Impact of HPA-Axis Dysfunction on the Thyroid Mood and Health

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18 Jul 2021

Want to chat with me Join me at a https 3A 2F 2Fmembers docsnipes com 2F a For 10 month you get access to my daily tips for health and wellness and you can text chat with me privately thyroid hpa integrative depression Biopsychosocial Aspects of HPA-Axis Dysfunction Objectives - Define and explain the HPA-Axis - Identify the impact of trauma on the HPA Axis - Identify the impact of chronic stress cumulative trauma on the HPA-Axis - Identify symptoms of HPA-Axis dysfunction - Identify interventions useful for this population Based on - Post-traumatic stress disorder the neurobiological impact of psychological trauma Dialogues Clin Neurosci 2011 Sep 13 3 263 278 a https 3A 2F 2Fwww ncbi nlm nih gov 2Fpmc 2Farticles 2FPMC3182008 2F a - Lifestyle Factors Contributing to HPA-Axis Activation and Chronic Illness in Americans Archives of Neurology and Neuroscience 2019 Oct 5 2 ANN MS ID 000608 DOI 10 33552 ANN 2019 05 000608 a https 3A 2F 2Firispublishers com 2Fann 2Fpdf 2FANN MS ID 000608 pdf a What is the HPA Axis - Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis - Controls reactions to stress and regulates digestion the immune system mood and emotions sexuality and energy storage and expenditure - The signs and symptoms of HPA-Axis dysfunction reflect a persistent abnormal adaptation of neurobiological systems to trauma or chronic stress - In addition to trauma multiple lifestyle factors have been associated with HPA-Axis dysregulation including - Noise - Stimulant use caffeine nicotine ADHD medications - Insufficient quality sleep - Media exposure Consequences of HPA-Axis Dysfunction - More than 50 of Americans suffer from one or more chronic conditions associated with disturbances of the HPA-Axis with an estimated cost of 3 3 trillion annually including - Major depressive disorder 20 - Generalized anxiety disorder 18 1 - Sex hormone imbalances 25 - Diabetes 9 2 - Autoimmune disorders 23 - Chronic pain - Metabolic syndrome 30 - Cardiovascular disease 44 - Hypothyroid 4 6 - IBS symptoms such as constipation and diarrhea - Reduced tolerance to physical and mental stresses including pain Overview of Healthy HPA-Axis Function - When exposed to a physical environmental or social stressor the HPA-Axis is activated and prompts the fight or flight reaction - Glutamate and Norepinephrine are released - The hypothalamus releases corticotropin releasing factor CRF and arginine vasopressin AVP to stimulate the anterior pituitary to produce and secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone ACTH - ACTH causes glucocorticoid cortisol synthesis and release from the adrenal glands Overview of Healthy HPA-Axis Function - Cortisol s primary function is to - Increase blood glucose and modify fat and protein metabolism to fuel the fight or flight reaction - Modulate immune and brain function to effectively manage stressors - Cortisol initially causes a potent anti-inflammatory response which allows the organism to react to the stressor without being pain or fatigue - Glucocorticoids interfere with the retrieval of traumatic memories - As cues of the threat wane the body increases inflammation by releasing proinflammatory cytokines to accelerate wound healing Stress Response - The response of an individual to stress depends not only on stressor characteristics but also on factors specific to the individual - Perception of stressor - Proximity to safe zones - Similarity to victim - Degree of helplessness - Prior traumatic experiences - Amount of stress in the preceding months - Current mental health or addiction issues - Availability of social support - Compared to positive events negative events or stress causes greater awareness and recall of event details leading to stronger encoding of negative or stressful events