Read Ps 31:10. This verse describes how despair and other negative feelings take

Question

Read Ps 31:10. This verse describes how despair and other negative feelings take a toll on our physical well being. There are many hypothalamic disorders that result in physical maladies such as wasting away (cachexia), obesity, sleep disturbances, dehydration, as well as a wide range of emotional disorders which over time causes the body great harm. Similarly, in Eccl 8:1, Solomon describes how anxiety, anger, sorrow and frustration can harden one’s face, but enjoyment of life and attaining wisdom will reverse these conditions. Discuss how stress can causes excessive and prolonged cortisol release and the disease state that may result from this. (PLEASE DO NOT COPY WORD FROM WORD FROM A SOURCE! THANK YOU :)

Explanation / Answer

The stress causes a change in the level of various hormones such as glucocorticoids (mainly cortisol), catecholamines, growth hormone and prolactin. These changes help individuals to adapt to new conditions and circumstances.

The secretion of cortisol is regulated by three parts namely the hypothalamus (region of the brain), the pituitary gland and the adrenal gland. Therefore, it is known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Stress generates a prominent neuroendocrine response that causes the activation of the pitutiary-adrenal axis. This leads to the secretion of corticotrophin-releasing factor by the hypothalamus. Norepinephrine, serotonin, and acetylcholine released from the stress hormones generate a neurogenic response that also stimulates the production of corticotrophin-releasing factor. This will further stimulate the pituitary gland. During stress, all these hormones are increased to a higher level in plasma.
Basically, the stress and depression inhibit the action of nerve cells which are responsible for down-regulating the HPA axis activity and thereby, the adrenal cortex secretes higher levels of cortisol.

Elevated levels of cortisol can result in weight gain and fatty acids deposition in adipose tissues. This may lead to the decreased bone pressure, low immunity levels, high levels of cholesterol which can make an individual more prone to heart diseases. High levels can also cause impairment of learning and memory processes.
Cushing syndrome is a well-known disease caused due to increased levels of cortisol.

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