101193 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Xerostomia, Cortisol
21 Apr 2019
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Document Summary
Stress can be defined as a response of the body to any demand placed on it. Stress can be influenced by both external and internal factors. Examples of external factors include work, relationships, and finances. Internal factors such as health, hunger, and amount of sleep can affect how people deal with situations in which they might otherwise have dealt competently. Stress is a normal human experience and can be useful when dealing with demanding situations. For example, it can help us perform optimally when giving a speech or playing a sport. The body deals with acute stress by releasing chemicals that tell the body that it is in danger, and therefore activates the flight or fight response. This response is a survival mechanism that prepares the body to face danger. Changes seen during this response include increased heart rate, rapid breathing, dry mouth and sweating.
