Module 7: Physical Disorders and Health Psychology Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering psychological and social factors affecting physical health, immune system mechanisms, stress responses, specific physical disorders, and psychosocial treatment techniques.

Psychosomatic medicine

An early field of study premised on the concept that psychological factors affected somatic (physical) function.

Behavioral medicine

An interdisciplinary field that applies behavioral science to prevent, diagnose, and treat medical issues through collaboration among psychologists, physicians, and other health professionals.

Health psychology

A subfield of behavioral medicine that examines psychological factors relevant to health promotion, healthcare systems, and health policy within psychology.

Stress

The physiological response to a stressor, involving brain threat-processing systems and the release of hormones like cortisol into the bloodstream.

Allostatic load

The cumulative physiological wear and tear on various bodily systems resulting from prolonged stress.

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis

A neuroendocrine system involved in the stress response alongside the sympathetic nervous system, regulated by the hippocampus and involving stress hormones like cortisol.

Sapolsky's baboon research

Studies showing that dominant male baboons exhibit more efficient stress responses due to CRF secretion and pituitary gland sensitivity, whereas subordinate males experience chronic stress, immune suppression, and elevated cardiovascular disease risk.

Sheldon Cohen's research

Research demonstrating that higher stress levels increase the likelihood and severity of cold symptoms, while sociability, optimism, and positive cognitive style protect against cold development.

Humoral branch

The branch of the immune system where B cells produce antibodies that neutralize antigens in bodily fluids.

Cellular branch

The branch of the immune system in which T cells directly destroy viruses and cancer cells while regulating immune responses.

Leukocytes

Specialized white blood cells that are involved in both the humoral and cellular branches of the immune system.

Memory B cells

Cells created after antigen neutralization that enable a faster immune response upon subsequent exposure to the same antigen.

HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy)

Powerful drug combinations that suppress the HIV virus and slow disease progression to AIDS.

Cognitive-behavioral stress management (CBSM)

A psychological intervention that has been shown to improve immune system functioning and slow HIV disease progression.

Cerebral vascular accidents (CVAs)

Also known as strokes; cardiovascular events caused by temporary blockages or ruptures of blood vessels supplying the brain, resulting in brain damage and loss of function.

Raynaud's disease

A condition affecting peripheral circulation, causing discomfort and persistent cold sensations in extremities such as fingers and toes.

Essential hypertension

High blood pressure lacking specific identifiable physical causes, accounting for approximately 90% of all hypertension cases.

WHO hypertension criteria

Blood pressure standard where values exceeding 160 over 95 are considered high, though readings of 140/90 or higher usually indicate hypertension.

Systolic blood pressure

The blood pressure measured during heart pumping, which poses a greater risk of disease when elevated.

Diastolic blood pressure

The blood pressure measured between heartbeats.

Gate control theory of pain

A biological theory proposing that nerve impulses for pain can be modulated by signals sent from the brain, influencing pain perception.

Endogenous opioids

Substances produced naturally by the body that play a crucial role in inhibiting pain.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

A condition previously known as neurasthenia, affecting up to 3% of patients in primary care clinics, characterized by persistent fatigue, aches, and pains without identifiable physical pathology.

Biofeedback

A technique demonstrated in rats by Neal Miller in the 1960s and applied to humans, using physiological monitoring equipment to make patients aware of unperceived bodily functions and train them to control those responses.

Relaxation response

A stress-reduction technique developed by Herbert Benson using methods like meditation and muscle relaxation to reduce stress hormones and promote a sense of control.