Stress-Response

Chronic Stress Response: Gastrointestinal Tract

• formation of gastric ulcers

  • stomach expends considerable energy in building and thickening stomach walls and secreting mucus--effects that protect the stomach walls from the ulcerative effects of gastric acids
  • prolonged exposure to stress can result in a reduction in the thickening of stomach walls and in secreting mucus (in addition to the secretion of digestive enzymes)--when stressor abates, acid secretion may damage the stomach walls before the walls can thicken and mucus levels can increase
  • also, prostaglandins aid in repairing stomach ulcers; glucocorticoids inhibit prostaglandin synthesis and this may increse the likelihood that gastric ulcers will form

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