This paper is about the stress impact on the immune system from a psychoneuroimmunological perspective.
Stress can be viewed as a psychological or physical strain that results in worry. Earlier species of mammals were subjected to environmental stressors such as wildlife predators that elicited physiological survival instincts.
However, as contemporary mammals have evolved, so too has the environmental stimuli that trigger their physiological responses. When the body is subjected to distressing stimuli, the sympathetic-adreno-medullar (SAM) prepares the body for the sympathetic “fight-flight-freeze” response by releasing noradrenaline and norepinephrine.
The heart rate and blood pressure increase, and muscles are activated. Simultaneously, the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) releases glucocorticoids, which mobilizes cortisol to ensure the body is receiving a steady level of blood sugars to meditate the effects of stress. As the energy is directed elsewhere, resources are reduced in essential functions such as growth, repair, immunity and digestion.
Notably, neurological pathways provide functionality and sustainability for the brain; however, when responding to distressing experiences, the brain can experience dysregulation, whereby the duration and magnitude of distress can alter the immune system’s ability to reduce potentially detrimental health outcomes.
The unpredictability of health outcomes can occur with short-term stressors as well as long-term life-altering stressors, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), which are both explored in this work.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Stress and the Immune System
- Acute Stress
- Chronic Stress
- Trauma and the Brain
- Trauma and Memory Dysfunction
- Race-Related Stress and Chronic Kidney Disease
- Racial Discrimination and Health Disparities
- The Role of the Autonomic Nervous System
- Stress, Hypertension, and CKD
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This text aims to explore the relationship between stress and various health outcomes, including immunological changes, trauma-related brain dysregulation, and the impact of race-related stress on chronic kidney disease (CKD). It examines how different stressors, both acute and chronic, can affect the body's physiological responses and lead to potential health complications.
- The impact of stress on the immune system and its adaptability
- The neurological effects of trauma and their implications for memory and cognitive function
- The role of race-related stress in health disparities, particularly within the African American community
- The influence of stress on the autonomic nervous system and its connection to hypertension and CKD
- The interplay between physiological responses, social factors, and health outcomes
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Stress and the Immune System: This section explores the concept of stress as a physiological response to environmental stimuli. It differentiates between acute and chronic stress, highlighting their respective impacts on immune system adaptability. Studies are presented that illustrate how stress can compromise the body's ability to fight off infections and heal wounds.
- Trauma and the Brain: This section delves into the long-term effects of trauma on the brain's structure and function. It focuses on the impact of trauma on memory, particularly verbal declarative memory, and explores the role of brain regions like the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex in emotional regulation and memory processing. Research on PTSD and its neurological consequences is discussed.
- Race-Related Stress and Chronic Kidney Disease: This section examines the connection between race-related stress and health disparities, with a particular focus on CKD within the African American community. It discusses how racial discrimination can lead to increased stress levels, which in turn can contribute to poorer health outcomes. The role of the autonomic nervous system and its link to hypertension and CKD are explored.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The text focuses on the complex interplay between stress, the immune system, brain function, and health disparities. Key concepts include acute and chronic stress, trauma, PTSD, race-related stress, chronic kidney disease (CKD), autonomic nervous system, hypertension, inflammation, and health disparities. The text highlights the significant impact of social and environmental factors on physiological outcomes.
- Quote paper
- Emonie Carter-hale (Author), 2021, The stress impact on the immune system from a psychoneuroimmunological perspective, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1185860