Download Stress Essay

Kimberly Oakeson
Biology 1010
Kathleen Staker
4/18/2011
Stress Hormones: Epinephrine and Cortisol
Stress has been a negative factor in my life for the past few years. After I heard of the
opportunity to research anything in biology, I immediately thought of stress because I thought it would
be interesting to learn what causes it and possibly some treatments. I found that it is estimated that
about 90% of doctor visits are due to stress (Scott, Chronic Stress). This is alarming but not unbelievable
because of our modern fast-paced society. The primary hormones that produce stress are epinephrine
and cortisol which are secreted from the top of the kidneys. These two stress hormones can be good,
but if they are secreted excessively, it can cause minor and major health problems.
Walter Cannon, a renowned Harvard Medical School Physiologist, discovered the “fright, fight,
or flight response” which was the first scientific explanation of how a mental state could control what
was considered an automatic physical response (Mind/Body Medicine). Today, the phrase is more
commonly known as the “fight-or-flight” response. During this response, epinephrine and cortisol are
released into the bloodstream which usually causes to heart to pump faster, blood pressure to rise, and
the blood vessels to narrow so that blood can flow to the major muscle groups. Epinephrine isn’t a
common word and was unknown to me until I realized that it is the same thing as adrenaline.
Adrenaline causes the brain to become more aware and is used in high-stress situations.
I thought it most interesting that the EpiPen, a shot used to reduce the effects of cardiac arrest,
anaphylactic reactions, and asthma, is a dose of epinephrine. In cardiac arrest, epinephrine allows
cardiac action, which increases the chance of survival. Epinephrine allows vasoconstriction, thus
increasing blood pressure, so that the victim is able to receive blood to their major organs and muscles.
It is also acts as a bronchodilator, which widens the airways of the lungs. This helps asthma patients to
relieve their wheezing and dyspnea (Epipen). Doctors may prescribe EpiPens to patients who don’t even
know they’re allergic to anything (Epipen (epinephrine) Injection). It is the best to be cautious, just in
case an anaphylactic reaction occurs.
Most people connect stress with anxiety, but there are actually different types of stress.
Eustress is fun and exciting. It is the kind of stress that is exerted when someone races a go-kart or fourwheeler. It gives you what is widely known as the adrenaline rush. Acute stress is the normal stress that
most people face in their daily lives. It’s short-term and is counteracted by the relax response. Episodic
stress is when stress becomes a way of life and people make out small situations to be more than they
should be. These types of people are quite often called “drama queens”. Chronic stress is long-term
and can cause many health problems (Scott, Chronic Stress).
Chronic stress effects are numerous and quite common in our world today. These health issues
are subject to but not limited to depression, diabetes, hair loss, heart disease, hyperthyroidism, obesity,
obsessive compulsive, anxiety disorders, tooth and gum disease, ulcers, and cancer. This is boggling to
my mind that two hormones can cause such destruction in a body. The most surprising health affect to
me is hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid over-exerts itself and produces too much
thyroid hormone (Scott, Chronic Stress). It is the primary cause of Graves disease, which has countless
effects such as restlessness, nervousness, weight loss, and tremors (Graves Disease).
There are quite a few ways to offset the effects of stress. This includes stress management,
including counseling, meditation, yoga, and deep-breathing techniques, and exercise (Scott, Stress and
Health). The most interesting prevention that I thought was exercise. I found that exercise burns off
extra adrenaline, thus loosening muscles and making the body more relaxed. It also increases the
oxygen flow in the blood, which balances the hormone level. By doing these activities, the brain
receives a relax signal, which then produces the relax response. This is when the body returns to its
normal functions and epinephrine and cortisol levels aren’t as high as before.
Everyone has experienced stress, whether it is in high doses or low doses. Chronic stress is
common because of the fast-paced society we live in. This causes more doctor visits and more diseases
and illnesses. Epinephrine and cortisol are the reason why stress is in so many lives. When there are
physical, emotional or psychological strains, these hormones increase their production. Learning about
these stress hormones was beneficial to me. I am now more knowledgeable in ways to reduce stress so
that I can lead a healthier and stress-free life.
Bibliography
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