PSY 805 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Allergic Rhinitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Immunosuppression
14 Oct 2016
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Document Summary
Leading cause of death in men and women. Causes coronary atherosclerosis (type of arteriosclerosis), characterized by narrowing of blood flow through affected arteries due to formation of arterial plaque layers; leads to cells and compounds in the blood adhering to and penetrating vascular walls. Inflammatory immune response attracts platelets, lipids and leukocytes to the site to build on the plaque; this leads to narrowing and hardening of arteries (called arteriosclerosis) Acute stressors can cause spikes in blood pressure, while chronic stress can prevent elevated blood pressure from recovering to normal homeostatic levels; this can cause tears in inner arterial walls. Stress is believed to be associated with high cholesterol levels, however many studies have proved otherwise; stress management can help reduce lipid levels. Primary categories of stress related scd were personal danger of threat/injury, death of close person, and acute grief. Pathways to death include excessive epinephrine release, or sympathetic or parasympathetic overload leading to bradycardia.
