Crossword clues for stressor
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1950, agent noun in Latin form from stress (v.).
Wiktionary
n. (context psychology biology English) An environmental condition or influence that stresses (i.e. causes stress for) an organism.
WordNet
n. any agent that causes stress to an organism
Wikipedia
A stressor is a chemical or biological agent, environmental condition, external stimulus or an event that causes stress to an organism.
An event that triggers the stress response may include:
- environmental stressors ( hypo or hyper-thermic temperatures, elevated sound levels, over-illumination, overcrowding)
- daily stress events (e.g., traffic, lost keys, quality and quantity of physical activity)
- life changes (e.g., divorce, bereavement)
- workplace stressors (e.g., high job demand vs. low job control, repeated or sustained exertions, forceful exertions, extreme postures)
- chemical stressors (e.g., tobacco, alcohol, drugs )
- social stressor (e.g., societal and family demands)
Stressors have physical, chemical and mental responses inside of the body. Physical stressors produce mechanical stresses on skin, bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves that cause tissue deformation and in extreme cases tissue failure. Chemical stresses also produce biomechanical responses associated with metabolism and tissue repair. Physical stressors may produce pain and impair work performance. Chronic pain and impairment requiring medical attention may result from extreme physical stressors or if there is not sufficient recovery time between successive exposures.
Stressors may also affect mental function and performance. One possible mechanism involves stimulation of the hypothalamus, crf (corticotropin release factor) -> pituitary gland releases "ACTH" (adrenocorticotropic hormone) -> adrenal cortex secretes various stress hormones (e.g., cortisol) ->stress hormones (30 varieties) travel in the blood stream to relevant organs, e.g., glands, heart, intestines. -> flight-or-fight response. Between this flow there is an alternate path that can be taken after the stressor is transferred to the hypothalamus, which leads to the sympathetic nervous system. After which, the adrenal medulla secretes epinephrine. Mental and social stressors may affect behavior and how individuals respond to physical and chemical stressors.
Usage examples of "stressor".
And finally, there would have been some stressor which triggered his initial homicidal rage.
The mysterious kidnapping of Paris and Seven added another stressor to the mix, and Janeway was still trying to figure out if Secretary Nashi was trustworthy.
One stressor was minor, two stressors weren't just cumulative, though, they multiplied each other.
And with Beth’s death and her own cancer, not to mention a prostate cancer scare with John, this woman has experienced precipitating stressors in her life.