NURS 530 Week 2 Discussion 2

NURS 530 Week 2 Discussion 2

 

1. Stress and disease: Describe the physiological effects of increased cortisol levels released during the stress response on body systems.

Persistent stress is a significant risk factor for various conditions, including diabetes, depression, and hypertension. The body initiates a series of stress response mechanisms upon exposure to any physical or physiological stimuli that can disrupt homeostasis. According to Chu et al. (2022), a stress response mechanism emanates from the interplay between the nervous, endocrine, and the immune system that leads to the subject activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the sympathetic-Adreno medullar (SAM) axis, and immune system. The subsequent activation of SAM and the HPA axis increases the secretion of various hormones, including norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E, and cortisol.

Cortisol, a glucocorticoid hormone, plays a significant role in coordinating various body functions, including inflammation suppression, regulation of blood sugar, enhancement of stress response mechanisms, and maintenance of appropriate blood pressure. Also, this hormone helps control the sleep-wake cycle (Cleveland Clinic, 2021). Although the body maintains normal cortisol levels through hemostasis, higher cortisol levels (hypercortisolism) pose a significant threat to individual health and wellness. The primary causes of hypercortisolism include persistent stress, taking large amounts of corticosteroid medications, hyperplasia, and tumors that produce adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).

Heightened cortisol levels (hypercortisolism) result in altered blood sugar regulation, blood pressure, irregular “flight or fight” stress response, and the body’s inability to suppress inflammation. According to Jones & Gwenin (2020), hypercortisolism increases susceptibility to skin changes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and mood swings. Also, this condition can lead to diabetes mellitus due to the deregulation of blood sugar and the exacerbation of diabetes-related risk factors, including weight gain and fatty deposits. Individual awareness of stress management practices, regular exercise, quality sleep, and meditation can assist individuals in regulating and maintaining appropriate cortisol levels.

References

Chu, B., Marwaha, K., Sanvictores, T., & Ayers, D. (2022). Physiology, stress reaction. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541120/#

Cleveland Clinic. (2021, December 10). Cortisol: What it is, function, symptoms & levels. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22187-cortisol

Jones, C., & Gwenin, C. (2020). Cortisol level dysregulation and its prevalence—Is it nature’s alarm clock? Physiological Reports, 8(24). https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.14644

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Week 2 Discussion Forum Prompt 2
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Select one of the following discussion prompts to address:

Describe how normal cells go through the process of transformation into cancer cells. How is this process different from DNA mutations associated with genetic disease? Review this article on genetics and identify

Links to an external site.
how the mutations differ.
Stress and Disease: Describe the physiologic effects on body systems of increased cortisol levels released during the stress response.
Review the current research evidence from credible, scholarly sources and summarize the results of the effects and health risks of electromagnetic radiation (from cellular and cordless telephones, microwaves, computers, fluorescent lights, radar, and electronic equipment).
Use at least one scholarly source other than your textbook to connect your response to national guidelines and evidence-based research in support of your ideas.