stress and chronic illness

types of stress

physiological, emotional, spiritual, psychological

positive personal characteristics affecting stress response

resilience, attitude, sense of coherence, hardiness, optimism

general adaptation syndrome (gas) stages

alarm / reaction, resistance, exhaustion

alarm / reaction (gas)

perception of stressor, fight-or-flight, decreased resistance

what is activated during alarm / reaction (gas)

hypothalamtic-pituary adrenal axis and the autonomic nervous system

resistance (gas)

adaptation, allostasis - achieving homeostasis under stress

exhaustion (gas)

energy for adaptation exhausted, physical symptoms may reappear in a final effort to survive, may result in death

cerebral cortex stress response

plans course of action / thinks of past experiences or future consequences

limbic system response to stress

emotions, feelings that help w survival / self-preservation

adrenal medulla releases what hormones

epinephrine and norepinephrine

reticular formation stress response

increases alertness and sends signals to cerebral cortex and limbic system

adrenal cortex releases which hormone

cortisol

hypothalamus stress response

connects nervous and endocrine systems, regulates SNS and PNS of ANS, releases hormones that regulate ACTH secretion

stress effects

cognitive function, behaviour, excessive activation of SNS, immunosuppression

types of coping

positive, negative, emotion-focused, problem-focused

relaxation strategies

music, massage, meditation, relaxation breathing, imagery

signs and symptoms of stress response

physical (increased bp), behavioural (irritability), cognitive (self reports forgetfulness)

nursing diagnosis examples for stress

ineffective coping, compromised family coping (related to, as evidenced by)

chronic illness characteristics

longer onset, rarely cured, goes through phases (crisis, chornic, terminal), often no direct identifiable cause

chronic illnesses in canada

cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, respiratory disease, chronic kidney failure

risk factors for chronic illnesses

tobacco use, diet, alcohol and drug use, genetics, environment

comorbidity

2+ conditions diagnosed in a patient

multimorbidity

5+ conditions diagnosed in a patient

disease

condition physiologically laid out by a physician

illness

condition stated by a patient (i’m ill)

diseases higher among canada’s indigenous peoples compared to the national average

diabetes, hepatitis c, HIV, heart disease, high blood pressure (according to lewis, 2023)

self management

daily activities / strategies to promote better health and keep an illness under control

caregiver burden

physical, mental and financial costs of caregiving over time

role of the nurse

health teaching