Glossary

Abstinence: With reference to substances commonly abused (such as alcohol), abstinence refers to no use at all.

Abuse: With reference to substances commonly associated with addiction and negative health effects (such as alcohol), abuse refers to use that hurts or endangers users or those around users.

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS): A disorder caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and characterized by certain indicator diseases such as Kaposi's sarcoma, fungus diseases, and others. These indicator diseases result from the decreased immunocompetence resulting from the HIV infection.

Adaptive coping: Responses to stress that have generally positive effects and help reduce feelings of stress.

Addiction: Enslavement to a practice or substance that is physically or psychologically habit forming to the extent that cessation of the practice or substance causes intolerable withdrawal symptoms.

Adipose tissue: Body fat.

Adrenal cortex: The outside layer of the adrenal glands, the adrenal cortex secretes two families of hormones: the mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids.

Adrenal glands: Endocrine glands located on top of the kidneys. The adrenal glands are really two glands: the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla.

Adrenal medulla: The inner portion of the adrenal gland, the adrenal medulla secretes epinephrine (adrenalin) and norepinephrine (noradrenalin).

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH): A hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates the adrenal cortex to release glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids.

Aerobic exercise: Activity that significantly increases metabolic rate for prolonged periods of time (15 minutes or longer).

Aerobic fitness: Sound physical state of the body's cardiovascular and energy production systems, a benefit of aerobic exercise.

Afferent nervous system: Nerve cells that receive information from the external and internal environment and conduct this information to the brain.

Aldosterone: A mineralocorticoid secreted by the adrenal cortex. Aldosterone causes the kidneys to retain sodium and water, which increases blood volume and consequently, blood pressure.

Alpha wave: Brain-wave form (indicative of the brain's electrical activity) that is associated with a calm mental state, as recorded on an electroencephalograph.

Anal canal: The last inch of the rectum; stools exit through the anus.

Anorexia nervosa: An eating disorder characterized by suppression of appetite, self-starvation, and extreme weight loss. 

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH): A hormone secreted by the pituitary gland during the stress response. Antidiuretic hormone is also known as vasopressin. It causes water retention and contraction of peripheral arteries, thus raising blood pressure.

Arteries: Blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

Atherosclerosis: A process in which the walls of medium and large arteries become lined with plaque, composed of fat, cholesterol, and other substances.

Atherosclerotic plaque: A grayish-yellow mound of tissue that forms inside an artery in the process of atherosclerosis. The plaque is composed of cholesterol, cells of the artery lining, and other substances.

Atria: The two upper chambers of the heart (in humans) that push blood into the two lower chambers, the ventricles.

Autogenic training: A relaxation technique developed by Johannes Schultz in the 1930s. Autogenic training teaches a person to relax by imaging sensations of warmth and heaviness in the arms and legs, calm and regular heartbeat and breathing, warmth in the solar plexus, and a cool forehead. 

Automatic thoughts: The continuous stream of phrases, pictures, and images that make up a person's conscious thoughts. 

Autonomic nervous system (ANS): A branch of the efferent nervous system that sends messages from the central nervous system to nonskeletal systems such as the circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and endocrine systems.

Beta-endorphins: Chemical messengers that are similar to opioids in structure and function.

Body composition: The proportion of a person's body made up of fat, as opposed to fat-free mass.

Body Mass Index: Weight (in kilograms) divided by height squared (in meters) (kg/m²).

Brain: Organ of the central nervous system, composed of a mass of nervous tissue.

Brain stem: Oldest and deepest part of the brain, containing structures that automatically regulate essential life functions such as breathing, heart action, and digestion via the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system.

Bulimia nervosa: An eating disorder in which large volumes of food are consumed and then purged from the body by vomiting, use of laxatives, or other means.

Catecholamines: The hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine, secreted by the adrenal medulla.

Calorically dense: With reference to food, high in calories.

Carbohydrates: A compound containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms that is a common constituent of foods. Examples of carbohydrates include sugars, starches, and dietary fibers.

Cardiovascular fitness: Sound physical state of the body's cardiovascular and energy production systems, a benefit of aerobic exercise.

Catecholamines: Collective name for the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine.

CD4 lymphocytes: White blood cells that are destroyed by the human immunodeficiency virus.

Central nervous system (CNS): Brain and spinal cord.

Cerebral cortex: The outer layer of the brain that includes areas associated with thought, judgment, memory, sensation, motor control, and other emotional and intellectual processes.

Challenge: A personality characteristic of hardy individuals, as theorized by Kobasa and colleagues. Challenge refers to the ability to view demands as challenges to master rather than obstacles to be overcome.

Co-dependency: A situation in which one person feels he or she is responsible for the behavior and problems of others, especially a family member or partner.

Cognitive intervention: Techniques that change people's stress response by helping them change the way they think about stress and stressors.

Cognitive restructuring: Consciously changing one's self-talk and perceptions to alleviate stress.

Cognitive therapy: Using cognitive intervention techniques in a clinical psychotherapy setting.

Commitment: A personality characteristic of hardy individuals, as theorized by Kobasa and colleagues. Commitment refers to a deep connection to and a valuing of things such as family, friends, career, community, and so forth-as opposed to alienation from social and community ties.

Complex carbohydrates: Commonly known as starches, complex carbohydrates have larger molecules than simple carbohydrates, or sugars, and tend to be broken down and absorbed more slowly.

Compulsive overeating: An eating disorder characterized by an inability to control or stop eating and often by hinging and rituals that involve food preparation and consumption.

Control: A personality characteristic of hardy individuals, as theorized by Kobasa and colleagues. Control refers to a belief that one's actions affect the outcome of problematic situations. 

Coping: Anything you do, including changing cognition, to deal with a stressor or feelings of stress.

Controlled use: With reference to substances commonly abused (such as alcohol), controlled use refers to safe and appropriate use of a substance.

Cooldown: The period at the end of an exercise session in which exercise intensity is gradually decreased to allow the body to adjust to a resting state.

Coronary arteries: Arteries that carry blood containing oxygen and nutrients to the heart.

Coronary artery disease: Atherosclerosis occurring in the coronary arteries, compromising blood flow to the heart.

Corticosterone: A glucocorticoid hormone released by the adrenal cortex during the stress response.

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH): A hormone released by the hypothalamus that stimulates the pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).

Cortisol: A glucocorticoid hormone, also known as hydrocortisone, released by the adrenal cortex during the stress response. The most abundant glucocorticoid, cortisol is responsible for about 95 percent of glucocorticoid. activity.

Cortisone: A glucocorticoid hormone released by the adrenal cortex during the stress response.

Cross-reactivity: The theory that the physiological response to one type of stress may be reduced by training the body to recover from a different type of stress. For example, repeated exposure to exercise stress may help a person recover more quickly from emotional stress.

Cytokines: Substances produced by both the immune system and the brain that may act as or interact with central nervous system neurotransmitters.

Dental plaque: Debris that adheres to tooth surfaces, formed by bacterial action on food particles.

Diastolic blood pressure: Pressure in the arteries while the heart is "resting" between beats.

Diencephalon: An area of the brain composed of the thalamus and hypothalamus.

Differential relaxation: A state in which a person is contracting only those muscles necessary to accomplish the task at hand while keeping other muscle groups relaxed.

Direct coping: Taking action to change or eliminate a stressor. Problem solving is the most common form of direct coping. Synonymous with problem-focused coping.

Disordered eating: Refers to a continuum of problems with body image and food that run from mild, such as occasional dieting, eating binges, and some concern about being overweight, to severe, characterized by clinical eating disorders. 

Duodenum: The part of the small intestine adjacent to the stomach. The duodenum is a common site of ulcers.

Efferent nervous system: Nerves that conduct messages from the central nervous system to the rest of the body.

Electroencephalograph (EEG): An instrument that measures the electrical activity of the brain.

Emotion-focused coping: Thoughts and behaviors one can use to reduce the stress response, to feel more relaxed. Synonymous with palliative coping.

Endocrine: Refers to the endocrine system and its hormones. 

Endocrine system: The system of ductless glands that secrete hormones.

Endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF): Substance released by arteries that makes arteries expand to increase blood flow.

Epinephrine: A sympathomimetic hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla.

Esophagus: A hollow muscular tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach.

Essential hypertension: Hypertension not caused by an underlying disease-about 90 percent of all cases.

Eustress: Stress associated with positive stressors, such as travel, vacations, holidays, and parties.

Exercise: Physical activity performed for the express purpose of improving physical fitness.

Flexibility: Range of motion in a joint.

Free fatty acids (FFA): A substrate that can be used by cells to produce energy. Free fatty acids are released from triglycerides- molecules used to store fat.

Gastrointestinal (GI) tract: The digestive tract that runs continuously from the mouth to the anus and includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS): Hans Selye's theory about the health effects of chronic stress. When exposed to chronic stress, an animal exhibits three stages of adaptation. Initially, the fight-or-flight response occurs, which Selye called the alarm reaction. As exposure to the stressor continues, the animal will develop some resistance to the stressor. Selye referred to this period as the stage of resistance. The stage of resistance continues until the stressor stops or until the animal's resistance is worn down, at which time it enters the stage of exhaustion.

Gingivitis:Gum disease.

Global self-esteem: A person's general sense of self-worth.

Glucagon: A hormone released by the pancreas in response to low blood sugar.

Glucocorticoids: Hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex, including cortisol, corticosterone, and cortisone.

Health behaviors: Actions that affect one's health, including eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol use, sleep patterns, and so forth.

Hemoconcentration: A condition in which the formed elements of the blood become more concentrated due to a loss of plasma (the watery part of the blood).

High-density lipoproteins: A class of lipoproteins associated with a decreased risk of artery disease. Lipoproteins contain lipids and proteins, and transport lipids in the aqueous environment of the blood stream.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): Virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome. HIV may remain latent for many years but eventually causes a decline in immune function.

Hypertension: High resting blood pressure. 

Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar.

Hypothalamus: An area of the brain important in the control of many physiological functions. The hypothalamus controls the autonomic nervous system, regulates the pituitary gland, and secretes several hormones and other chemical factors.

Immune system: The various physiological cells and organs that help to protect a person from disease. The immune system is composed of the lymph nodes and vessels that run throughout the body and carry immune cells; the spleen, thymus gland, and bone marrow, which manufacture immune cells; and the various immune cells circulating in the blood and lymph.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs): A group of diseases, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, characterized by an inflammation of the colon.

Insomnia: Problems sleeping, such as taking a long time to fall asleep, awakening frequently during the night, or awakening too early in the morning.

Insulin: A hormone released by the pancreas in response to rising blood sugar. Insulin allows blood sugar to enter the body's cells to be stored or used for energy.

Irrational beliefs: Ideas that are not logical and are impossible to achieve but nevertheless are guiding forces in one's life; they contribute to low self-esteem and feelings of anger, anxiety, and depression. An example of an irrational belief is that one must do everything perfectly.

Large intestine: The part of the digestive tract that carries wastes from the small intestine to the anal canal.

Leukocyte: A type of white blood cell that attacks foreign invaders.

Limbic system: An area of the brain composed of the thalamus, hypothalamus, part of the cerebral cortex, and other structures. The limbic system is involved with motivation, emotion, and memory.

Lipids: Dietary fats and oils.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): A class of lipoproteins assoc ated with increased risk of artery disease. Lipoproteins con tain lipids and proteins, and transport lipids in the aqueou environment of the bloodstream.

Lower esophageal sphincter: A tight band of muscle between the esophagus and the stomach that relaxes during swallow ing but then prevents stomach contents from backing up into the esophagus.

Macrophage: A type of white blood cell that engulfs foreign particles, such as bacteria, and stimulates the production of other factors important in the immune response.

Maladaptive coping: Attempts to deal with stress that may seem to help initially but lead to more problems later.

Millimeters of mercury (mm Hg): Unit of blood pressure measurement, referring to the distance a column of mercury rises in a tube for a given pressure.

Mineralocorticoids: Hormones released by the adrenal cortex during the stress response. Mineralocorticoids help control fluid and salt balance.

Muscular endurance: The ability to sustain muscular contractions for a given period of time, usually 30 seconds or more 

Muscular strength: The amount of force muscles can exert in a short period of time, often measured by how much weight can be lifted in a given position.

Negative problem orientation: Psychological perceptions that inhibit problem-solving ability.

Nervous system: Brain, spinal cord, and the peripheral nerves that travel from the spinal cord to all parts of the body. It is the job of the nervous system to coordinate all parts of the body so that they work together.

Norepinephrine: A sympathomimetic hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla and a neurotransmitter.

Nutrient dense: A term describing foods that supply a lot of nutritive value per calorie.

Osteoporosis: A disease in which bones gradually become weaker due to the loss of bone mineral.

Overload: Condition that occurs when the body is asked to do more than it is accustomed to doing. Overload may result from increasing the distance, pace, intensity, resistance, or duration of exercise.

Overnutrition: The consumption of too many calories, especially fat and sugar, which contributes to obesity and other chronic diseases.

Overuse injuries: Injuries that usually result from improper training techniques and doing too much too soon.

Palliative coping: Thoughts and behaviors one uses to reduce the stress response, to feel more relaxed. Synonymous with emotion- focused coping.

Parasympathetic nervous system: A branch of the autonomic nervous system whose effects are associated with the relaxation response, including physiological processes that conserve and restore energy.

Perfectionism: An irrational need to do everything perfectly. 

Peripheral nerves: Nerve tissue that is not part of the central nervous system.

Peripheral nervous system: All nerve tissue that is not part of the central nervous system.

Peristalsis: Successive rhythmic contractions of the smooth muscle that forms the lining of organs such as the digestive tract.

Physical activity: Any activity that involves physical movement. 

Pituitary gland: A small endocrine gland attached to the hypothalamus.

Platelets: Blood cells that aid in clotting. Platelets are not true cells as they lack a nucleus.

Positive problem orientation: Psychological perceptions that enhance problem-solving ability.

Problem-focused coping: Taking action to change or eliminate a stressor. Problem solving is the most common form of problem-focused coping. Synonymous with direct coping.

Problem solving: Methodically looking for ways to change or eliminate a source of stress.

Progressive relaxation: A relaxation technique developed by Edmund Jacobson in the 1920s. In progressive relaxation, a person alternately contracts and relaxes muscle groups to become aware of the difference between feelings of muscle contraction and muscle relaxation.

Proteins: Food components made from amino acids. Amino acids supply energy and molecules for many other physiological uses.

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI): The study of the interrelationships of the three systems that serve as communications networks in the maintenance of health: the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems.

Psychophysiology: The study of the relationship between psychological and physiological functions.

Relaxation response: Opposite of the fight-or-flight response, the relaxation response refers to resting homeostasis and a state of mental and physical relaxation.

Resistance training: Exercise that requires exertion of force against a resistance, such as elastic bands or weights.

Reticular formation (RF): An area of the brain that scans sensory information making its way to the brain and evaluates its importance, selectively relaying information deemed relevant and short-circuiting information that seems unnecessary.

Risk factors: Variables associated with a person's probability of developing a given disorder or circumstance, such as heart disease.

Saliva: Fluid produced by the salivary glands that moistens and breaks down food in the mouth.

Selective abstraction: Focusing on certain characteristics in the environment while overlooking others.

Self-concept: One's general image of oneself in the broadest sense.

Self-talk: The continuous stream of phrases, pictures, and images that make up a person's conscious thoughts.

Simple carbohydrates: Commonly known as sugars, simple carbohydrates are relatively small carbohydrate molecules that are broken down and absorbed quickly compared to complex carbohydrates.

Sinoatrial node: A mass of cardiac cells that works as the heart's pacemaker.

Small intestine: A long tube that is part of the gastrointestinal tract and in which food is digested and absorbed. The small intestine carries food from the stomach to the large intestine. 

Smooth muscle: Type of muscle located in the walls of internal organs such as the digestive tract.

Somatic nervous system: A branch of the efferent nervous System, the somatic nervous system sends impulses from the central nervous system to skeletal muscles.

Sphygmomanometer: Blood pressure cuff used to measure blood pressure.

Spinal cord: Part of the central nervous system, the spinal cord is a mass of nervous tissue that runs from the brain stem through the spine and from which the peripheral nerves originate. The spinal cord conducts information between the brain and the rest of the body.

Stomach: A saclike organ that digests food.

Stress: Feelings of anxiety and physical tension that occur when people perceive that the demands placed on them exceed their abilities to cope.

Stress management: Intentionally intervening in one's stress cycle to change sources of stress and reduce one's stress response. 

Stressor: Anything that causes stress, real or imaginary.

Stress response: The physical and psychological response to a stressor.

Stroke: Destruction of brain tissue because of damage to the blood vessels that supply the brain. Stroke may be caused by atherosclerosis in the arteries supplying the brain or by bleeding into the brain because of a break in a blood vessel.

Sympathetic nervous system (SNS): The branch of the autonomic nervous system that is activated during the fight-or-flight response. The sympathetic nervous system speeds up those functions necessary for immediate survival and suppresses functions such as digestion that are not necessary for immediate survival and can be temporarily postponed.

Sympathomimetic: Having an effect similar to that of the sympathetic nervous system.

Systolic blood pressure: The pressure in the arteries at the moment blood is ejected from the heart as it contracts.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome: A disorder characterized by facial pain, headaches, earaches, and dizziness. The temporomandibular joint connects the upper and lower jaw.

Thalamus: An area of the brain that integrates and relays sensory information to the cerebral cortex. The thalamus helps interpret sensations of pain, temperature, and pressure and is involved in emotion and memory.

Thyroid gland: An endocrine gland located in the throat. The thyroid gland secretes thyroid hormones.

Thyroid hormones: Hormones secreted by the thyroid gland, including thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH): A hormone released by the pituitary gland that signals the thyroid gland to secrete thyroid hormones.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH): A hormone secreted by the hypothalamus that causes the pituitary gland to release thyroid- stimulating hormone.

Thyroxine (T4): A hormone secreted by the thyroid gland.

Training effect: The physical changes that occur in response to an exercise program.

Triglycerides: Fat storage molecules found in foods and fat cells.

Triiodothyronine (T3): A hormone secreted by the thyroid gland.

Tunnel vision: Focusing on certain characteristics in the environment while overlooking others.

Type A Behavior Pattern: Personality characteristics identified by cardiologists Friedman and Rosenman that are associated with increased risk of heart disease.

Values clarification: The process of defining and evaluating one's values and understanding the influence they have on one's decisions.

Vasopressin: A hormone secreted by the pituitary gland during the stress response. Vasopressin is also known as antidiuretic hormone. It causes water retention and contraction of peripheral arteries, thus raising blood pressure.

Ventricles: The two lower chambers of the heart (human) that receive blood from the atria and pump it to the lungs and the rest of the body.

Very low-calorie diet (VILCD): Diet that is very low in calories, usually less than 1,000 calories per day.

Warm-up: A period of time at the beginning of an exercise session in which movements are performed at a relatively low intensity to gradually prepare the body for more vigorous exercise.

Weight-bearing exercise: Exercise in which the bones must support weight or exert force against resistance. Walking is considered weight bearing as the bones must bear the weight of the body, as opposed to swimming in which exercise is relatively weightless.

Weight cycling: Repeated cycles of weight loss followed by weight gain.

Wellness: A philosophy/lifestyle based on the idea that the lifestyle choices one makes throughout the years have an important influence on one's mental and physical well-being. Wellness means doing what one can to maximize personal potential for optimal well-being and to construct a meaningful and rewarding life.