Stress

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Stress (medicine)

Stress (pronounced /strɛs/) is a term in medicine and psychology that refers to the body's physical and psychological response to any demand or challenge.

Etymology

The term "stress" was borrowed from the field of physics by Hans Selye, a pioneering Austrian-Canadian endocrinologist. In physics, stress describes the force that produces strain on a physical body. Selye used the term to draw similarities between acute physical conditions and the physical wear and tear of the body caused by continuous strain.

Definition

In medical terms, stress is the body's method of reacting to a challenge or threat. This response is characterized by the release of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol that prepare the body for action, a state often referred to as the "fight or flight" response.

Related Terms

  • Acute Stress: A temporary, often immediate, response to a threatening situation.
  • Chronic Stress: Long-term stress that persists over extended periods of time.
  • Stressor: An event or situation that causes stress.
  • Stress Management: Techniques and therapies that help an individual cope with or reduce stress.
  • Psychological Stress: Stress related to one's mental or emotional state.
  • Physiological Stress: Stress related to physical or biological factors.
  • Oxidative Stress: An imbalance between the production of free radicals and the ability of the body to counteract or detoxify their harmful effects through neutralization by antioxidants.

See Also

External links

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