The Physiological Stress Response: Mechanisms, Measurement and Health Implications

The physiological stress response will become increasingly important as medicine shifts to preventative methods of healthcare. Chronic stress can manifest itself as bodily dysfunction and exacerbation of existing disease. The multiple mechanisms of the stress response can be broken into two pathways including the hypothalami-pituitary-adrenal and sympathetic-medullary pathways. These two systems are integrated by means of negative feedback regulation. Examination of products within these pathways can be used in research and healthcare to understand the root of disease resulting from immunosuppression. Glucose is a key factor for understanding how the stress response can continue and eventually exceed an individual's allostatic load. Mechanistic flaws, including improper pathway regulation by substrates (e.g. glucose), have important medical implications and should be considered when attempting to minimize daily stressors and effectively reduce chronic stress.