This document discusses the effects of stress on the body's systems and the relationship between stress and disease. It describes how stress can impact the nervous, cardiovascular, muscular, skin, gastrointestinal, immune, and endocrine systems. Prolonged stress is associated with increased risk of health issues like hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. Both the direct physiological effects of stress hormones and indirect impacts of unhealthy behaviors that sometimes result from stress can damage the body over time and are implicated in the development of various diseases.

1. Stress and the Body
Courtney Dowell, MPH, CHES
Thomas Nelson Community College

2. Objectives
 Describe the role of stress in disease
 Discuss how stress can affect each of the body
systems
 Discuss various diseases associated with stress
 Explain the relationship between stress and the
immune response

3. Section 1:
Effects of Stress on the
Body

4. Systems of the Body
 Nervous
Cardiovascular
 Muscular
 Skin
 Gastrointestinal
 Immune
 Endocrine

5. Impact of Stress on Cardiovascular
System
Oxytocin and vasopressin constrict the walls of
blood vessels
Vasopressin and aldosterone result in
increased blood pressure
Heart increases force of contraction
Myocardial stunning – severe shock that can
result in heart failure

6. Systems of the Body
 Nervous
 Cardiovascular
Muscular
 Skin
 Gastrointestinal
 Immune
 Endocrine

7. Impact of Stress on Muscular System
Persistent contraction of muscles
Called???
Smooth muscles also contracted
Result?

8. Systems of the Body
 Nervous
 Cardiovascular
 Muscular
Skin
 Gastrointestinal
 Immune
 Endocrine

9. Impact of Stress on Integumentary
System (Skin)
Increases in perspiration/surface temperature
falls
Premature aging
Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences supports that chronic stress can
shorten the lifespan of cells
Cells of subjects aged 9-17 years more
Indirect impacts can affect premature aging
too

10. Systems of the Body
 Nervous
 Cardiovascular
 Muscular
 Skin
Gastrointestinal
 Immune
 Endocrine

11. Impact of Stress on
Gastrointestinal System
Saliva reduced – dry mouth
Contractions (bracing) of esophagus make
swallowing difficult
Hydrochloric acid increases
Protective mucus decreases
Peristalsis impacted
Diarrhea or constipation

12. Systems of the Body
 Nervous
 Cardiovascular
 Muscular
 Skin
 Gastrointestinal
Immune
 Endocrine

13. Impacts of Stress on Immune
System
Thymus, spleen and lymph nodes shrink
White blood cells decrease/disappear
Think about the functions of all those types
of white blood cells
Measures of Performance
T cell count - normal
AIDS – T cell count
College students have lower immune function
during exam periods

14. Systems of the Body
 Nervous
 Cardiovascular
 Muscular
 Skin
 Gastrointestinal
 Immune
Endocrine

15. Impacts of Stress on Endocrine
System
Hormones trigger major changes in the body
(homeostasis disrupted)
Cortisol
Adrenaline
Noradrenaline

16. Effects of Medium-Term Stress
 Muscles Tension/Pain
 Headaches
 Fatigue
 Upset Stomach
 Difficulty Sleeping
 Bruxism
 Cold or Sore Throat

17. Effects of Long-Term Stress
 Heart
 Immune System
 Aging
 Inflammation

18. Section 2:
Stress & Disease

19. Connection of Stress & Disease
Demonstrated by release of hormones
(during stress response)
Body response that can protect us can
also damage us
How we respond to stressor
Healthy
Unhealthy

20. Impacts of Stress
Direct – physiological response
 Increased blood pressure
 Grinding teeth
 Suppressed immune function
Indirect – behaviors that result from stress
 Smoking
 Alcohol
 Drug abuse
 Poor nutrition
 Lack of sleep

21. Stress & Disease
Hypertension
Cardiovascular Disease
Stroke
Cancer
Ulcers
Headaches
Bruxism
Autoimmune Diseases
Other

22. References
Oplin, M. & Hesson, M. (2013). Stress management for life: A research-based
experiential approach (third edition). Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth.
Websites and Images
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