The role of stress in illness, including reference to immunosuppression and cardiovascular disorders
Prolonged stress damages the body in two main ways. It weakens the immune system, making infection more likely, and it strains the heart and blood vessels.
Real World
Kiecolt-Glaser et al. (1984) found that medical students showed significantly reduced NK cell activity during exam periods compared to a month before, directly linking academic stress to measurable immunosuppression.
Exam Focus
For cardiovascular disorders, name a specific mechanism (e.g. raised blood pressure or atherosclerosis) rather than just stating 'heart disease' to access higher marks.
Evaluation Scaffold
A four-step framework for high-quality evaluation. Use this for 'assess', 'evaluate', and 'to what extent' questions.
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