Abstract :
Academic Stress is common for students who are preparing for examinations. This pressure gets converted
into anxiety that leads to nervousness which works in combination and is commonly referred to as academic
stress. In this study, the effects of examination stress on lipid profile, liver function tests and electrolytes
are measured. Plain blood samples were collected from 40 healthy medical students one week before
and one week after the theory examinations. Electrolytes, Lipid Profile, Liver function tests (LFT) were
measured. The results showed a significant increase in potassium, chloride and triglyceride values and a
significant decrease in AST and ALT during pre-examination compared to post-examinations. Decreased
insulin level during stressful conditions leads to decreased activity of Na/K ATPase pump leading to the
flux of potassium ions outside the cell. Low insulin also causes decreased reabsorption and increased
excretion of sodium ions from the distal convoluted tubules. The reason for increase in the triglyceride
values before examination is due to the decreased insulin leading to activation of hormone sensitive lipase
and more turnover of stored fat and production of excess triglyceride. But our study showed a contradictory
results of increase in AST and ALT post examination, the reason may be due to the food habits usually the
students have after the examination. Thus by taking care of the stress the students can decrease the ill
effects of stress on the health.
Keyword :
Academic stress, Lipid profile, Electrolytes, Liver function tests.