Healthcommunities.com, Doctors Helping People Online for Over 10 years Healthcommunities.com
Home Search SiteMap Contact Us Forum Store Review Board

Stress


Overview, Types, Risk Factors

Physician-developed and -monitored.

Original Date of Publication: 08 Jan 2007
Reviewed by: Karen Larson, M.D.,Stanley J. Swierzewski, III, M.D.
Last Reviewed: 18 Jun 2007

Original Source: http://www.womenshealthchannel.com/stress/index.shtml

Home » Stress » Overview, Types, Risk Factors

Overview



Stress is the body's response to physical, mental, or emotional changes, situations, and forces. Stress can result from external factors (e.g., events, environment) or from internal factors (e.g., expectations, attitudes, feelings).

Stress often occurs in response to situations that are perceived as being difficult to handle or threatening. Common causes for stress (called stressors) include illness, injury, fear, and anxiety.

Each person reacts to stress differently. A healthy response to stress begins quickly; is appropriate in degree and in length; and can improve function, motivation, and productivity.

The body's response to stress is initiated and controlled by the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). In response to a stressful situation, the brain first signals the inner portion of the adrenal gland (called the adrenal medulla) to release hormones (e.g., adrenaline [epinephrine], norepinephrine) that initiate the "flight-or-fight" response.

Next, the brain triggers the release of other hormones, such as cortisol, to sustain this response. Effects of these hormones include the following:
  • Changes in digestion (caused by increased blood flow to the muscles and reduced blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract)
  • Dilation of blood vessels
  • Increased breathing (respiration) rate
  • Increased heart rate and blood pressure (caused by increased blood flow to the brain)
  • Increased blood sugar levels (to provide more energy)

Types of Stress

Stress can be acute (short term), episodic (frequent), or chronic (long term). Acute stress, which is the most common type, results from events, pressures, and demands of the recent past and anticipated in the near future.

Acute stress that occurs frequently is called episodic stress. This type of stress is common in people whose lives are extremely busy or disorganized, and in those who tend to worry excessively.

Chronic stress is a serious condition. This type, which occurs when a stressful situation is



prolonged and continuous, often causes severe physical and emotional symptoms.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that can occur following life-threatening events, such as military action, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents, and violent personal assaults (e.g., rape).

Following severe trauma, some stress reactions do not go away and even worsen over time. People who suffer from PTSD often relive the experience through nightmares and flashbacks, have difficulty sleeping, and feel detached or estranged. These symptoms are often severe and long lasting and they can significantly impair daily life.

Risk Factors and Causes

Some people are more prone to stress than others. Personality traits that may increase the risk for stress include over-competitiveness, excitability, impatience, aggression, and pessimism.

Stress occurs in response to situations that are perceived as being difficult to handle or threatening. It can result from external factors (e.g., events, situations, environment) or internal factors (e.g., expectations, attitudes, feelings). Common causes for stress (called stressors) include physical causes, such as illness or injury, and mental (psychological) causes, such as anxiety or fear.

Stress, Overview, Types, Risk Factors reprinted with permission from womenshealthchannel.com
© 1998-2008 Healthcommunities.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.



Stress (continued...)

Comment on the above article

Browser Comments
    There are currently no comments.

Stress Resources

Join Our Stress Forum

Do you have a question, want to share medical advice, or just need to discuss your situation with someone else having a similar experience?

The healthchannels forum is a resource for everyone to share and discuss their health and medical needs with others.



Living with...Share your story

Do you have a personal health story that you would like to share with others?

As a source of free patient education, our goal is to provide our users with trustworthy information and support from others. That's why we've started our "Living with..." sections.

Our "Living With..." support pages are a place to share experiences about living with a certain condition, disease, disorder, or illness and for loved ones of those dealing with health-related issues.

Many people, especially when newly diagnosed, find comfort in knowing that others are having a similar experience.

Help others by sharing your story.

View stories already submitted.

Stay Updated

Sign up for our newsletter and receive important updates on the medical conditions that are most important to you.


To quickly access health information from your website's browser,
download Healthcommunities.com's healthchannels toolbar.



Home