psychoneuroimmunology - ✔✔the study of how psychological, neural, and endocrine
processes together affect the immune system and resulting health
immunocompetence - ✔✔the degree to which the immune system functions effectively
immunocompromise - ✔✔degree to which the immune system functions sub-optimally
because of either reduced numbers of cells or reduced functioning
immunodeficiency - ✔✔when your immune system is underachieve, you have a compromised
immune system
autoimmune disorders - ✔✔when your body's immune system targets itself, attacking its own
cells and tissues
factors contributing to the stress and disease risk link - ✔✔- the level and type of stress
- the stress-response being turned on (ex. secretion of glucocorticoids)
- duration and magnitude of the stress response (is it big enough to suppress immune
function?)
stressful events that are harmful - ✔✔- experiences involving one's sense of
competence/status/identity
- interpersonal problems
- threat/loss of social status (broken relationships, social rejection, exclusion)
- unemployment/underemploymen (adverse implications for role identity, social status, and
financial security)
,health risks associated with interpersonal problems - ✔✔- depression
- upper respiratory infection
- hypertension
- heart disease
- physical disability
- premature mortality
negative impacts of social isolation - ✔✔- people with fewer social relationships are 2.5x more
likely to die compared to those with more connections
- socially isolated people lack someone to remind them to take meds
- make lead them to make unhealthy choices with diet, behavior (drinking/smoking)
- increased chance of getting a common cold
innate immunity - ✔✔Immunity that is present before exposure and effective from birth.
Responds to a broad range of pathogens
- basic level of protection .
psoriasis - ✔✔- chronic skin condition producing red lesions covered with silvery scales
- skin cells grow too quickly due to the release of cytokines from the immune system
- stress may worsen/trigger episodes due to increased cortisol
cancer - ✔✔- any malignant growth or tumor caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell
division (malfunctioning of DNA leading to excessive cell growth)
- cancer cells sap body resources
- 5 year survival rate for Canadians with invasive cancers
- cancer can be prevented 50-60% by lifestyle modifications
,psychosocial factors of cancer - ✔✔- positive association between depression and cancer (20%
of ppl with cancer are depressed)
- psychologica distress linked to colorectal cancer
- stress can cause cancer and result from cancer (ex. divorce, infidelity, marital issues, and
financial stress are connected to an increased risk for cervical cancer)
adjusting to cancer - ✔✔- coping with physical limitations --> stem from the pain and
discomfort
- fatigue and compromised nutrition
- treatment-related problems (removal of organs in surgical treatment)
- side effects of chemotherapy
- psychological issues
- issues with social support and relationships
cognitive behavioral interventions for cancer diagnosis - ✔✔- mindfulness based stress
reduction
- relaxation techniques
- exercise
- social support
psychotherapeutic interventions for cancer diagnosis - ✔✔- individual therapy
- family therapy
- support groups
- self help groups
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) - ✔✔the virus that causes AIDS
- attacks T cells and macrophages of the immune system
, - transmitted via bodily fluids (semen, blood, etc.), needle sharing, sex, etc.
3 stages of HIV - ✔✔1. acute HIV infection
2. chronic HIV infection
3. AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome ) --> most severe stage; immune system is
damaged and cannot fight off opportunistic infections
highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) - ✔✔a strategy for treating HIV-infected people
with a combination of antiretroviral drugs
- can slow or prevent HIV from advancing from one stage to the next
- can also reduce a person's viral load to an undetectable level (no risk of transmission)
AIDs disclosure - ✔✔- some people will not disclose their diagnosis or lie about it
- criminal law does not require HIV disclosure in every case
- criminal law requires disclosure before sexual activity that poses a 'realistic possibility of
transmission'
AIDs interventions - ✔✔- education: educating the target population in a culturally sensitive
way
- health belief model --> explain that HIV is a risk and promote safe sex
- target drug use to reduce needle sharing
- warn the risk of unprotected sex
- provide coping resources for those who are positive
health belief model - ✔✔A theory of health behaviors; the model predicts that whether a
person practices a particular health habit can be understood by knowing the degree to which
the person perceives a personal health threat and the perception that a particular health
practice will be effective in reducing that threat