLIGHT syndrome are initiated
What happens in the stage of resistance stage?
Individual uses the physiological responses of the first stage as a DEFENSE in the ATTEMPT to ADAPT to the stressor.
What happens if adaptation occurs during the stage of resistance?
The third stage is prevented or delayed; physiologic symptoms may disappear at this point of the stage if adaptation occurs
What happens in the stage of exhaustion?
This stage occurs when there is PROLONGED exposure to the stressor to which the body has become adjusted. The adaptive energy is DEPLETED, and the individual can no longer draw from the resources for adaptation described in the first two stages
What may occur in the third stage?
Diseases of adaptation may occur (headache, mental disorders, CAD, ulcers, colitis)—without interventions for reversal, exhaustion, and in some cases even death ensues
What does the body do in the Alarm Stage of GAS?
- Pupils dilate
- Bladder contracts/spincter relaxes
- Digestion slows and gastric motility decreases
- Immune system is depressed but RBC AND PLATELET PRODUCTION INCREASES
- HR Increases
- Bronchials dilate (to increase O2 intake)
Lots more.. basically your body is responding as if it would need to fight
What are the physiological responses going on during the Resistance Stage of GAS?
The physiological responses strengthen the body to adapt and achieve homeostasis or self protection–> so the individual behaves in self protective ways:
- sleep
- exercise
- leave danger or stress
- seek help
What stage is an intellectual, emotional, physiological, and behavioral process?
Stage 2 (Resistance)
So what if all best efforts fail due to poor defense or protective mechanisms or the stress is prolonged or the individual experiences multiple stressors?
There is a sustained response, which can lead to exhaustion (stage 3)
This is the stage that acute or chronic physical illness or mental health disorders appear
Exhaustion (Stage 3)
What are some examples of illnesses seen in the Exhaustion stage?
- Chronic pain
- Asthma
- Insomnia
- GI disorders
- Anxiety
- Depression
- HTN
- Addictive disorders
Who coined the word stress?
Seyle
Cascade of events in the body that prepares you to fight
Stress
What is the trigger for the GAS?
Stress