Hans Selye eloquently explained the physiology and psychobiology model of stress as a general adaptation syndrome.
Hans Selye, M.D., Ph.D. (1907 – 1982), the “Father of Stress,” was a Hungarian endocrinologist and the first to propose an explanation of biological “stress.” He borrowed the term from physics to describe the body's physiological response to perceived events environment.
“Every stress leaves an indelible scar, the body pays for survival after a stressful situation by becoming a little older.” - G. Selye.
An event that threatens health, a stressor, leads to a three-stage response of the body.
In his research, Selye observed that the body adapts to external stressors in a biological pattern that is actually predictable. Therefore, internal balance or homeostasis will be restored and maintained.
To do this, it resorts to the release of hormones, which allows it to deal with stress as effectively as possible. This body's struggle against stress is the main theme of the general adaptation syndrome.
Another point that Selye discovered is that even if the body wants to control or reduce stress, it has its limits. The limited supply of energy to adapt to a stressful environment is further compromised when the body is constantly exposed.
Stages
The general adaptation syndrome is a model that consists of three elements or stages. They describe the body's response to stress:
1 Alarm
At this stage, the body's initial response to stress is to label the stressor as a threat or danger. Therefore, it immediately activates its fight or response system and releases “stress” hormones such as adrenaline, norepinephrine, cortisol. These hormones allow you to perform actions that would not normally be performed.
For example, when a house is on fire, the body goes into an alarm stage and stress hormones are released (especially adrenaline). But there's a problem - blood pressure starts to rise in a minute or less. This predisposes you to damage the blood vessels in the brain and heart, putting you at risk of stroke or heart attack. The muscles that have been used become sore due to tissue damage.
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When a stressor is perceived, the body reacts with a “fight or flight” response. Sympathetic is stimulated nervous system, as the body's resources are mobilized to respond to a threat or danger.
2 Resistance
Once the body has responded to stress, it is more likely that stress levels have been eradicated or simply reduced. What happens next to a fight or reaction is that the body's defenses become weaker. Since it must release energy to restore damaged muscle tissue and reduce the production of stress hormones.
Even though the body has moved into the second stage of the stress response, it remains alert, especially when stressors persist and the body needs to continually fight them, although not as much as it did during the initial response.
The body resists and compensates. The parasympathetic nervous system attempts to return many physiological functions to normal levels. During this time, the body focuses resources on the stressor and remains alert.
3 Exhaustion
At this stage, stress persists for a longer period. The body begins to lose the ability to fight stressors, reduces them harmful effects, because the adaptive energy is completely depleted. The exhaustion stage can be said to be the gateway to burnout or voltage overload, which leads to health problems if not addressed immediately.
In other words, if negative factors remain beyond the body's capacity, resources are depleted and the body becomes susceptible to disease and death.
Development
The traditional definition of stress, simply focusing on a physical event or mental state that requires the body to respond, does not fully describe it. We live in a society where there are stressful influences coming from all directions. These stressors are numerous and mixed.
People choose to respond to their perception of stress. Increased consumption of alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, sugar, energy drinks in response to everyday problems creates an even more stressful situation for the body.
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Whether stress is perceived as good or bad, passive or active, the reaction of the organs is aimed at preserving life. This is a survival mechanism.
Human stress response
The human body's response includes many components.
- First, the brain initiates an immediate response that signals the adrenal glands to release adrenaline and norepinephrine.
- The hypothalamus and pituitary gland then activate another part of the adrenal gland, releasing cortisol.
- This is followed by the nervous system initiating behavioral responses. For example, alertness, concentration, reduction of pain receptors, suppression of reproductive behavior and desires.
- Afterwards, the sympathetic nervous system is activated to increase heart rate and blood pressure.
It releases fuel to help fight or escape from danger as it redirects blood flow to the heart, muscles, brain, away from the gastrointestinal tract and digestive processes.
To meet these demands, there has been a significant increase in energy production, nutrient and fluid utilization in the body.
Once the stressful situation passes, the brain signals that the responses are “turned off.” Recovery - relaxation allows the body to restore balance in all systems, replaces lost ones nutrients, eliminates waste accumulated in the process.
Non-response stage
A key element in this stress response that is missing from the current stress paradigm is recovery.
Despite the fact that there is usually a certain time to recover from life-threatening events.
For example, chasing a polar bear, for recurring events such as backup traffic, relationship troubles, financial difficulties, work stress, negative self-image and image, artificial lighting, malnutrition, inadequate sleep, genetically modified foods, toxin accumulation and so on.
Adaptation syndrome (Late Latin adaptatio - adaptation) is a set of certain types of nonspecific changes that can occur in the body of both animals and humans as a result of any irritation of a pathogenic nature. Selye invented this term (in 1936).
The scientist Selye argued that a. The syndrome is a reaction to stress that appears when an adverse effect occurs on the body as a whole.
Types of adaptation syndrome
According to Selye, there are three types of syndrome: general, adaptation and generalized. The most severe manifestations of the types described above are a state of shock or local adaptation syndrome, which soon begins to develop in the form of inflammation.
The general syndrome, or scientifically, generalized, has a similar name because it is a reaction of the body as a whole. It is its development that contributes to further recovery.
With the development of the general syndrome, one can observe how the stages gradually develop and move from one level to another. Initially, this process leads to the creation of a threat of disruption of homeostasis, as well as mobilization protective forces the whole body. It is this change that is responsible for the anxious state that causes mobilization.
After the first phase comes the second - the restoration of imbalances, as well as the transition to resistance (the body gains resistance). But there are cases when the body fails to completely overcome the effects of irritants, which leads to another stage - exhaustion. It is worth remembering that the body can die both in the stage of anxiety and in the stage of exhaustion.
Stages of adaptation syndrome:
- I - stage of anxiety (phase of mobilization);
- II - stage of resistance;
- III - stage of exhaustion.
Indicators
One of the indicators that will help recognize the stage of A. syndrome is the factor of disruption and change in the overall metabolic balance. That is, a change in weight will tell you about a person’s condition: the stage of anxiety or exhaustion is a manifestation of catabolism (dissimilation), resistance - anabolism (assimilation). But most significant changes you will notice in weight with general A. syndrome. So the syndrome can develop and lead to the following diseases: hypertrophy of the adrenal cortex, atrophy of the thymic-lymphatic system and bleeding and duodenum.
Causes of general adaptation syndrome
The causes of the general stage of the syndrome include numerous factors. They may also depend on the hormonal activity of the body and the anterior pituitary gland (it secretes adrenocorticotropic hormone - ACTH and stimulates the activity of the adrenal cortex). The important fact is that the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland can react, as well as the adrenal cortex, can be almost instantaneous from minutes to seconds.
During the experiments, it was indicated that the insufficiency of the cortex and the poor state of its functioning causes A. syndrome, while leading to a decrease in the resistance of the organism as a whole.
Treatment and eradication of the causes of the disease
Selye believed that by introducing steroid hormones into the body, the body and resistance could be restored. That is why they were called adaptation hormones. The group of hormones of this type includes ACTH, STH, adrenaline and norepinephrine, since their action has a direct connection with the adrenal glands and their adaptation. But you should be careful, since some hormones may not only not cure the disease, but, on the contrary, lead to an increase in the body’s resistance (to toxic substances, enhancing the effect of liver enzyme systems). Therefore, the state in which the body is in a nonspecific stage of resistance can only be determined by the direct actions of hormones (on pathogenic factors). The doctor must monitor how hormones affect the body as a whole, inflammation, the permeability of blood vessels, the activity of enzymes and the circulatory system, etc.
Selye, who spent a long time studying this issue, believed that the body, along with its protective functions, cannot always cope with the problems that arise and the recovery processes are not always optimal. Selye argued that in many cases illnesses similar to adaptation syndrome may occur. The scientist assured that the main reason for its occurrence is the incorrect combination of hormones in the body (their ratio). So, if there are more hormones than expected, then they can only aggravate the situation by starting to encourage an inflammatory reaction in places such as pituitary growth hormone and adrenal cortex mineralocorticoids. But as you know, hormones are different. So the lack of anti-inflammatory hormones, such as ACTH of the pituitary gland and glucocorticoids of the adrenal cortex affect the process. And the last, third factor influencing a. syndrome, its manifestations and development is the body’s predisposition to the development of pathological processes.
General adaptation syndrome and its hypothesis
G. Selye found that a number of diseases depend on stress. So, at the very beginning of the disease, a person experiences a feeling of some discomfort. Then the situation begins to gain momentum and mild discomfort is replaced by weakness, and even later irritability. For example, in children it may be tearfulness or a rise in temperature. These signs cannot tell us anything specific, but only make it clear that some kind of disease is trying to overcome the body. Well, and, of course, in this case the body makes attempts to fight the infection and the adaptation syndrome comes into play. But the diagnosis can only be understood when other syndromes are added to the ones described above and reveal the specifics of the entire disease.
The development of general adaptation syndrome consists of phases:
- anxiety reaction,
- resistance phase
- exhaustion phase.
Protection Mechanisms
You can avoid stress naturally. You should not immediately run to the pharmacy for pills, as this is a last resort. On the contrary, you can fight with your emotions, but they must be positive and preferably not have strong fluctuations. That is, when your mood changes, you should not deplete the body too much.
There is a concept of psychological protection. This is the mechanism that can protect you from a large number of diseases. Psychological defense is a system of regulation of the human psyche, which is aimed at relieving or reducing anxiety associated with the feeling of a conflict situation. The main function of psychological protection is conscious protection from the sphere of negative emotions, experiences and all kinds of factors traumatic to the psyche.
Psychological defense mechanisms are reactions that are carried out unconsciously. That is, you do not always need to consciously avoid stressful situations; in most cases, the body does this on its own. And he does this with the help of the following factors: regression (childish behavior), repression (“censorship”), replacement, isolation, projection (attributing one’s emotions to another person), identification, sublimation, rationalization (pseudo-reasonable explanation), denial, inclusion (lowering significance of the injury), reactive formation (protection from forbidden impulses).
ADAPTATION SYNDROME(Late Latin adaptatio - adaptation) - a set of nonspecific changes that occur in the body of an animal or a person under the influence of any pathogenic stimulus. The term was proposed by Selye (q.v.) in 1936.
According to Selye, adaptation is a clinical manifestation of a stress reaction (see Stress), which always occurs under any unfavorable conditions for the body.
Selye distinguishes between a general, or generalized, adaptation syndrome, the most severe manifestation of which is shock, and a local adaptation syndrome, which develops in the form of inflammation. The syndrome is called general (generalized) because it occurs as a reaction of the whole organism, and adaptive, since its development contributes to recovery.
Rice. Changes in body weight of growing rats at various stages of the general adaptation syndrome with dosed electrical stimulation: I - anxiety stage (mobilization phase); II - stage of resistance; III - stage of exhaustion.
In the development of the general adaptation syndrome, successively developing stages are noted. Initially, when there is a threat of disruption of homeostasis and the body’s defenses are mobilized, a stage of anxiety arises (anxiety is a call for mobilization). In the second phase of this stage, the disturbed balance is restored and the transition to the stage of resistance occurs, when the body becomes more resistant not only to the action of a given stimulus, but also to other pathogenic factors (cross-resistance). In cases where the body completely overcomes the ongoing effect of the pathogenic stimulus, the stage of exhaustion develops. The death of the body can occur in the stage of anxiety or exhaustion.
One of the indicators that determine the stages of adaptation syndrome can be a change in the overall balance of metabolism. In the stage of anxiety and exhaustion, the phenomena of catabolism (dissimilation) predominate, and in the stage of resistance - anabolism (assimilation). In constantly growing animals (rats), the stages of general adaptation syndrome, directed by daily dosed electrical stimulation, can easily be identified by changes in weight (Fig.).
The most significant changes in the body during general adaptation syndrome: hypertrophy of the adrenal cortex, atrophy of the thymic-lymphatic system and bleeding ulcers of the stomach and duodenum. These changes were known in the literature even before Selye’s work. Hypertrophy of the adrenal cortex and an increase in its activity under the influence of various factors were studied by A. A. Bogomolets (1909). The appearance of hemorrhages in the stomach and intestines as a standard form of dystrophy was described by A. D. Speransky (1935). Selye sought to find the causes of the general adaptation syndrome and determine its biological essence. He successfully solved part of this very difficult task. It has been established that many of the changes that occur during the general adaptation syndrome depend on increased hormonal activity of the anterior pituitary gland, which, by releasing adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), stimulates the secretory activity of the adrenal cortex. Many researchers have shown that the reaction of the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and the adrenal cortex occurs very quickly (minutes and even seconds) and that in turn it depends on the hypothalamus, which produces a special substance - releasing factor (see Hypothalamic neurohormones), which stimulates the secretion of the anterior lobes of the pituitary gland. Thus, with the general adaptation syndrome, the hypothalamic anterior pituitary gland - adrenal cortex system reacts. The triggering mechanisms of this system include the release of adrenaline and norepinephrine, the importance of which, regardless of Selye’s work, was shown by Cannon (W. Cannon, 1932), as well as L.A. Orbeli (1926-1935) in the doctrine of the adaptive-trophic role of the sympathetic nervous system.
It has been firmly established in experiments and in the clinic that with functional insufficiency of the adrenal cortex, the body's resistance sharply decreases. By introducing steroid hormones (glucocorticoids), the body's resistance can be restored, which is why Selye considers them adaptive hormones. He includes ACTH, STH, adrenaline and norepinephrine in this group, since their action is associated with the adrenal glands and adaptation. However, Selye's works show that some hormones and drugs (ethylesternol, tyrosine, etc.) can increase the body's resistance to toxic substances, enhancing the action of liver enzyme systems. In this regard, one should not assume that the state of nonspecific resistance of the body is determined only by the direct effect of the hormones themselves on the pathogenic factor. The state of nonspecific resistance depends on a number of processes. This includes the influence of hormones on inflammation, vascular permeability, enzyme activity, the blood system, etc.
There is also a lot of uncertainty in explaining the mechanism of occurrence of various symptoms of the general adaptation syndrome. At first it was believed that atrophy of the thymic-lymphatic system occurs as a result of the disintegration of lymphoid cells under the influence of an increase in glucocorticoids in the blood, which always occurs in the initial phase of the development of the general adaptation syndrome, but it was found that the disintegration of lymphoid cells is not so great and that the main factor in tissue devastation is the migration of lymphoid cells.
The formation of stomach and duodenal ulcers cannot be directly dependent on the secretory activity of the adrenal cortex. The occurrence of ulcers is largely associated with the influence of the autonomic nervous system on the acidity and enzymatic activity of gastric juice, mucus secretion, muscle wall tone and changes in microcirculation. In order to clarify the ulcerogenic mechanisms, the significance of degranulation of mast cells, an increase in histamine (see) and serotonin (see) and the influence of microflora were studied. However, the question of which factor is decisive in the development of ulcers and what role corticosteroids play in these processes has not yet been resolved. It cannot be assumed that the formation of ulcers is an adaptive process. Neither the developmental mechanisms nor the biological significance of this phenomenon are disclosed in the concept of general adaptation syndrome. However, the use of corticosteroids in large, non-physiological doses can cause the development of stomach and duodenal ulcers.
Selye rightly believes that the body’s defense reactions are not always optimal, therefore, in many cases, in his opinion, so-called adaptation diseases can occur. The main reason for their development, according to Selye, is either an incorrect ratio of hormones, in which hormones that enhance the inflammatory response (GH of the pituitary gland and mineralocorticoids of the adrenal cortex) predominate, while anti-inflammatory hormones (ACTH of the pituitary gland and glucocorticoids of the adrenal cortex) are insufficient, or special reactivity the body, caused by unfavorable previous influences (nephrectomy, excessive salt load, use of corticosteroids, etc.), which creates a predisposition (diathesis) to the development of pathological processes. Under experimental conditions, it was possible to reproduce a number of diseases such as collagenosis, arthritis, periarteritis nodosa, nephrosclerosis, hypertension, myocardial necrosis, scleroderma, muscle tissue metaplasia and others. However, there is so far no reason to believe that the reasons for the occurrence of certain processes in the experiment are identical to the reasons for their appearance in the human body.
Thus, in the clinic, during these pathological processes, no increase in the amount of pro-inflammatory corticoids (DOCA, aldosterone, growth hormone) was found, which should have been expected according to Selye’s concept. In many chronic human diseases, changes characteristic of adaptation diseases do not occur. Critical analysis Some experiments by Selye suggest that sometimes the pathology that occurs is a consequence of allergic manifestations rather than hormonal disorders [Cope]. And if inadequate hormonal reactions occur, then they should be considered rather as a manifestation of the pathology of the corresponding glands, rather than as a disease of adaptation.
In studies of local adaptation syndrome, Selye showed that depending on changes in the hormonal activity of the pituitary gland and adrenal cortex, the barrier role of inflammation can change significantly.
Selye considers the general adaptation syndrome to be a mandatory manifestation of “just a disease.” Therefore, the same type of general adaptation syndrome is a common component in a wide variety of diseases, related to the specific action of the pathogenic factor. On this basis, Selye has been promoting the idea of building a unified theory of medicine for many years, and this undoubtedly arouses great interest. However, not all of Selye's theoretical generalizations are universally accepted. In any nonspecific reaction there are always characteristic features, caused by the action of this particular stimulus, therefore the reactions are not unambiguous, and the development of the adaptation syndrome itself is not caused by a single mechanism of hormonal influences (for example, gastric and duodenal ulcers). The similarity of external manifestations of the general adaptation syndrome in various diseases does not serve as proof of the commonality of etiological causes, therefore Selye’s idea of pluricausalism as the basis for the development of all diseases cannot be unconditionally accepted.
Bibliography: Horizontov P. D. The role of the pituitary gland - adrenal cortex system in the pathogenesis of extreme conditions. Vestn. Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, 7, p. 23, 1969, bibliogr.; Horizontov P. D. iProta-s about in and T. N. The role of ACTH and corticosteroids in pathology (On the problem of stress), M., 1968, bibliogr.; Selye G. Essays on the adaptation syndrome, trans. from English. M., 1960; aka, At the level of the whole organism, trans. from English. M., 1972; Soret S. L. Adrenal steroids and disease, L.. 1965, bibliogr.
P. D. Horizons.
General adaptation syndrome
1. Alarm phase: When a stressful situation is first perceived, the body goes into a state of shock where the temperature and blood pressure drop significantly. At the end of this phase, the body initiates an activation reaction.
2. Reaction phase: The body's physiological systems attempt to restore normal activity. Body temperature and blood pressure return to normal.
3. Exhaustion phase. If the stress varies in intensity or duration, the body experiences too much stress and phase 1 symptoms reappear. The body is no longer able to cope with them, resulting in a physical disorder (such as a stomach ulcer).
Psychology. A-Z. Dictionary reference / Transl. from English K. S. Tkachenko. - M.: FAIR PRESS. Mike Cordwell. 2000.
See what “General Adaptation Syndrome” is in other dictionaries:
General adaptation syndrome- – an individual’s reaction to severe stress. See adaptation syndrome. * * * – term by G. Selye, refers to the discovered and studied by him and his scientific school three-stage characterization of the body’s biological response to severe stress (as physical... Encyclopedic Dictionary of Psychology and Pedagogy
GENERAL ADAPTATION SYNDROME- A term referring to physiologist Hans Selye's theory of a three-stage characteristic of the body's biological responses to severe stress. The first stage, the alarm reaction, is characterized by two substages, the shock phase and the countercurrent phase. During… …
General adaptation syndrome- Hans Selye proposed that all people exhibit the same nonspecific physiology. reaction to stress. He called the whole set of these reactions O. a. With. According to Selye, the general reactions of the body are similar, no matter what is called stress, although... ... Psychological Encyclopedia
General adaptation syndrome OSA(med)-- a set of adaptive reactions of the body to adverse effects (stressors) of significant strength and duration. This term was proposed in 1936 by G. Selye. There are three stages in the development of OSA: stage I anxiety; Stage II... ... Dictionary-reference book on philosophy for students of medical, pediatric and dental faculties
ADAPTATION SYNDROME- (general adaptation syndrome) a set of protective reactions of the human or animal body (mainly the endocrine system) under stress. In the adaptation syndrome, there are stages of anxiety (mobilization of protective forces), resistance... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary
ADAPTATION SYNDROME- general adaptation syndrome, a set of changes that occur in the body under stress. In humans and higher animals, there are three phases of anxiety: anxiety, resistance, and exhaustion. For the alarm phase of the body’s primary response to action... ... Biological encyclopedic dictionary
Adaptation syndrome- general adaptation syndrome, a set of general protective reactions that occur in the body of animals and humans under the influence of external and internal stimuli of significant strength and duration; These reactions contribute... Great Soviet Encyclopedia- See general adaptation syndrome... Explanatory dictionary of psychology
Adaptation syndrome is a complex symptom complex that occurs under the influence of irritating factors on the human body that cause harm to health. Simply put, this is a special reaction to stress. Pathology is based on the efforts of the body, which adapts to changing conditions. external environment. The term “adaptation” first appeared in 1936. Translated from Latin, adaptatio means “adaptation.”
Selye's theory tells about the origin of adaptation syndrome. This scientist described the process of activation of defense mechanisms in response to the influence of exogenous factors. A student at the University of Prague in 1926 observed people with various diseases internal organs, which were manifested by lack of appetite, myasthenia, hypertension, apathy, weakness, weakness. All patients had similar changes in the structure of the adrenal glands, lymph nodes, and stomach. A decade later, G. Selye proved that in response to stress, nonspecific physiological reactions develop in the body, with the help of which it adapts to changing environmental conditions.
First, the body activates reflexes– vasomotor, secretory, protective, trophic. Gradually they join humoral factors- release of biologically active substances into the blood: adrenaline, histamine. They include mechanisms that ensure adaptation of the body - the reticular formation of the brain and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system. The hypothalamus produces releasing hormones, the concentration of which determines the work of the pituitary gland and peripheral endocrine glands. Pituitary cells release corticotropin into the blood, which stimulates the secretion of glucocorticosteroids. Other neurohumoral mechanisms and the central nervous system as a whole are simultaneously involved in the process.
Nature has built into the human body all possible adaptation mechanisms. Man is considered a living being with the highest rate of survival. Its resources and supply of vital energy are simply amazing. Symptoms of most diseases appear and begin to bother you only when the area of the affected tissue reaches 70%. Before this, the patient feels only temporary ailments and easily comes to terms with them. Such neglect of one's own health often ends in failure.
Stages
Stages or stages of general adaptation syndrome:
- Anxiety associated with an imbalance of homeostatic mechanisms and activation of the body’s physical resources. The structures of the endocrine system, especially the corticotropic, thyroid-tropic and somatotropic mechanisms, initially respond to stress. This stage lasts a maximum of two days. The concentration of glucocorticoid hormones and adrenaline increases in the blood. The human body is forced to adapt to such changes. First, the functioning of the main systems of the body is disrupted, which is manifested by oxygen starvation of tissues, hypotension, hyperthermia, and hypoglycemia. Lymphocytes quickly leave the thymus, spleen and lymph nodes, which leads to their devastation. Eosinopenia occurs in the blood, and erosions and ulcers appear in the stomach. The state of shock is replaced by restoration of the functioning of internal organs due to the release of corticosteroids by the adrenal glands.
- The body resists influence of negative factors. At this stage, all efforts are aimed at maintaining the balance of the internal environment under changed external conditions. Due to the body's resistance to various irritants and pathogenic factors, it general condition normalizes, the functionality of the systems is restored, and recovery begins. The resistance stage means that the body is able to maintain a constant internal environment even under significantly changing external conditions. At the same time, the secretion of thyroid hormones decreases, the adrenal cortex hypertrophies, and the production of glucocorticosteroids increases. Thanks to these processes, the state of the body remains stable. The second stage ends with complete restoration of functions or is replaced by the third stage - exhaustion.
- Under the continuous influence of negative factors, defense mechanisms weaken, and the body is exhausted. When internal forces completely exhausted, death will occur. This is due to a decrease in the functional activity of the adrenal cortex, leading to a malfunction of other organs and systems. The body experiences a heavy load, first-stage symptoms arise, which it can no longer cope with, which leads to a physical defect or death of the patient.
If a negative factor has a force that is incompatible with life, the body will not be able to remain at the anxiety stage for long. He will die in the first hours or days of pathology. If the body copes, a stage of resistance will begin, at which reserves are consumed in a balanced manner. Life processes proceed normally. But the resources of the human body are not limitless. If the negative factor continues to influence, stocks internal energy run out and exhaustion sets in.
Reasons
Stress is the main factor that provokes the development of general adaptation syndrome and contributes to the appearance of psychosomatic symptoms. All organs of the cardiovascular, endocrine, digestive, nervous, and respiratory systems respond to stress.
The cause of the pathology can be any exogenous factor that has an adverse effect on the human body. These factors include: traumatic injuries, hypo- or hyperthermia, physical overexertion, blood loss, some medicines, infectious agents - bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, helminths, ionizing radiation, change of place of residence and time zone, family discord, sudden change in weather, death or illness of loved ones, financial difficulties, birth of a child, chronic lack of sleep.
Adaptation syndrome most often develops in individuals whose nervous system has low resistance to stress. Usually these are restless and anxious people who do not show initiative and deny generally accepted values, ideals, and moral standards. The risk group also includes people exhausted by illness or hard work; having a history of central nervous system pathologies; elderly, especially lonely old people.
Selye studied the etiological factors and pathogenetic basis of the general adaptation syndrome. He established that the basis of pathology lies complex mechanism. When pituitary cells are activated, ACTH is released and the functional activity of the adrenal cortex increases. This happens very quickly - in a matter of minutes or seconds. The cells of the pituitary gland are directly influenced by the hypothalamus, which produces releasing factor, a stimulator of pituitary secretion. It has been experimentally proven that with dysfunction of the adrenal cortex, the overall resistance of the body decreases, which can be restored by introducing steroid hormones. Selye called them adaptive.
Clinic
Manifestations of pathology are:
- weakness is the result of any shock,
- dysfunction of the weakest organ,
- decreased immunity and development of infectious pathologies,
- shortness of breath - with minor stress exposure,
- rapid breathing until the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx dries out - with prolonged and severe anxiety,
- tightness, discomfort, chest pain - a sign of spastic contraction of the respiratory muscles,
- attacks of suffocation,
- headache and dizziness,
- tachycardia,
- insomnia at night and drowsiness during the day,
- lack of appetite,
- hyperglycemia,
- a surge of emotions, a feeling of uncontrollable anxiety, fear, excitement, aggression,
- despair, hopelessness,
- nausea, single vomiting,
- hyperhidrosis,
- chills and fever,
- stomach pain,
- tenesmus and diarrhea,
- numbness of the extremities - “cotton” legs,
- urinary incontinence.
Severe signs of pathology include gastrointestinal bleeding, hyperfunction and hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex, imbalance of hormones in the blood, impaired hematopoietic function, involution of the spleen, metabolic disorders with a predominance of decay processes.
Diagnosis and treatment
Adaptation syndrome can be suspected in a patient if he has repeatedly had the same reaction to stress over the course of three months, manifested by characteristic clinical signs. In addition to general somatic symptoms, patients experience mental disorders and social problems.
Symptoms of adaptation syndrome are very similar to manifestations of diseases of internal organs. The syndrome can be suspected by the fact that the patient’s clinical signs affect several body systems at once. To confirm the diagnosis, a complete laboratory and instrumental examination is carried out, including ultrasound of internal organs, ECG, FGDS, X-rays, and tests. The level of hormones in the blood is determined - statins and liberins, adrenocorticotropic, thyroid-stimulating and somatotropic hormones, glucocorticosteroids. The results of these studies should not show any deviations from the norm. Confirm the presence of pathology caused by severe stress, maybe a psychotherapist or psychiatrist after a conversation with the patient or special testing. The stress response is supported by changes in the concentration of cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone in the blood.
Treatment of adaptation syndrome begins with non-drug interventions:
- Psychotherapy. To really help the patient, the doctor needs to identify the factor that caused the stress. During a confidential conversation, the psychotherapist pays attention to the patient’s fears and experiences. The main methods of treatment include: hypnosis, relaxation, training.
- Physical activity - walks in the fresh air, morning exercises, swimming, favorite sport, visiting the gym.
- Lifestyle correction - proper nutrition, exclusion of alcohol, combating obesity, optimal work schedule, proper rest and sleep.
- Breathing techniques, yoga, communication with people, travel, and a positive attitude will also help to cope with adaptation syndrome.
Drug therapy is prescribed in advanced cases when other methods do not provide positive result when fear, anxiety increases and general condition worsens.
Drug therapy is prescribed by psychoneurologists:
- B vitamins: B1, B2, B3, B6, B12,
- sedatives – “Valocordin”, “Corvalol”,
- nootropics - Piracetam, Vinpocetine,
- sedatives of plant origin – “Novo-Passit”, “Persen”,
- antidepressants – “Fluoxetine”, “Azafen”,
- tranquilizers - Phenazepam, Alprazolam.
Preventive measures for adaptation syndrome include management healthy image life, including regular sports activities, hardening procedures, attending auto training, and diet correction. These techniques will help the body respond adequately to stress, injury, and infection. To avoid the development of pathology, it is necessary to consciously develop psychological barriers that protect against negative emotions and factors that traumatize the psyche.
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