Chap. 2 Flashcards
What is the PREFRONTAL CORTEX?
High executive function, reasoning and attention (slow response to impulse inhibition).
What is the LIMBIC SYSTEM?
primitive brain system - emotional regulation during “Fight or Flight.”
What is the AMYGDALA?
Responsible for memory, decision making & regulating emotions.
Explain the “Amygdala HiJack.”
When faced with stress, there is a battle between the Prefrontal Cortex and the Amygdala. Often times, the Amygdala wins, resulting the “Fight or Flight.” Our emotions take over and we act irrationally and aggressively. This is the default response when we encounter a sense of danger or anything stressful to sustain us in our survival. However, from daily stress not causing actual danger, we can use our prefrontal cortex to override the Amygdala’s response. It can be done with conscious awareness and Behaviour-Cognitive Therapy.
What are the 2 Modes of The Automatic Nervous System (ANS)? Is one better than the other?
- Sympathetic Nervous System (“Fight or Flight”),
- Parasympathetic Nervous System (“Rest and Digest”),
No, we shall strive for a balanced amount of both as it balances our Homeostasis (internal balance).
What is the Vagus Nerve?
Primary nerve involved in Parasympathetic Nervous System
(“Rest & Digest”). Stimulates digestion, slows heart rate + blood pressure, decrease blood pressure, moderates immune system + inflammatory response + cellular regeneration.
What is the HPA Axis (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis)?
Body system that releases stress hormones adrenaline + cortisol. Hypothalamus = essential in Homeostasis of body’s functions (temperature, blood pressure, mood, hunger + thirst, sex drive + sleep) + “Thermostat” of these functions between signals from brain + peripheral cells. Link between nervous + endocrine system.
What is Cortisol?
Steroid hormone produced by adrenal glands + released in response to stress. Both Beneficial (regulation of Blood Pressure, mobilization of glucose for metabolism, decreasing inflammation) + Negative (if chronic high levels, increases health issues.)
What is the link between Stress + Chronic Diseases?
HPA Axis = central role in body stress response. Affects entire body + control system: cognitive/emotion, immune system (immunity + inflammation), metabolism + digestion. When any type of stress (social, environmental, emotional, physical, etc.) = perceived + internalized HPA Axis transmits stress response to entire body (cells, organs, body systems) via nerve impulse, neurotransmitters (EP, NE) + endocrine (cortisol) response. Chronic levels of cortisol = disregulations or disease (autoimmune, cardiovascular, intestinal, muscular.)
What is the Enteric Nervous System?
Body’s “second brain,” consists of 200-600 million nerves endings throughout Digestive System (GI). Controls motility (contractions + movements of food) , release of neurotransmitters + hormones, sensations of pain, + cross-talk w/ brain’s pov of environment (emotions, stress). Thoughts + emotions affects our GI tract functions + Vice-Versa (affects emotions, mood, thoughts, behaviour + overall health).
Stress-related GI distress is known as?
Functional Gastrointestinal Disorder.
What are some Digestive Issues related to stress?
- Acid Reflux,
- Gallstones,
- Ulcers,
- Nausea,
- Appetite Suppression,
- Indigestion,
- Intestinal/Bowel pain,
- Bloating,
- Constipation,
- Diarrhea,
- Diverticulitis,
- IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrom),
- IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Chrone’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis),
What is the Microbiota Gut-Brain Axis?
Cross-communication between the brain + gut (bidirectional). Nervous System (HPA Axis, Enteric Nervous System + Neurotransmitters, Vagus Nerve, Brain) communicates to Gut (gut bacteria, fungi, parasites, signalling proteins) + Immune Cells + Nervous System which communicates to Brain through Endocrine System + Hormones pathway, Immune Pathway + Neural Pathways.
Can Chronic Stress lead to Immune System Disregulations?
Yes.
What is an Autoimmune Disease? Give examples of diseases (18).
One of immune cells (T-Cell) gets confused + attacks nerve cells of the body instead of protecting them.
Ex:
- Multiple Sclerosis,
- Allergy,
- Scleroderma,
- Celiac Disease,
- Type 1 Diabetes,
- Rheumatoid Arthrisis,
- Asthma,
- Addison’s Disease,
- Psoriasis,
- Raynaud’s Phenomenon,
- Lupus,
- Graves Disease,
- Vitiligo,
- Polymyalgia Rheumatica,
- Sarcoidosis,
- Alopecia,
- Crohn’s Disease,
- Autoimmune Hepatitis,
