Individual Systems within the Body Sample Assignment

Individual Systems within the Body

Nervous System

• Overall executive management of other systems & communicates orders to coordinate other activities
• Effects our memory, concentration, learning caused by stress response

Endocrine System

• Works in partner with nervous system to control functions
• Chronics stress can increase risk for developing diabetes

Circulatory & Cardiovascular Systems

• Transport nutrients, waste & other chemical messengers within & out of the body
• Stress can cause structure of vessels to break down and become weaker
• The vessels are now more susceptible to plaque build up (atherosclerosis) put us at risk for heart disease

Respiratory System

• Provides oxygen & nourishments to body cells
• Stress can trigger asthma attacks

Immune System

• Provides defense against invaders


Chronic stress causes our immune system to become weaker
Weaker immune system increases our risk of getting sick
Can increase cancer risk

Musculoskeletal System (including skin)

• Provides support & movement for body
• Stress can cause more joint pain, tension headaches
• Can cause skin disorder breakouts (acne, scoriosis, eczema)

Digestive System

• Processes food sources & converts them into usable energy
• Gets put on hold during stress response
• Stress related diseases include irritable bowel syndrome, peptic ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease
• Eating disorders are more prevalent for people under more stress (coping mechanism for stress)

Reproductive System

• Concerned with Sexual Function & reproduction
• Chronic stress can effect fertility (effects hypothalamus which produces reproductive hormones), premenstrual syndrome is made worse by stress, diminished sexual function in both males & females

Stress response starts from external sources

• It is triggered by our senses to the external sources (environment)
• Our senses can become desensitized over time

Stress Management is instrumental in preventing these disease

• Diseases of Arousal: Any type of illness that has a direct link to stress

Stress is related to a hormonal or inflammatory response to any of the stress-related diseases

Disease that are exacerbated by stress

• High blood pressure
• Multiple sclerosis
• Alzheimer’s disease
• AIDS
• Anorexia
• Allergies
• Fibromyalgia
• Arthritis
• Pre-mature aging
• Depression
• Obesity
• Herpes (fever blisters)

How Systems Respond to Stress

• Circulatory System (Cardiovascular &)
• Heart rate & blood pressure increase instantaneously due to stress response
• Breathing becomes more rapid; lungs take in more oxygen
• Spleen discharges red & white blood cells when stress response is initiated
• Blood flow increases anywhere from 300-400%
• Immune System
• Steroid hormones secreted will reduce activity in parts of immune system
• White blood cells are reduced
• Takes other immune molecules and repositions them to skin & lymph nodes
• Gastrointestinal
• Fluid involved in those systems are diverted from non-essential to essential locations
• Causes dryness in mouth (decreased saliva), difficulty swallowing & talking
• Esophagus can have spastic contractions which interferes with swallowing
• No hunger, stomach pains
• Increases in secretion of hydrochloric acid (acid reflux)
• Alterations in peristalsis within intestines
• Can cause diarrhea or constipation (to fast or to slow)
• Skin Response
• Move blood flow away from skin and divert it towards the heart & muscle tissue
• Reduces blood loss if you are cut
• Cool, clammy skin is side effect
• Scalp can actually tighten up and feel like hair is standing up (hair on back of neck standing up)
• Muscular System
• Muscles stay in contracted state
• Continuously stressed muscles
• Unconscious postures & movements
• Brain Response
• Short-term memory is impacted
• Wave-pattern of electrical activity is impacted
• Effects memory, concentration, focus, short-term memory