Stress-Response
Acute Stress Response: Nonspecific & Specific Defense Mechanisms
stress inhibits inflammation associated with injury or infection
- inflammation occurs during an infection or injury; it is a recuperative process--influx of WBCs and proteins into infected region that destroy the pathogen, remove cellular debris, and repair damage
- inflammatory response means “setting on fire”; infected or damaged region will appear red and hot, with an increase in swelling; the infected region will be painful, and if located near joints, it will also be stiff (limited movement)
- elevations in glucocorticoids inhibit inflammation
- stress-induced inhibition of inflammation is adaptive by limiting a process that is painful and could limit mobility (important for fight or flight responses)--similar to stress-induced analgesia
- this recuperative process will take place when the level of stress is reduced (e.g., stressor is gone)