Disturbances of the Stress Response

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Disturbances of the Stress Response Disturbances of the Stress Response The Role of the HPA Axis During Alcohol Withdrawal and Abstinence Bryon Adinoff, M.D., Ali Iranmanesh, M.D., Johannes Veldhuis, M.D., and Lisa Fisher, Ph.D. Interactions among the brain, the pituitary gland, and the adrenal glands (i.e., the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal [HPA] axis) help regulate the body’s response to stress. The adrenal hormone cortisol plays a key role in stress reduction through its effects on multiple body systems. Excessive cortisol activity during both chronic alcohol administration and withdrawal may underlie some of the clinical complications of alcoholism, including increased risk of infectious diseases; bone, muscle, and reproductive system changes; altered energy metabolism; and disorders of mood and intellect. Despite excessive cortisol levels during intoxication and withdrawal, however, the HPA axis becomes less responsive to stress during abstinence, potentially resulting in an impaired capacity to cope with relapse-inducing stressors. KEY WORDS: AOD withdrawal syndrome; physiological stress; hypothalamic-pituitary axis; pituitary-adrenal axis; cortisol; AOD abstinence; chronic AODE (alcohol and other drug effects); corticotropin RH; arginine; vasopressin; adrenocorticotropic hormone; secretion; metabolic disorder; AODR (alcohol and other drug related) disorder; mood and affect disturbance; personality disorder; infection; drug therapy; literature review tress is a ubiquitous and unavoid- a wide range of critical physiological secretion occurs during both chronic able experience of daily life whether processes, the activity of cortisol must alcohol consumption and alcohol Sit arises from the external environ- be tightly controlled by the body. withdrawal. This heightened secretion ment (e.g., a job interview or traffic Cortisol secretion is regulated by rate may alter energy metabolism, accident) or from within the body (e.g., interactions among three structures: mental status, the structural integrity an infection or a panic attack). The the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, of bone and muscle tissue, and the body has powerful mechanisms to cope and the outer layer (i.e., cortex) of each body’s ability to resist infection. In with stress. Among these mechanisms adrenal gland (see figure 1). These three addition, abstinent alcoholics exhibit is a hormone called cortisol, which is structures, collectively known as the a diminished ability of the HPA axis to produced and secreted by the adrenal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) respond to stress, potentially impairing glands, located atop the kidneys (see axis, provide a regulatory network link- the body’s capacity to cope with stressors figure 1). Without cortisol a human or ing the brain with the body’s behavioral that might induce relapse to drinking. animal cannot respond appropriately to and physiological responses to stress. This article discusses the organization different types of physical or mental Alcohol consumption disrupts this and regulation of the HPA axis, disor- stress. However, because cortisol affects regulatory balance. Excessive cortisol ders associated with impaired HPA Vol. 22, No. 1, 1998 67 functioning, and the combined effects together to stimulate the release of activation (i.e., a negative feedback of long-term alcohol consumption and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). system). The hypothalamus and the HPA disturbance on health. ACTH arrives at the adrenal cortex pituitary gland are sensitive to inhibition via the bloodstream, where it stimu- by cortisol. Thus, when activation of lates the secretion of cortisol. Cortisol the stress response produces increases The HPA Axis and Stress then travels through the bloodstream, in CRH and ACTH, the resultant exerting effects on multiple organs elevation in cortisol (after a time delay) and tissues. suppresses further CRH and ACTH Organization and Regulation The HPA axis demonstrates a con- production. of the HPA Axis sistent, daily (i.e., circadian) pattern. These interactions help ensure that In humans, cortisol levels decrease the body’s stress response system does In response to stimulation from the during the late evening hours, reach- not overreact in its response to a stressor brain, the hypothalamus produces ing their lowest point during the early (Munck et al. 1984). This constant corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) morning hours. Cortisol secretion adjustment and readjustment of hor- and/or arginine vasopressin (AVP)1 begins to increase several hours prior mone levels around a target concen- (Rivier 1996). CRH and AVP are to awakening, and peak levels occur tration has been called the “allostatic then channeled directly to the pitu- in the late morning hours. In addi- load.” Humans or animals with a itary gland situated just beneath the tion, complex short-term fluctuations high allostatic load are in a state of hypothalamus (see figure 1). Within of cortisol levels occur within the day perpetual anxious anticipation. The the pituitary, these two hormones act (Gudmundsson and Carnes 1997; chronic elevation in cortisol induced Johnson and Veldhuis 1995). by a persistent or repetitive allostatic Bryon Adinoff, M.D., is the Distinguished The HPA axis incorporates a sys- load can activate the synthesis of CRH Professor of Alcohol and Drug Abuse tem of controls that dampen its own by the brain, thereby increasing levels Research and associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, and medical director of the Substance Abuse Team at the Dallas Hypothalamus Veterans Affairs Medical Center, VA North Texas Health Care System, Dallas, Texas. ALI IRANMANESH, M.D., is associate professor of endocrinology in the Department of Medicine, University Pituitary gland of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, and is chief of the Endocrine Section and director of the Endocrine Laboratory, Salem VA Medical Center, Salem, Virginia. JOHANNES VELDHUIS, M.D., is a professor of endocrinology in the Depart- Adrenal gland ment of Medicine and director of the General Clinical Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Kidney Charlottesville, Virginia. LISA FISHER, PH.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and a staff psychologist at the Dallas Veterans Affairs Medical Center, VA North Texas Health Care System, Dallas, Texas. Figure 1 Location of the components of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The hypothalamus is located in the brain, directly above the pituitary gland. The adrenal glands are located in the lower back, one atop each kidney. 1Vasopressin is a hormone with several functions in the body, including regulating water balance. 68 Alcohol Health & Research World Disturbances of the Stress Response of anxiety and fear (McEwen 1994; metabolism, high blood pressure, major Alcohol-Related Schulkin et al. 1994). alterations in mood, impaired mental Disturbances in the functioning, and disturbed sleep. HPA Axis Excess cortisol also impairs the Disorders Associated brain’s ability to metabolize energy, with Disrupted HPA Axis which can leave the brain vulnerable Alcohol Consumption Functioning to low levels of oxygen (such as and Withdrawal following a stroke or heart attack) or A disordered HPA axis response can Investigators have explored the time cause major physiological damage. low blood sugar (i.e., hypoglycemia). course and mechanisms of alcohol- When excess cortisol is produced, Long-term damage to the hippocam- induced HPA axis activation in rodents often because of an ACTH-secreting pus—a brain structure vital to learn- (see Rivier 1996; Eskay et al. 1995). tumor in the pituitary gland (i.e., ing, memory, and the regulation of Although alcohol itself does not Cushing’s syndrome), patients may HPA axis function—appears to occur appear to exert a powerful direct stim- experience symptoms related to in chronic medical and psychiatric ulatory effect on the adrenal cortex, excess levels of the normal physiologi- illnesses associated with persistently increased rates of CRH synthesis, cal activity of cortisol (see textbox). elevated levels of cortisol (Sapolsky coupled with increased secretion of ACTH and cortisol, are generally These symptoms include increased 1996). observed in animals following long- blood sugar, bone weakness, decreased Conversely, a deficiency of cortisol resistance to infection, increased fat term alcohol administration. The can lead to low blood glucose levels effects of short- and long-term alco- and a decreased ability to convert hol consumption in humans are less lipid and protein molecules to glu- clear, although most studies suggest Physiological Effects cose. Symptoms of cortisol deficiency that chronic administration of alcohol of Cortisol include low-grade fever, easy fatigabil- increases cortisol in humans. ity, weakness, weight loss, muscle Both human and animal studies Although the physiological aches, abdominal pain, vomiting, clearly demonstrate an increase in effects of cortisol are well docu- low blood pressure, and personality HPA axis activation with elevated mented, the role of these effects changes such as irritability and restless- cortisol concentrations during alcohol in stress resistance is uncertain. ness. More severe and life-threatening withdrawal (Iranmanesh et al. 1989). Cortisol is one of several steroid consequences, such as cardiovascular In alcoholics with high daily alcohol hormones produced by the outer
Recommended publications
  • Expression Pattern of Delta-Like 1 Homolog in Developing Sympathetic Neurons and Chromaffin Cells
    Published in "Gene Expression Patterns 30: 49–54, 2018" which should be cited to refer to this work. Expression pattern of delta-like 1 homolog in developing sympathetic neurons and chromaffin cells ∗ Tehani El Faitwria,b, Katrin Hubera,c, a Institute of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Albert-Str. 17, 79104, Freiburg, Germany b Department of Histology and Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Benghazi University, Benghazi, Libya c Department of Medicine, University of Fribourg, Route Albert-Gockel 1, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland ABSTRACT Keywords: Delta-like 1 homolog (DLK1) is a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like family and an atypical notch Sympathetic neurons ligand that is widely expressed during early mammalian development with putative functions in the regulation Chromaffin cells of cell differentiation and proliferation. During later stages of development, DLK1 is downregulated and becomes DLK1 increasingly restricted to specific cell types, including several types of endocrine cells. DLK1 has been linked to Adrenal gland various tumors and associated with tumor stem cell features. Sympathoadrenal precursors are neural crest de- Organ of Zuckerkandl rived cells that give rise to either sympathetic neurons of the autonomic nervous system or the endocrine Development ffi Neural crest chroma n cells located in the adrenal medulla or extraadrenal positions. As these cells are the putative cellular Phox2B origin of neuroblastoma, one of the most common malignant tumors in early childhood, their molecular char- acterization is of high clinical importance. In this study we have examined the precise spatiotemporal expression of DLK1 in developing sympathoadrenal cells. We show that DLK1 mRNA is highly expressed in early sympa- thetic neuron progenitors and that its expression depends on the presence of Phox2B.
    [Show full text]
  • Allostatic Load - a Challenge to Measure Multisystem Physiological Dysregulation
    National Centre for Research Methods Working Paper 04/12 Allostatic load - a challenge to measure multisystem physiological dysregulation Sanna Read, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Emily Grundy, University of Cambridge NCRM Working paper 04/12 Allostatic load – a challenge to measure multisystem physiological dysregulation Sanna Read and Emily Grundy London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and University of Cambridge September 2012 Abstract Allostatic load is a sub-clinical dysregulation state, resulting from the body’s response to stress. Allostatic load accumulates gradually over the life course and affects a number of physiological systems. Measuring multisystem dysregulation and changes in it over time is very challenging. In this paper, we discuss composite measures used to capture allostatic load and the challenges involved in deriving and using these measures. Our focus is on measuring allostatic load in later life. Contents 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 2 2 Allostatic load – a multisystem response to stress ............................................................. 2 3 Measures of allostatic load ................................................................................................. 4 4 Measuring processes over time in allostatic load ............................................................... 6 5 Future directions in measuring allostatic load ....................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Allostatic Load
    Not logged in Talk Contributions Create account Log in Article Talk Read Edit View history Search Wikipedia Allostatic load From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Main page This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on [hide] Contents the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages) Featured content This article needs attention from an expert in psychology. (May 2016) Current events This article needs to be updated. (May 2016) Random article Allostatic load is "the wear and tear on the body" which accumulates as an Donate to Wikipedia individual is exposed to repeated or chronic stress. The term was coined by Wikipedia store McEwen and Stellar in 1993. It represents the physiological consequences of chronic exposure to fluctuating or heightened neural or neuroendocrine Interaction response which results from repeated or prolonged chronic stress. Help About Wikipedia Contents [hide] Community portal 1 Regulatory model Recent changes 2 Types Contact page 3 Measurement 4 Relationship to allostasis and homeostasis Tools 5 Reducing risk What links here 6 See also Related changes 7 References The graph represents the effect of increased stress Upload file on the performance of the body. The lower the stress Special pages Regulatory model [ edit ] levels are in the body, the less likely the allostatic load Permanent link model will have a significant effect on the brain and The term allostatic load is "the wear and tear on the body" which accumulates Page information health. Although, an increase in stress levels results in as an individual is exposed to repeated or chronic stress.[1] It was coined by Wikidata item an increase in stress on the brain and the health of McEwen and Stellar in 1993.[2] individuals, making it more likely for the body to have Cite this page The term is part of the regulatory model of allostasis, where the predictive significant effects on homeostasis and cause In other projects regulation or stabilisation of internal sensations in response to stimuli is breakdown of the body systems.
    [Show full text]
  • I. Introduction B. Adrenal Cortex
    I. Introduction Adrenal Glands • suprarenal – they sit on top of the kidneys • each is composed of 2 distinct regions: A. Adrenal Medulla - the inner region - comprises 20% of the gland - secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine - derived from ectoderm B. Adrenal Cortex 1) Zona Glomerulosa (outermost region) - produces mineralocorticoids (aldosterone) • the outer region 2) Zona Fasiculata (middle region) - produces glucocorticoids (cortisol) as well as • comprises 80% of the gland estrogens and androgens • secretes corticosteroids 3) Zona Reticularis (innermost region) • derived from mesoderm - same function as zona fasiculata DHEA – dehydroepiandrosterone • an adrenal androgen in females • responsible for growth of pubic and axillary hair C. Pathologies Associated with Adrenal II. Mineralocorticoids (Aldosterone) Androgen Hypersecretion A. Functions 1.Adrenogenital Syndrome - promotes reabsorption of Na+ and - hypersecretion of androgens or estrogens secretion of K+ from the distal portion of the a) in the adult female: nephron..primary regulator of salt balance and extracellular volume - masculinization (i.e. hirsutism) -Similar (but less important) effect on salt b) in the female embryo: transport in colon, salivary glands, and - female pseudohermaphroditism sweat glands. c) in the adult male: - no effect d) in young boys: - precocious pseudopuberty 1 II. Mineralocorticoids (Aldosterone) C. Pathologies B. Regulation of Secretion 1. Hypersecretion 1. Renin Angiotensin a. primary hyperaldosteronism - Angiotensin II stimulates aldost. secretion - Conn’s syndrome 2. Potassium - usually due to a tumor on the gland + - high levels of K induce aldost. secretion - too much secretion of gland itself 3. ACTH –no direct role b. secondary hyperaldosteronism - default in renin angiotensin system - most common in atherosclerosis of renal arteries C. Pathologies III. Glucocorticoids (Cortisol) 1.
    [Show full text]
  • HYPOTHALAMUS – PITUITARY-ADRENAL AXIS Learning Objectives OVERVIEW FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY
    Introductory Human Physiology ©copyright Emma Jakoi HYPOTHALAMUS – PITUITARY-ADRENAL AXIS Emma R. Jakoi, Ph.D. Learning objectives • Describe the structural and functional organization of the adrenal gland. • Describe the synthesis and secretion of cortical adrenal hormones. • Describe the mechanism of action and physiologic effects of adrenal hormones. • Explain the control of adrenal hormone synthesis and secretion. Describe the major feedback loops that integrate the hypothalamic axis and body homeostasis. • Explain the physiologic roles of the adrenal hormones in normal physiology. OVERVIEW The adrenal glands maintain homeostasis in response to stress. Three major classes of hormones are secreted by these glands: aldosterone (mineralocorticoid), cortisol (glucocorticoid), DHEA (weak androgen), and catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine). FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY The adrenal gland is located on top of the kidney. Like the pituitary, two distinct tissues merge during development to form the adrenal cortex (glandular tissue) and medulla (modified neuronal tissue) (Fig 1). 1 2 cortex 3 medulla Figure 1. Structure of the adrenal gland. The cortex secretes three steroid hormones: 1. aldosterone, 2. cortisol, 3. a weak androgen, DHEA. The medulla secretes epinephrine (Epi) and norepinephrine (NorEpi). 1 Introductory Human Physiology ©copyright Emma Jakoi MINERALOCORTICOIDS The major mineralocorticoid in humans is aldosterone. Aldosterone is NOT under the hypothalamus- pituitary control and does not mediate a negative feedback to this axis. Aldosterone secretion is increased by the vasoconstrictor, angiotensin II, and by elevated plasma K+ concentration. Elevated plasma Na+ inhibits the secretion of aldosterone. Aldosterone, acts in the kidney to promote secretion of K+ into the urine from the blood and the reabsorption of Na+ from the urine into the blood.
    [Show full text]
  • Early Adversity, Socioemotional Development, and Stress in Urban 1-Year-Old Children
    Early Adversity, Socioemotional Development, and Stress in Urban 1-Year-Old Children Frederick B. Palmer, MD1,2, Kanwaljeet J. S. Anand, MBBS, DPhil1,3,4, J. Carolyn Graff, PhD2,5, Laura E. Murphy, EdD2,6, Yanhua Qu, PhD7, Eszter V€olgyi, PhD7, Cynthia R. Rovnaghi, MS1,4, Angela Moore, MPH7, Quynh T. Tran, PhD7, and Frances A. Tylavsky, DrPH7 Objective To determine demographic, maternal, and child factors associated with socioemotional (SE) problems and chronic stress in 1-year-old children. Study design This was a prospective, longitudinal, community-based study, which followed mother-infant dyads (n = 1070; representative of race, education, and income status of Memphis/Shelby County, Tennessee) from midges- tation into early childhood. Child SE development was measured using the Brief Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment in all 1097 1-year-olds. Chronic stress was assessed by hair cortisol in a subsample of 1-year-olds (n = 297). Multivariate regression models were developed to predict SE problems and hair cortisol levels. Results More black mothers than white mothers reported SE problems in their 1-year-olds (32.9% vs 10.2%; P < .001). In multivariate regression, SE problems in blacks were predicted by lower maternal education, greater parenting stress and maternal psychological distress, and higher cyclothymic personality score. In whites, predictors of SE problems were Medicaid insurance, higher maternal depression score at 1 year, greater parenting stress and maternal psycho- logical distress, higher dysthymic personality score, and male sex. SE problem scores were associated with higher hair cortisol levels (P = .01). Blacks had higher hair cortisol levels than whites (P < .001).
    [Show full text]
  • Dream Recall/Affect and the Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis
    Review Dream Recall/Affect and the Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis Athanasios Tselebis 1, Emmanouil Zoumakis 2 and Ioannis Ilias 3,* 1 Department of Psychiatry, Sotiria Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece; [email protected] 2 First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece; [email protected] 3 Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Elena Venizelou Hospital, 115 21 Athens, Greece * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +30-213-205-1389 Abstract: In this concise review, we present an overview of research on dream recall/affect and of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, discussing caveats regarding the action of hormones of the HPA axis (mainly cortisol and its free form, cortisol-binding globulin and glucocorticoid receptors). We present results of studies regarding dream recall/affect and the HPA axis under physiological (such as waking) or pathological conditions (such as in Cushing’s syndrome or stressful situations). Finally, we try to integrate the effect of the current COVID-19 situation with dream recall/affect vis-à-vis the HPA axis. Keywords: dreams; cortisol; stress; memory; sleep; HPA axis 1. Introduction—Dream Recall Almost all humans dream (indeed, there may be 0.5% of people who do not do so) [1]. Dreams are a series of images, thoughts and senses and are considered a specific type Citation: Tselebis, A.; Zoumakis, E.; of experience that occurs in our brain during sleep. During the dream, there is limited Ilias, I. Dream Recall/Affect and the control of the dream content, visual images and memory activation.
    [Show full text]
  • Allostasis, Interoception, and the Free Energy Principle
    1 Allostasis, interoception, and the free energy principle: 2 Feeling our way forward 3 Andrew W. Corcoran & Jakob Hohwy 4 Cognition & Philosophy Laboratory 5 Monash University 6 Melbourne, Australia 7 8 This material has been accepted for publication in the forthcoming volume entitled The 9 interoceptive mind: From homeostasis to awareness, edited by Manos Tsakiris and Helena De 10 Preester. It has been reprinted by permission of Oxford University Press: 11 https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-interoceptive-mind-9780198811930?q= 12 interoception&lang=en&cc=gb. For permission to reuse this material, please visit 13 http://www.oup.co.uk/academic/rights/permissions. 14 Abstract 15 Interoceptive processing is commonly understood in terms of the monitoring and representation of the body’s 16 current physiological (i.e. homeostatic) status, with aversive sensory experiences encoding some impending 17 threat to tissue viability. However, claims that homeostasis fails to fully account for the sophisticated regulatory 18 dynamics observed in complex organisms have led some theorists to incorporate predictive (i.e. allostatic) 19 regulatory mechanisms within broader accounts of interoceptive processing. Critically, these frameworks invoke 20 diverse – and potentially mutually inconsistent – interpretations of the role allostasis plays in the scheme of 21 biological regulation. This chapter argues in favour of a moderate, reconciliatory position in which homeostasis 22 and allostasis are conceived as equally vital (but functionally distinct) modes of physiological control. It 23 explores the implications of this interpretation for free energy-based accounts of interoceptive inference, 24 advocating a similarly complementary (and hierarchical) view of homeostatic and allostatic processing.
    [Show full text]
  • Pig Gonads, Adrenal Glands and Brain C
    Immunoreactive cytochrome P-45017\g=a\in rat and guinea- pig gonads, adrenal glands and brain C. Le Goascogne1, N. Sanan\l=e'\s1, M. Gou\l=e'\zou1, S. Takemori2, S. Kominami2, E. E. Baulieu1 and P. Robel1 1INSERM U33, Communications Hormonales, and Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-sud, Lab Hormones F-94275 Bicêtre Cedex France 2 Faculty of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 730, Japan Summary. The cytochrome P-45017\g=a\-hydroxylase, 17\ar=r\20lyase (P-45017\g=a\) is the key enzyme responsible for the biosynthesis of androgens in steroidogenic organs. Its cellular localization has been examined with an immunohistochemical technique. In immature rat ovary, P-45017\g=a\was first detected in sparse interstitial cells on postnatal Day 8. The number of immunoreactive interstitial cells increased thereafter and the intensity of P-45017\g=a\staining in these cells was highest at 3 weeks of age. The intensity of staining then started to decline and was very faint at Day 35. From 6 weeks on, the distribution of immunoreactive P-45017\g=a\was of the adult type: it was detected exclusively in the thecal cells of the large antral, preovulatory, follicles. P-45017\g=a\was not detectable during pregnancy except on the day of parturition, when thecal cells were transiently immunoreactive. The staining had vanished 24 h after delivery. Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), injected into immature females on Days 24 to 26, induced P-45017\g=a\prematurely in thecal cells. When injected on Days 12 to 14 of pregnancy, hCG also induced P-45017\g=a\in the thecal cells surrounding the largest follicles, whereas the interstitial and luteal cells were not immunostained.
    [Show full text]
  • Adrenal Gland Hormones
    CHAPTER 8 Adrenal Gland Hormones Devra K. Dang, PharmD, BCPS, CDE, FNAP | Trinh Pham, PharmD, BCOP | Jennifer J. Lee, PharmD, BCPS, CDE LEARNING OBJECTIVES KEY TERMS AND DEFINITIONS After completing this chapter, you should be able to ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) — a hormone produced 1. Identify the hormones produced by the adrenal glands by the pituitary gland that stimulates 2. Describe the functions of mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids in the body the adrenal cortex to produce glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, 3. Recognize the signs and symptoms of adrenal insuffi ciency and androgens. PART 4. Describe the pharmacological treatment of patients with acute and chronic adrenal Addison ’ s disease — a disorder insuffi ciency in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough steroid hormones. 3 5. Recognize the signs and symptoms of Cushing ’ s syndrome and the result of too Adenoma — a benign much cortisol (noncancerous) tumor of glandular 6. Describe the pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic management of patients with origin. Cushing ’ s syndrome Adrenal insuffi ciency — a term 7. List management strategies for administration of glucocorticoid and mineralocorti- referring to a defi ciency in the levels of adrenal hormones. coid therapy to avoid development of adrenal disorders Aldosterone — the hormone produced by the adrenal glands that regulates the balance of sodium, he adrenal glands are an integral part of the endocrine system, secreting water, and potassium concentrations in the body. T hormones that act throughout the body to regulate functions and promote Corticotropin-releasing homeostasis. In addition to the neurotransmitters epinephrine and norepineph- hormone (CRH) — a hormone rine, the corticosteroids secreted by the adrenal glands are vital to a wide released by the hypothalamus that variety of physiological processes.
    [Show full text]
  • Treating Thyroid Disease: a Natural Approach to Healing Hashimoto's
    Treating Thyroid Disease: A Natural Approach to Healing Hashimoto’s Melissa Lea-Foster Rietz, FNP-BC, BC-ADM, RYT-200 Presbyterian Medical Services Farmington, NM [email protected] Professional Disclosures I have no personal or professional affiliation with any of the resources listed in this presentation, and will receive no monetary gain or professional advancement from this lecture. Talk Objectives • Define hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s. • Discuss various tests used to identify thyroid disease and when to treat based on patient symptoms • Discuss potential causes and identify environmental factors that contribute to disease • Describe how the gut (food sensitivities) and the adrenals (chronic stress) are connected to Hashimoto’s and how we as practitioners can work to educate patients on prevention before the need for treatment • How the use of adaptogens can enhance the treatment of Hashimoto’s and identify herbs that are showing promise in the research. • How to use food, exercise, and relaxation to improve patient outcomes. Named for Hakuro Hashimoto, a physician working in Europe in the early 1900’s. Hashimoto’s was the first autoimmune disease to be recognized in the scientific literature. It is estimated that one in five people suffer from an autoimmune disease and the numbers continue to rise. Women are more likely than men to develop an autoimmune disease, and it is believed that 75% of individuals with an autoimmune disease are female. Thyroid autoimmune disease is the most common form, and affects 7-8% of the population in the United States. Case Study Ms. R is a 30-year-old female, mother of three, who states that after the birth of her last child two years ago she has felt the following: • Loss of energy • Difficulty losing weight despite habitual eating pattern • Hair loss • Irregular menses • Joints that ache throughout the day • A general sense of sadness • Cold Intolerance • Joint and Muscle Pain • Constipation • Irregular menstruation • Slowed Heart Rate What tests would you run on Ms.
    [Show full text]
  • Allostatic Load As a Predictor of Grey Matter Volume and White
    www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN Allostatic load as a predictor of grey matter volume and white matter integrity in old age: The Whitehall II Received: 30 October 2017 Accepted: 26 March 2018 MRI study Published: xx xx xxxx Enikő Zsoldos 1,2, Nicola Filippini1,2, Abda Mahmood1, Clare E. Mackay1,3, Archana Singh- Manoux 4,5, Mika Kivimäki 4, Mark Jenkinson2 & Klaus P. Ebmeier 1 The allostatic load index quantifes the cumulative multisystem physiological response to chronic everyday stress, and includes cardiovascular, metabolic and infammatory measures. Despite its central role in the stress response, research of the efect of allostatic load on the ageing brain has been limited. We investigated the relation of mid-life allostatic load index and multifactorial predictors of stroke (Framingham stroke risk) and diabetes (metabolic syndrome) with voxelwise structural grey and white matter brain integrity measures in the ageing Whitehall II cohort (N = 349, mean age = 69.6 (SD 5.2) years, N (male) = 281 (80.5%), mean follow-up before scan = 21.4 (SD 0.82) years). Higher levels of all three markers were signifcantly associated with lower grey matter density. Only higher Framingham stroke risk was signifcantly associated with lower white matter integrity (low fractional anisotropy and high mean difusivity). Our fndings provide some empirical support for the concept of allostatic load, linking the efect of everyday stress on the body with features of the ageing human brain. Between 2015–2050 the world’s population aged over 60 will have doubled to 2 billion1. Perceived everyday stress2,3 and stress-related disorders are common4.
    [Show full text]