Stress Response

STRESS RESPONSE
Geeta Mohan
Stress response
• When the body is exposed to harm or threat, the

result is a cluster of physiological changes referred
to as stress response or Stress.
• Stress is a biological and psychological response
experienced on encountering a threat that we feel we
do not have the resources to deal with.
• All stressors –that induce stress response produce
the same core pattern of physiological changes
Stress response
• Hans Selye 1st described stress response in 1950s.

• He emphasized its dual nature – In short term it
produces adaptive changes that help the animal to
respond to the stressor Eg: Mobilization of energy
resources
In long term it produces changes that are maladaptive
Eg: Enlarged adrenal gland
Selye attributed stress response to the activation of
anterior –pituitary - adrenal cortex system.
Stress response
A stressor is the stimulus (or threat) that causes stress, e.g. exam, divorce,
death of loved one, moving house, loss of job.
Sudden and severe stress generally produces:
* Increase in heart rate
* Increase in breathing (lungs dilate)
* Decrease in digestive activity (don’t feel hungry)
* Liver release glucose for energy

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• Our body judges a situation and decides whether or not it is

stressful. This decision is made based on sensory input and
processing (i.e. the things we see and hear in the situation)
and also on stored memories (i.e. what happened the last time
we were in a similar situation).
• If the situation is judged as being stressful, the hypothalamus
(at the base of the brain) is activated.
• The hypothalamus in the brain is in charge of the stress
response. When a stress response is triggered, it sends
signals to two other structures: the pituitary gland, and
the adrenal medulla.
• These short term responses are produced by The Fight or

Flight Response via the Sympatho medullary Pathway (SAM)
• Long term stress is regulated by the Hypothalamic Pituitary-
Adrenal (HPA) system.
Stress response
• The stressor activates the Hypothalamic Pituitary Axis

• The hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland
• The pituitary gland secretes adrenocorticotropic hormone
(ACTH)
• ACTH stimulates the adrenal glands to produce the hormone
corticosteroid
• The adrenal cortex releases stress hormones called cortisol
• This have a number of functions including releasing stored
glucose from the liver (for energy) and controlling swelling
after injury. The immune system is suppressed while this
happens.
• Cortisol enables the body to maintain steady supplies of blood
sugar
• Adequate and steady blood sugar levels help person to cope
with prolonged stressor, and helps the body to return to normal
HYPOTHALAMIC PITUITARY ADRENAL SYSTEM (HPA AXIS )
Stress response
• Sympatho medullary Pathway :The hypothalamus also activates the
adrenal medulla. The adrenal medulla is part of the autonomic nervous
system (ANS).
• The ANS is the part of the peripheral nervous system that acts as a
control system, maintaining homeostasis in the body. These activities
are generally performed without conscious control.
• The adrenal medulla secretes the hormone adrenaline. This hormone
gets the body ready for a fight or flight response.
Physiological reaction includes –
Increased heart rate Adrenaline lead to the arousal of the sympathetic
nervous system and reduced activity in the parasympathetic nervous
system.
• Adrenaline creates changes in the body such as decreases (in
digestion) and increases (sweating, increased pulse and blood
pressure).
• Once the ‘threat’ is over the parasympathetic branch takes control and
brings the body back into a balanced state.
• No ill effects are experienced from the short-term response to stress
and it further has survival value in an evolutionary context.
Stress response
Stress and immune system
The immune system is the body’s first line of

defense against invading bacteria, viruses and
other pathogens. Organs, tissues, cells and cell
products all work together to fight harmful
antigens and protect against infections.
Stress can affect the immune system in two
ways:
• By creating chronic inflammation that harms
tissues
• By suppressing immune cells needed to fight
infection
• Research has shown that those exposed to

chronic social conflict experience high levels
of stress and subsequent effect on regulation
of the immune system. This increases their
vulnerability to infectious and autoimmune
disease.
• It appears that chronic stress can reduce our
immune system’s ability to fight off antigens,
the harmful invaders that can make us ill. This
can make us more vulnerable to infections and
disease.
Immune System Suppression

During stress – that is, in ‘fight or flight’ mode –
the body begins producing more of the stress
hormone, cortisol. Cortisol works to prepare the
body to run away from the threat it thinks one is
facing. To do this, it suppresses the immune
system by lowering amounts of a protein
required for signaling other immune cells. This
in turn results in a reduced number of immune
cells known as lymphocytes (B cells and T
cells).
• Lymphocytes are a major component of the immune

system, working to recognize harmful invaders and
kill antigens that would can cause disease. With
fewer lymphocytes, the body is at increased risk of
infection and disease, and more susceptible to
contracting acute illnesses. The body also takes
longer to heal from wounds and illnesses.
• Ultimately, the immune system is considerably
weakened, resulting in not only more infections but
also potentially headaches, cardiovascular disease;
diabetes, asthma, and gastric ulcers.
Chronic Inflammation
• Cortisol is necessary to reduce inflammation in the body.

This is a good thing – but only in the short-term. Over
long periods of time, the body’s efforts to reduce
inflammation end up suppressing the immune system.
Chronic stress causes cortisol levels to keep rising, but
over time it becomes much less effective in managing
inflammation.
• Immune cells become insensitive to cortisol, allowing
the immune system to become dysregulated and
enabling runaway inflammation.
• This unabated inflammation weakens the body’s
defenses, increasing susceptibility to colds, flu, chronic
disease, and even food allergies. Because much of the
immune system is in the gut, the health of the
gastrointestinal system also suffers, which in turn can
increase the risk of autoimmune conditions such as
Celiac Disease.
• Stress hormones are designed to provide short, intense

chemical reactions in the body. They work to send the
heart into overdrive, causing it to pump out blood two or
three times faster than normal. Our pupils dilate, our
breathing quickens and our whole mind is focused on
getting away from the threat. At the same time, all other
bodily process that aren’t needed to help us “run away” are
temporarily shut down – digestion, sex drive and our
immune system.
• Long-term excess cortisol can therefore result in serious
mental and physical damage. As well as increased risk of
high blood pressure, heart disease and digestive problems,
those suffering from chronic stress may experience
anxiety, depression, and sleep problems.
• Worse still are the ‘coping strategies’ someone may use to
deal with the anxiety and depression they experience due
to ongoing stress. Unhealthy behaviors such as drinking,
drug use, and smoking are not uncommon.
How to Beat Stress and Restore Your Immune System

• Overcoming stress is the first step in getting your immune
system back in balance. While none of us can completely
eliminate stress from our lives, there are lots of ways to
minimize its impact on our mind and body.
• Probiotics are live microorganisms that live in the gut and play a
critical role in supporting your immune system . Probiotics can
enhance the immune response by activating important immune
cells (macrophages, natural killer cells and T-cells) and helping
with the release of strain-specific cytokines.
• Diaphragmatic Breathing -Deep breathing exercises 20 mts /day
can help enhance the heart, brain and immune system
• Exercise A regular exercise routine may be the simplest and
most effective way to get your stress levels back in
check, improves your ability to cope with stress, boosts
resistance to infection, strengthens physical condition, and
helps in fighting disease.
• Less Stress Means Fewer Infections
Stress response
Stress response
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STRESS RESPONSE

• When the body is exposed to harm or threat, the

• Hans Selye 1st described stress response in 1950s.

Sudden and severe stress generally produces:

* Increase in heart rate

* Increase in breathing (lungs dilate)

* Decrease in digestive activity (don’t feel hungry)

* Liver release glucose for energy

• Our body judges a situation and decides whether or not it is

• These short term responses are produced by The Fight or

• The stressor activates the Hypothalamic Pituitary Axis

The immune system is the body’s first line of

• Research has shown that those exposed to

Immune System Suppression

• Lymphocytes are a major component of the immune

• Cortisol is necessary to reduce inflammation in the body.

• Stress hormones are designed to provide short, intense

How to Beat Stress and Restore Your Immune System

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