Stress is difficult for scientists to define because it is subjective and causes varied symptoms. Surveys show that Americans perceive more stress now than in the past, and 75-90% of doctor visits are for stress-related problems. Modern stress is caused by everyday emotional threats like traffic and arguments, which trigger the body's ancient fight-or-flight response in ways that can now be damaging. Stress affects hormones and neurotransmitters throughout the body, impacting health in still unknown ways and potentially causing diseases.

2. DEFINITION: Stress is difficult for scientists to define because it is a subjective sensation associated with varied symptoms that differ for each of us. In addition, stress is not always a synonym for distress.

3. Numerous surveys confirm that adult Americans perceive they are under much more stress than a decade or two ago. It has been estimated that 75 - 90 percent of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress related problems.

4. However, the nature of stress for modern man is caused by rather a host of emotional threats like getting stuck in traffic and fights with customers, co-workers, or family members, that often occur several times a day. Unfortunately, our bodies still react with these same, archaic fight or flight responses that are now not only not useful but potentially damaging and deadly. CAUSES OF STRESS

5. Many of these effects are due to increased sympathetic nervous system activity and an outpouring of adrenaline, cortisol and other stress-related hormones. Stress can have effects on other hormones, brain neurotransmitters, additional small chemical messengers elsewhere, prostaglandins, as well as crucial enzyme systems, and metabolic activities that are still unknown. How can stress cause so many diseases?

6. The term "stress", as it is currently used was coined by Hans Selye in 1936, who defined it as "the non-specific response of the body to any demand for change".

7. Stress was generally considered as being synonymous with distress and dictionaries defined it as "physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension" or "a condition or feeling experienced when a person perceives that demands exceed the personal and social resources the individual is able to mobilize."

8. Thanks everyone!!!