Stress, Illness and the Immune System psychology | psychology articles

 

                     Stress, Illness and the Immune System

       OUTLINE:

     In this topic we'll discuss about stress and what impact does it have, we've previously discussed about immune system. Now during this topic we'll discuss how these two terms are related and the way stress affects our system.

The immune system is a collection of billions of cells moving through the bloodstream. These include the entry and exit of the tissues and organs, in an organism, similar to the cisimləri six months of bodies (antigens) such as bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells.

·       There are two types of lymphocytes: 

1.    B-cells produce antibodies, which is the fluid that surrounds the body's cells to destroy invading bacteria and viruses.

 

2.    T-cells (see figure 2). If for a while, the inside of the cell, the T-cells to the infected sites, to multiply, and to destroy it.

 The main types of immune system cells are the white blood cells. There are two types of white blood cells, lymphocytes, and phagocytes.

 

When we experience stress, the immune system's ability to fight off antigens is reduced. This is why we are more susceptible to infections.

 

The stress hormone corticosteroid can inhibit the effectiveness of the immune system (for example, the decrease in the number of lymphocytes).

 

It can also have an indirect effect on the immune system, because of one person can be using malicious behavior policies in order to eliminate stress, such as drinking alcohol and smoking.

     INTRODUCTION:

    It is now well established that there are very complex bi•directional interactions between the CNS and thus the systemmediated by the system.

     PSYCHO IMMUNOLOGY:

     Psycho immunology is that the study of the connections between the mind and thus the system. The essential concept of psycho immunology is that the concept that the mind and body are inseparable. It follows that stress affects the body's ability to resist disease and that we experience stress thanks to some stressors.

 STRESSOR:

     Psychological stressors are known to trigger the system and thus the responses made to those stressors may end in several diseases. A stressor could also be a chemical or biohazard, condition, external stimulus or an event seen as causing stress to an organism.

  STRESS:

 

    Stress is additionally how of emotional or physical strain and pressure. Stress is our body’s reaction to a situation or challenge.

the effect on the digestive system. During times of stress, digestion is inhibited. After the stress is on the increase, the digestive activity. This may adversely affect the health of the gastro-intestinal tract and cause stomach ulcers. The adrenaline released during a stress reaction, and can be the cause of the wound.

 

Stress is a response to the motion, increases blood circulation as a result of an increase in heart rate, etc, it can also affect the immune system, as well as blood pressure.

 

Arterial hypertension (consistently high blood pressure for several weeks) is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD).

 

Stress also causes an increase in the levels of cholesterol in the blood, due to the action of epinephrine and nor epinephrine (noradrenalin) on the free fatty acid content. This creates blood clots (thrombosis), blood cholesterol particles, which leads to the formation of blood clots, heart, energy, and clogged arteries.

 

In turn, a high heart rate is associated with a faster-than-normal build-up of cholesterol in the arterial wall. High blood pressure leads to a slight loss of arteriyalar the wall, and cholesterol tend to get caught up in the injured area (Holmes, 1994).

It can also have an indirect effect on the disease, which is associated with a variety of bad habits (coping strategies), such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor nutrition due to lack of time, lack of exercise, and for the same reason, lack of sleep, and so on.

 

All of this is likely to have a negative impact on human health, it can cause a few negative effects are attributed to stress, as well.

Leaves the body vulnerable to infection and disease:A modern example is the HIV / AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Here, the immune system is suppressed, leaving the person vulnerable to disease. Stress can lead to what is commonly to diseases and infections.

 

The Stress response to exercise, increases blood circulation as a result of an increase in heart rate, etc, That can increase a person's risk of developing cardio-vascular diseases, such as coronary heart disease (CHD). People with a type of personality, And there is a high risk of developing CORONARY heart disease.

 

Stress affects the digestive system. During times of stress, digestion is inhibited. After the stress is on the increase, the digestive activity. This may adversely affect the health of the gastro-intestinal tract and cause stomach ulcers Brady's research in the Monkey (1958) is probably confirming this theory.

  STRESS AND IMMUNE SYSTEM:

    Firstly once we are stressed the hypothalamus a set of nuclei that connects the brain and system signals a pituitary to supply a hormone which successively signals adrenal to extend the assembly of cortisol referred to as stress hormone. In humans the system responds to challenging circumstances and it comprises of cells, proteins, organs and tissues that employment together to supply protection against bodily diseases.

 EFFECT OF POSITIVE STRESS ON IMMUNE SYSTEM:

     During acute stress that lasts for a matter of minutes or hours the system mobilizes cells which prepare the body for injury or infection these immune cells under the influence of cortisol fights off infections and body manages the stressful scenario.

      EFFECT OF NEGATIVE STRESS ON IMMUNE SYSTEM:Prolonged exposure to chronic stress leads to high levels of cortisol which normally reduce inflammation but the unabated inflammation weakens the body defenses against increasing its susceptibility to illness. Ultimately, the system is considerably weakened resulting in not only more infections but also potentially headaches, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, asthma and even gastric ulcers.

   LATEST RESEARCH:

     Research on the immunological effects of stress has burgeoned over the past decade following Segerstrom and Miller's meta-analysis. This research has explored new avenues, including the areas reviewed here, that show particular promise for illuminating the conditions under which stress impacts the immune system. Further work in this area may help to treat or even prevent morbidity. Overall, this area of research is broad, rapidly developing, and holds promise for improving human health.

                  REFERENCES:

 Segerstrom SC, Miller GE. Psychological stress and the human immune system: a meta-analytic study of 30 years of inquiry. Psychol Bull. 2004;130:601–630. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

 Davis, C. P. (2020, 3 11). medicine net. Retrieved 05 25, 2021, from medicine net website: https://www.medicinenet.com/rheumatoid_arthritis_pictures_slideshow/article.htm

Brady, J. V. (1958). Ulcers in" executive" monkeys. Scientific American.

Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K., Garner, W., Speicher, C., Penn, G. M., Holliday, J., & Glaser, R. (1984). Psychosocial modifiers of immunocompetence in medical students. Psychosomatic Medicine, 46(1), 7-14.