The document summarizes the effects of stress on the body. It describes how the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis activates the release of stress hormones like cortisol in response to stress. Short term elevation of cortisol provides energy, but long term stress leads to issues like weakened immune system. Physical effects of stress include headaches, stomach issues, rapid breathing and heart rate changes. Psychological impacts incorporate anxiety, depression and anger. Stress can also influence behaviors such as overeating, smoking and social withdrawal.

1. EFFECTS OF
STRESS
Dr. P.Naina Mohamed PhD
Pharmacologist

2. HYPOTHALAMUS-PITUITARY-ADRENAL (HPA)
AXIS IN STRESS
Hypothalamus
Release of
corticotrophin
releasing factor
(CRF)
Release of
adrenocorticotrophic
hormone (ACTH)
from Pituitary
Induction of Adrenal
cortex to release the
stress hormones,
particularly cortisol
Increases the
availability of the
body's fuel supply
(carbohydrate, fat,
and glucose)
needed to respond
to stress
Too long elevation of
cortisol levels leads to
muscle break down,
decreased inflammatory
response, and
suppression of the
immune system

3. PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF STRESS
 Tension Headache
 Back Ache
 Salivary secretion
 Diarrhoea
 Stomach Complaints
 Rapid Breathing
 Excessive Sweating
 Elevated Heart rate
 Increased Pulse rate
 Blood Pressure elevation
 Increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes
 Erectile Dysfunction
 Infertility
 Irregular menstrual cycle
 Weakening of Immune System
 Sleep Deprivation
 Fatigue

4. TENSION HEADACHE
Emotional
stress
Induce the
contraction of
skeletal muscles
of the head and
neck
Increased
oxygen demand
by tense
muscles
Blood vessels
dilated to
increase the
blood flow to
supply more
oxygen
Tension
headache

5. BACK ACHE

6. SALIVARY SECRETION
 During stressful situations, the salivary secretion
may either be increased or decreased.
 The researchers categorized the individuals as…
 Assertive Persons – Secret large amounts of
saliva.
 Passive Persons – Secret markedly decreased
amounts of saliva.

7. DIARRHOEA
Stress
Too much
stimulation of the
gastrocolic reflex
Diarrhoea

8. STOMACH COMPLAINTS

9. RAPID BREATHING

10. EXCESSIVE SWEATING

11. INCREASED HEART RATE

12. ELEVATED PULSE RATE

13. BLOOD PRESSURE ELEVATION

14. ELEVATED RISK OF TYPE 2 DIABETES

15. ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

16. INFERTILITY

17. IRREGULAR MENSTRUAL
CYCLE

18. WEAKENING OF IMMUNE
SYSTEM

19. SLEEP DEPRIVATION

20. FATIGUE

21. PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS
OF STRESS
Anxiety
Restlessness
Depression
Lack of motivation or focus
Irritability or anger
Sadness or depression

22. ANXIETY & RESTLESSNESS

23. IRRITABILITY OR ANGER
Psychological
stress
Expressions of
excessive anger
and resentment

24. BEHAVIORAL EFFECTS OF STRESS
Overeating or Undereating
Angry Outbursts
Smoking
Alcohol or Drug abuse
Social Withdrawl

25. OVER EATING

26. SMOKING

27. REFERENCES
 STRESS - The hidden adversary
Clifford B. Dobson
 Mechanisms of Physical and Emotional Stress
George P. Chrousos, D. Lynn Loriaux, Philip W. Gold
 Cytokines, Stress and Depression
Robert Dantzer, Emmanuelle E. Wollman, Raz Yirmiya
 Perspectives on Stress and Stress-Related
Topics
F. Lolas, H. Mayer