Question

• Stress and Disease: Describe the physiologic effects on body systems of increased cortisol levels released during the stress response.

Answer 1

• The hypothalamus is responsible for stress response.
• When the person feels stressed, two structures such as the pituitary gland and adrenal medulla are stimulated.
• The short term response is produced by the sympathomedullary pathway and the long term response is stimulated by the Hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal system.
• when the stress is triggered, the hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete the adrenocorticotrophic hormone.
• ACTH then stimulates the adrenal gland to secrete cortisol.
• Cortisol is responsible for fight or flight response by increasing blood glucose levels and make the brain utilize it to increase energy production.
• But too much release of cortisol level suppresses the immune system, increase blood pressure and blood sugar level.
• It inhibits insulin production to utilize glucose which results in diabetes.
• Repeated elevation of cortisol increases the fat storage and results in obesity.
• Cortisol reduces the inflammation of the body and so it suppresses the immune system.
• Increased cortisol disturbs the digestion and the absorption problem results in irritable bowel syndrome.
• Too much cortisol constricts the blood vessels and leads to cardiovascular problems.
• It affects menstrual cycles and normal ovulation processes.