The nature of stress. Physiological and psychological manifestations

Physiology of stress – psychology

Physiological stress is internal changes that occur as a result of a reaction to changing circumstances in order to adapt. Stressors can be very different. Physiological stress is formed along the chain: anxiety-adaptation-exhaustion.

Stress has dangerous consequences

Mechanism of stress formation

Physiological stressors are divided into 2 groups.

External – hypothermia, overheating.
Internal – an excess of emotions, thirst, hunger, pain shock.

Anxiety is the first reaction to a stimulus. The central nervous system sends a signal to the body and puts it on full alert, heightening all senses and providing a powerful release of hormones into the blood.

The sympathetic department of the central nervous system is responsible for this reaction, which a person cannot influence. This department reacts with lightning speed to all changes in the external environment. The larger the change, the stronger the reaction.

Its consequences for the body as a whole are also more severe.

Anxiety

As soon as information about changes of any kind is received, the autonomic system begins to act actively, without yet understanding what exactly happened. To ensure any reaction in the body, energy is needed.

The vegetative system speeds up the metabolism to produce more of it. The supply of oxygen to the blood sharply increases, which ensures accelerated functioning of the brain centers.

The sympathetic department spends a fraction of a second on all these actions, and then its work is completed.

Stages of stress

The following actions are performed by the endocrine system, excited by the central nervous system. It controls all processes in the body through the production of hormones. Supports all changes activated by the nervous system with adrenaline. The adrenal glands produce this hormone. The process can take from a few seconds to 15 minutes.

At this stage the alarm reaction is complete. Next comes a period of adaptation to the current circumstances.

Adaptation

This stage takes the longest period. The process occurs with the active participation of the hypothalamus, it is aimed at adapting the body to the conditions.

To provide the body with energy, plasma glucose levels increase and the number of cells involved in synthesis increases.

The duration of the adaptation period will depend entirely on the psychophysical state of the body, the intensity and duration of the stress.

Complete exhaustion.
Full adaptation to the current situation.

Exhaustion

During this phase, physiological symptoms of stress can be observed:

weakening of the body's protective functions;
disturbances in the functioning of organ systems;
development of cancer;
mental disorder.

If the stress factor is not eliminated, the body may die. Long-term minor stress leads to the death of neurons, which, in turn, leads to irreversible changes in brain function: memory impairment, phobic disorders, obsessive thoughts, etc. The psychophysiology of stress is a complex process.

With the constant impact of stressors on the body, a person needs qualified medical care.

Dynamics of stress development

Physiology of stress development

Psychophysiological mechanisms of stress have allowed humans to survive as a species. Physiological responses to stress in humans are similar to those of animals. When environmental conditions change, the body prepares to flee or attack.

However, if in ancient times these features helped to survive and stop exposure to the stimulus, today stress is prolonged, because it is associated with other factors.

Events that make animals nervous are always associated with attempts to survive and adapt to a different climate; In humans, stress is very rarely a consequence of the desire to survive.

Thus, it turns out that the central nervous system repeatedly activates defense mechanisms in vain. Frequent activation of the body causes disordered reactions. And stressors are less evil for the body than the reaction itself.

Physical stress is the work of 2 basic stressor response systems. They may be activated or not included in the control depending on the intensity and duration of the influence of the stress factor. First, the body must identify the type of stressor.

To do this, the brain needs to use the functions of perception and memory. When a threat is identified, the central nervous system integrates information about it, causing the limbic system (hippocampus and cerebellum) to stimulate an emotional response.

It forms the behavioral line necessary for survival.

Reaction to stress

The limbic system activates the hypothalamus, which controls the harmony of physical reactions with the emotional state. It also controls the production of stress reactions by the sympathoadrenal system and the pituitary-adrenal stress axis. Both of them regulate the functioning of the cardiac system.

Signs of stress

Physiological signs of stress are not the first to appear. Most often, the following changes in the patient’s behavior are observed, which are noticeable to others:

aggressiveness, inability to adequately assess the situation: a person cannot stay in one place for a long time (behavior is caused by the body’s defensive reaction to what is happening);
passivity, reluctance to see people, communicate with them: gradually these signs become more obvious and bring the person closer to persistent clinical depression;
a person exhibits both the first and second symptoms at the same time: his brain is at the limit, it seems that he is about to break down, but the patient sharply rejects all attempts to help, tries to avoid communication, because obsessive thoughts and images do not allow the brain to relax even a little give me a sec.

The effect of stress on the body

Types of stress symptoms

The physiological manifestations of stress include several types of signs:

cognitive;
emotional;
behavioral;
physical.

The first group of symptoms is the least noticeable. They manifest themselves in the inability to concentrate attention on one subject, constant obsessive thoughts, and anxiety that does not manifest itself outwardly. First of all, it reduces brain performance.

Psychological stress has quite clear symptoms. A person cannot relax; his body is constantly in tension, which is clearly visible to others. It manifests itself externally in capriciousness, nervousness, constant irritability, and excessive temper. In some cases, there are frequent mood swings or passivity.

Behavioral symptoms of stress include eating disorders, i.e. undereating or overeating. Sleep disturbances and alcohol abuse are observed. Symptoms appear that clearly indicate a nervous disorder: twitching a leg, tapping a beat with a pen, snapping fingers, etc.

Physical symptoms may appear in the form of diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, dizziness, loss of consciousness, headaches, tachycardia, increased or decreased blood pressure, and decreased libido. The general state of health deteriorates significantly, chronic diseases worsen or new ones appear.

Physiological signs of stress

Methods for increasing stress resistance

Low physiological resistance to stress can be corrected. It is very important to teach people how to deal with nerves correctly. We cannot completely protect ourselves from stressors, but we can adjust our behavior and our attitude towards them.

Low physiological resistance to stress is increased through social adaptation. This process represents the active adaptation of the individual to the society around him. Training is provided in proper communication and self-presentation.

The process involves working on understanding oneself as a full-fledged member of society, one’s status, and behavior.

It provides for the organization of joint activities, the adoption of the norms and values of the society in which the person is located, without infringing on one’s interests.

Neutralization methods

The next stage is the identification of adaptive potential and the ability to apply it. Adaptation potential is completely related to the previous stage. External stressors significantly reduce it.

When encountering a potentially dangerous stressor in such a state, maladjustment may occur, which will lead to disastrous consequences.

Therefore, it is very important to improve your health and provide your body with quality rest and nutrition.

Conclusion

The physiological manifestations of stress can be briefly described as follows: a set of changes in the body that manifest themselves in the form of various symptoms, both physical and emotional-cognitive. The characteristics of stress resistance will be different for each individual.

More vulnerable people should definitely increase their resistance to stress by following the above recommendations. A good prevention of the appearance of neuroses is physical and emotional unloading. This can be achieved through sports.

A twenty-minute run after or before work perfectly clears the brain, and a contrast shower afterwards gives you a boost of energy for the whole day.

The physiology of stress suggests not refusing to communicate with people, even if you really don’t want to see them, but looking for alternative methods and approaches in conversation.

Source:

Physiological stress: symptoms and manifestations

articles

1 Types
2 Physiology of stress
3 Meaning for humans
4 Treatment

Physiological stress is a nonspecific reaction of the human body to certain external stimuli, which experts call stressors or stress factors.

Cold, heat, wind, heavy physical activity or mechanical damage to the body, thirst or hunger can disrupt the natural balance of the human body and lead to stress.

This condition is characterized by severe physical discomfort, which can be manifested by various reactions that indicate neurohumoral and autonomic activation.

Kinds

There are different types of stress due to their occurrence:

A chemical that manifests itself as negative reactions in the body due to insufficient oxygen supply, high humidity, and environmental pollution.
Biological, which develops against the background of disease.
Physical, occurring against the background of heavy physical exertion, as a rule, this condition is typical for professional athletes during periods of intense training.
Mechanical, which occurs after injuries and surgical interventions.

Physiology of stress

The physiological mechanisms of stress were studied by the Canadian scientist G. Selye. He associated them with a number of specific nervous and neuroendocrine processes that are triggered in the human body as a reaction to the appearance of external stimuli. To understand the physiological mechanisms of stress, you need to know the stages of development of the pathological condition.

The first stage is associated with the reaction of the autonomic nervous system to emerging external stressors. It is characterized by a feeling of anxiety. The human body is mobilized and this is manifested by the fact that the reserves of all systems that ensure life activity are used.

The stronger the stressor, the brighter and more complex the reaction of the autonomic nervous system. For example, in case of mechanical damage, processes are launched aimed at accelerating tissue restoration. But against the background of this, those functions of the body that have the least impact on survival in a particular situation are suppressed.

This explains, for example, the fact that women’s menstrual cycles are disrupted or milk disappears.

The physiological basis of stress is expressed by the following manifestations:

Increased heart rate, which allows you to provide vital organs with additional blood, and, therefore, improve their functioning.
Increasing the production of glucose, which is necessary to ensure enhanced muscle function.
Dilation of the pupils, which increases visual activity.
Acceleration of metabolism.
Increasing breathing, which increases the amount of oxygen to supply oxygen to internal organs.

With longer stressors, after several days the confrontation stage begins. During this period, mechanisms are activated that launch processes to combat the emerging danger or allow you to escape from it. In other words, this change in the human body is associated with the launch of processes that allow adaptation to long-term external stimuli.

At the second stage, the body's resistance capabilities reach their peak. That is, a person is able to act at the limit of his physical abilities. For example, under negative environmental conditions, physical endurance increases significantly. That is why in extreme conditions a person very rarely gets sick.

But if the stressor persists for a long time and successful adaptation does not occur, then the stage of exhaustion begins. The resistance of the human body decreases sharply, which causes individual unpredictable consequences, including the development of a heart attack or other dangerous diseases.

Most often, the immune system and organs and digestive system are affected. At this stage, the help of specialists is almost always needed; it is very difficult for a person to cope with stress under constant external stimuli. Sometimes drastic changes in life are required.

For example, if a person cannot adapt to the climate in his place of residence, then he needs to think about moving.

Source: https://obu4ayka.ru/stati/__trashed-1617.html

VI. Stress

Stress is a state of mental tension that occurs in a person during activities in the most complex, difficult conditions, both in everyday life and under special circumstances (exams, competitions, etc.).
I. G. Selye. Stress, distress, general adaptation syndrome (GAS)

In 1926, G. Selye noticed that all patients, regardless of their own diagnosis, exhibit similar symptoms: paleness, emaciation, lack of appetite, etc. He called it the " sickness syndrome"

"
After 10 years, he conducted an experiment on animals: he injected toxic substances into their blood. Results (analysis of the state of internal organs): “triad of stress (anxiety)” :
1) The adrenal glands have increased in size and darkened;

2) Atrophy of the thymus gland (thymus);

3) Ulceration of the inner surface of the stomach.

Such symptoms can be traced under a number of influences

: mental (immobilization), exposure to cold, heat, infections, injuries, bleeding, etc. These reactions are called
general adaptation syndrome . It consists of three stages :
1) Anxiety reaction. The body changes its characteristics when subjected to stress, as shown in the figure, i.e. general resistance to stress is below normal. The work of the pituitary gland, thymus gland, and adrenal cortex is activated. Hormonal changes occur.

2)Phase of resistance (resistance). If the action is combined with the possibilities of adaptation, then the resistance phase in the body stabilizes; in this case, signs of anxiety practically disappear, and the level of resistance rises significantly higher. It consists of restoring the reserves of those hormones that were used up in a state of anxiety. Adaptation (the body has found the opportunity to function normally under the influence of a stressor);

3)Exhaustion phase. As a result of prolonged exposure to a stress stimulus, despite increased resistance to stress, reserves of adaptive energy are depleted. Then the signs of an anxiety reaction reappear, but now they are not reversible and the individual dies.

That. Stress is a nonspecific response of the body to any demand placed on it. Described as a set of physiological and biochemical changes in the body in a dangerous situation. Generalized reaction of the whole organism. This formulation provides a roughly “neutral” characterization of stress; From this Selye deduces two types of stress:

Distress ( d-stress

) – this is stress that is unpleasant and harms the body, negative stress.

Eustress ( f-stress

) is a positive stress that helps mobilize the body.

The biological function of stress is adaptation.

It is designed to protect the body from threatening, destructive influences of various kinds: physical, mental. It promotes the mobilization of individual resources to overcome the difficulties encountered.

Selye initially studied the stress response in response to physical stimuli, and then it turned out that mental factors also cause stress. Since any agent that requires adaptation causes stress, any disease is associated with some manifestation of stress (the disease entails some adaptive reactions). For diseases that arise mainly as a result of adaptation defects (improper course of stress syndrome), Selye proposed the name “adaptation diseases”, because they depend less on the nature of the pathogenic factor than on the adaptation of the body's reactions to nonspecific stress effects. On the one hand, one cause (stress), a pathogenic factor, can cause many different diseases (selection of an organ based on the principle of the weak link), on the other hand, a certain strictly defined lesion can be caused by different agents, since they all have a stressor effect.

The relationship between emotions and stress.

It is believed that the main component of psychological stress is emotional arousal. A characteristic tendency is to view stress as a special state, juxtaposed with other emotional states. Some authors propose to consider the problem of stress in a functional aspect, as a problem of the influence of emotion on the productive activity of the subject. A state of mental tension (stress) occurs when a person performs productive activities in difficult conditions and has a strong impact on its effectiveness.

Specificity of response to stress:

1) high resistance to stress; 2) low, while for some the activity improves, for others it worsens to the point of failure. It depends both on the situation and on the subject himself. Therefore, when assessing tension, performance indicators are used: the nature of shifts in activity (deterioration or improvement).

Tension is characterized by two characteristics:

1. The nature of disturbances in activity ( inhibitory form

– slow performance of intellectual operations,
impulsive
– an increase in the number of erroneous actions,
generalized
– strong excitement, a sharp deterioration in performance, motor incoordination, etc., complete disruption of activity).

2. Strength, persistence of these disturbances (insignificant, tension disappears quickly; long-term and noticeably affecting the process of activity; long-term, pronounced and practically does not disappear, despite preventive measures). Physiological changes and performance indicators are important indicators of psychological tension.

Physiology of stress – Psychologos

Stress is a process of internal changes in the body's systems in response to any strong or prolonged environmental influence.

Alarm reaction

Having received information that something has changed somewhere, the autonomic system, not yet knowing what has changed and how it will be assessed, is already preparing resources to react to the environment.

Any reaction, whether positive or negative, requires energy.

Accordingly, the autonomic system triggers a reaction to increase metabolism, increasing the supply of oxygen to vital organs, including the brain. This is where the action of the nervous system ends.

The vegetative system did its job: it informed the body about the changes and made preliminary preparations. This takes her a split second.

Among others, the autonomic system awakens the endocrine system, that is, the system that regulates processes in the body through hormones. Further actions are carried out by this system.

The endocrine system, awakened by the vegetative system, preserves the changes that have occurred in the body. through the release of the hormone adrenaline. This hormone is secreted by the adrenal glands into the blood. Adrenaline supports the changes made by the autonomic system.

This is a reaction of medium duration - from a few seconds to 10-15 minutes.

At this point, the alarm reaction ends and turns into an adaptation reaction.

If the environmental influence is weak, then the anxiety reaction can develop slowly, over several hours or even days.

If, for example, you are lost in an unfamiliar city and are looking for your way for an hour, stress will not develop, but if you cannot find your way for three hours, the experience will be different.

Adaptation reaction

This is already the longest stage of stress. This is a chain of changes that occurs with the participation of the brain (specifically, the hypothalamus). All actions are aimed at adapting to environmental conditions.

At this stage, changes occur such as an increase in glucose levels in the blood (providing an increased supply of energy), an increase in the number of cellular structures that synthesize energy, and so on.

The adaptation reaction may or may not be long-lasting, it all depends on the state of the body and the strength and duration of the stressor.

The adaptation reaction has two outcomes: either the body adapts to new conditions and lives on, or the body’s strength comes to an end and then the stage of exhaustion begins.

Exhaustion reaction

The exhaustion reaction is a period of stress development when the body’s strength is no longer able to withstand the effects of the stressor and the body begins to slowly die. The first to suffer is the immune system, the digestive system. If the stress factor does not stop, the body dies.

These are facts, but there are other facts. Other facts suggest that people today tend to see stress where there is none at all, and stress is spoken about primarily by those who do not know how and do not want to take responsibility for coping with basic difficulties.

Pushing yourself to work is already called stress. Listening to the remark that they are busy with other things at work is already terrible stress...

Knowing the physiology of stress is useful, but it is even more useful to remember the illness of first-year medical students who begin to study diseases and suddenly discover all the diseases in themselves. Bottom line: don’t stress yourself out, don’t frighten yourself: nothing threatens you personally.

Lead a healthy lifestyle, train yourself to think about business, take care of loved ones, live in a positive mode - and you won’t be afraid of any stress.

Congratulations to you!

Source: https://www.psychologos.ru/articles/view/fiziologiya-stressa

Causes and physiological manifestations of stress

Any unfavorable factor can cause a reaction. External conditions are possible: changes in oxygen concentration, air temperature, humidity. Stress factors include too intense physical activity, lack of sleep, hunger, and thirst.

The condition goes through 3 stages of development. At the first stage, the body receives a signal that the changes that have occurred are having a negative impact, and the synthesis of cortisol increases.

After this, the adaptation process begins. The heart rate increases, which causes an increase in blood pressure; vital organs are better supplied with blood, which allows for more intense work. In order for the muscles to work more intensely, glucose synthesis increases and the concentration of the substance in the blood increases. The pupils dilate. Metabolic processes are accelerated. To better supply oxygen, breathing becomes more frequent. Endurance increases, a person adapts to the stressor for a long time.

The first reaction lasts from several hours to several days. Then comes the stage of exhaustion. If a person fails to adapt to unfavorable external factors, the autonomic system becomes exhausted.

Resistance becomes too low, which increases the likelihood of developing any pathological processes. Due to the fact that blood pressure rises, headaches occur. A person experiences constant fatigue, wants to rest, and gets tired quickly. Apathy may develop, interest in life and communication may disappear. Inappropriate emotional reactions are possible. In severe cases, a heart attack is possible. Metabolism slows down. The immune system is gradually depleted, causing health conditions to deteriorate. The organs of the digestive system are also severely affected.

In addition to the physiological basis of stress, there is also a psychological basis; Constant nervous tension can cause mental disorders and somatic pathologies.

Physiology of stress

Hello! You’ve probably often heard phrases like: “I’m stressed,” “I’ve been stressed,” “after such stress, his health has deteriorated.” Today I will tell you about what stress is - psychological, emotional, professional or any other. We will also look at what happens in our body during stress and what its danger is.

We will talk about stress in the context of normal and pathological physiology. These sciences study the patterns of functioning of a healthy and diseased body, respectively.

Stress factors

Let's imagine a young man who, since childhood, did not like physical exercise and did not strive to develop physically in any way. Let's call him Harold. Harold graduated from school, then university and began office work. The salary in the office seemed clearly insufficient to him and, after working there for several years, he decided to earn extra money in his free time.

In late fall, Harold was offered additional work, such as unloading goods at a grocery warehouse. Our hero agreed, because he only had to work a couple of times a week, and the pay was very good. So, he combines office work and part-time work in a warehouse on weekends. What is happening to his body?

A man who had never lifted anything heavier than a computer mouse had to move boxes of food from place to place, unloading trucks that arrived at the warehouse. Plus, twice a week Harold began to freeze while working - he went to the warehouse during the cold season.

What we have just described is commonly called stress. Stress is a restructuring of metabolism that occurs in response to any irritant. That is, stress is an adaptation to stimuli. In our example there are two stimuli:

Unusual physical work;
Low temperatures.

The important point is that Harold was not adapted to these stimuli. He felt all this for the first time in his life.

Our Harold was suddenly hit with two stressors. How will his body respond to them? The nervous and endocrine systems will help him.

Response to stress. Adaptation

Information that the body has found itself in new, unusual conditions will enter the brain. The sharply increased tension in the musculoskeletal system (do not forget that Harold began to carry weights) will be noticed by proprioceptors .

Proprioceptors are small sensors located in our muscles and joints. They track information that enters our brain from the musculoskeletal system - about the load on the muscles, their contraction and the position of the body in space.

Chemoreceptors will respond to the increased amount of carbon dioxide and breakdown products in the blood.

Chemoreceptors (from the Latin “hemo” - “blood”) are located in the aortic arch and at the site of the branching of the common carotid artery into the internal and external. Chemoreceptors monitor blood pressure, as well as the concentration of carbon dioxide and acidic waste products in the blood.

Finally, the thermoreceptors will sense the cold.

Thermoreceptors are temperature receptors and are found on the skin.

All these receptors will transmit information to the brain. There it will be processed and the body will quickly understand that it is faced with a stressful situation.

Next, the hypothalamus, the central control panel of the endocrine system, will come into play. This tiny gland, which weighs about 5 grams, controls a huge number of adaptive mechanisms. In this picture from Wikipedia, the cerebral hemispheres and cerebellum are made transparent so that we can see the hypothalamus:

The hypothalamus will release corticoliberin, a hormone that should stimulate the pituitary gland. I colored the pituitary gland blue, the arrow shows the direction of corticoliberin from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland.

The pituitary gland, in turn, having received such a signal, will release
adrenocorticotropic hormone, which will go to the adrenal glands, more precisely, to their cortex (cortex - cortex, adreno - adrenal gland).
Adenocorticotropic hormone is a signal from the pituitary gland addressed to the adrenal cortex. Adrenocorticotropic hormone, upon reaching the adrenal cortex, causes it to produce cortisol .

Cortisol is the main stress and adaptation hormone. Remember the definition of stress? Stress is a restructuring of metabolism, that is, metabolism. It is cortisol that will carry out these changes.

Metabolic restructuring

Let's look at the example of each irritant of metabolic restructuring:

1.Unusual physical work . If Harold's body does not take any action, the weak muscles and tendons will be constantly injured and, ultimately, damaged irreversibly.

To prevent this from happening, Harold's body will direct growth hormones to the muscles. Also, protein will be sent to the muscles, from which new elements of muscle fibers will be built.

This process requires a lot of energy, which means that additional substances will be needed from which energy can be obtained. You will need a lot of glucose, fatty acids and again proteins.

It is from these substances that energy will be extracted to build muscle mass (here you will learn how this happens).

2. Low temperatures . Harold will constantly walk from the warehouse (where it is cold due to industrial refrigerators) to the street (where it is cold due to the season). To keep warm, Harold's body will again request energy.

The thyroid gland will change its metabolism so that more energy is dissipated as heat and less energy is used for other body needs.

Where can we get this energy instantly? Of course, from what is already in the body - from glycogen in the liver, from fat cells, and also from proteins.

We have just seen Harold's body encounter two unfamiliar stimuli. When he first froze and felt tired for the first time after physical work, his body faced stress.

Stress hormone

And this is where stress hormones come into play, the main one being cortisol . The effect of stress on the body depends on its work. Let's see what it will do:

Glucose, which will be required in large quantities, will come from glycogen (it is deposited in the liver) into the blood. This means that cortisol will increase blood glucose levels, depleting glycogen reserves in the liver.

Another important type of energy fuel is fatty acids. Their oxidation produces acetyl coa, a very energy-intensive product. When fatty acids are needed, cortisol will break down fats. This means that our fat reserves will become smaller, and there will be more lipids in the blood.

And finally, proteins. Where will the proteins come from for Harold? Since he needs them for muscles, cortisol will not extract protein from the muscles. This is a very important point, remember it - cortisol acts selectively .

It redirects nutrients from the organ that is currently not working to the organ that is maximally loaded in order to adapt to stress. In our case, adaptation hormones will break down the proteins of lymphoid and bone tissue. The synthesis of blood plasma proteins, including the most important immunoglobulins, will also slow down.

This means that immune reactions will weaken during adaptation and the body will become vulnerable to viruses, bacteria and other troubles.

This was a simple example in which I wanted to show you stress factors (in our case it was hard physical work and cold), as well as measures of adaptation of the body - an increase in muscle mass and an increase in heat production, respectively.

We can consider any stress mechanisms, for example, if our Harold climbs the mountains, he will experience a lack of oxygen.

Adaptation hormones will start working again , sending nutrients to those organs that are most heavily stressed.

These will be the alveoli in the lungs, the respiratory muscles, the heart, as well as the red bone marrow, which will produce more red blood cells.

If Harold gets, for example, appendicitis and undergoes abdominal surgery, he will also experience stress and his body will launch a whole cascade of adaptive reactions.

Psycho-emotional shock is also a stress factor.

A threat to life, sudden loud screams, unexpected conversations in a raised voice - this is stress, during which the body will trigger hormonal reactions controlled by adrenaline and cortisol.

Even very pleasant events that we do not expect - for example, sudden news about winning the lottery - even this will be a stressor.

A very important thing: the effect of stress and adaptation hormones, primarily cortisol, is very different depending on the time of stress and its strength .

If the stress is not short-term, as in our example, but constant, incessant, exhausting, cortisol will work completely differently.

I will tell you about this in the next article, in which we will analyze beneficial and harmful stress. We will also learn why hardening is useful and how it works from a physiological point of view.

Finally, I will talk about how stress-related illnesses arise.

Source: https://medicine-boy.ru/fiziologia_stressa/

On a diet: physiological stress

Another example, perhaps the most common, is the effect of therapeutic fasting or dieting on the human body. Many women believe that diet is the safest and most reliable way to achieve a slim figure. Everyone has their own diet: some give up sweets and starchy foods, some reduce the usual amount of food consumed, some arrange fasting days, etc. The goal in all this is the same - limiting the amount of calories consumed, which, in turn, forces the body to use reserves - fat deposits.

However, any diet is a physiological stress for the body, which triggers an adaptive reaction. The body, adapting to dietary restrictions, adapts to changing conditions. No less stress awaits a person after returning to their usual diet. It is for this reason that those who lose weight often end up with many health problems. Among them are insomnia, exacerbation of chronic diseases, cardiovascular disorders, and women often experience irregular menstrual cycles. The body simply cannot withstand such stress; it does not have enough resources for normal functioning.

We should not forget that physiological stress can be accompanied by psychological problems.

In any case, physiological stress should not be regarded as an exclusively negative phenomenon. Dosed stress - hardening, dousing with cold water, swimming, jogging, etc. – help increase the body's endurance.

Physiology of stress in humans, physiological mechanisms and changes – Harmony within

articles

1 Types
2 Physiology of stress
3 Meaning for humans
4 Treatment

Physiological stress is a nonspecific reaction of the human body to certain external stimuli, which experts call stressors or stress factors.

Cold, heat, wind, heavy physical activity or mechanical damage to the body, thirst or hunger can disrupt the natural balance of the human body and lead to stress.

This condition is characterized by severe physical discomfort, which can be manifested by various reactions that indicate neurohumoral and autonomic activation.

Meaning for humans

Physiological stress refers to uncontrolled processes in physiology. That is, they often occur unexpectedly and can have varying durations.

Short-term stress of a physiological nature, according to experts, does not pose a threat to human health. Moreover, its positive effect is noted, since it forces the body to adapt to certain external stimuli.

This means that the physiological manifestations of short-term stress increase the resistance of the human body as a whole.

As an example, we can cite the procedure of dousing with cold water, which causes physiological stress. But if you teach a child to douche from childhood, you can harden the body, which will later allow an adult to easily adapt to changes in environmental conditions. It is useful to combine hardening procedures with moderate physical activity.

If external negative stimuli affect the human body for a long time, this becomes the cause of the development of serious destructive processes.

Therefore, when stress causes dangerous symptoms associated with malfunctions of the cardiovascular or endocrine system, and an exacerbation of existing chronic diseases occurs, then urgent measures must be taken.

Physiological symptoms can cause mental changes over time. That is, physiological and psychological symptoms of stress are always interrelated.

Physiological stress: its significance for humans

Physiological stress is a direct response (reaction) of the body to a sudden change in the environment or exposure to a stimulus, usually of a physicochemical nature. Stress is characterized, first of all, by strong physiological changes, which are signs of neurohumoral and autonomic activation. At this time, a person experiences subjective physical discomfort.

Physiological basis of stress.

The anxiety reaction originates in the hypothalamus at the moment when the feeling of impending danger gives the body a signal to action.
This signal is transmitted through the sympathetic nervous system to the adrenal glands (which are called survival glands). After receiving an alarm signal, the adrenal glands release into the blood a portion of powerful stimulants - catecholamines, including adrenaline and norepinephrine. The level of adrenaline reaches its highest point at the moment when danger begins to be realized, when a person feels anxious or the need for complex physical activity arises. The effects of norepinephrine are strongest during the stress response itself, when anxiety has developed into a desire to act. These powerful hormones act simultaneously with other body responses to create a survival “net.” The body's most important responses to stressful situations include:

• increased heart rate - increased heart performance, providing organs with additional blood and high energy in times of danger;

• increased blood sugar (energy for muscles);

• blood flow from the digestive organs to the skeletal muscles, which allows you to quickly avoid danger or recover from a blow;

• increased blood clotting - reducing the risk of death from blood loss in case of significant injuries;

• dilated pupils - increased visual activity, vigilance;

• rapid breathing - increased oxygen flow to vital organs.

In addition to catecholamines, the anxiety reaction produces endorphin, which reduces sensitivity to pain, as well as hormones that enhance auditory and visual perception. As a result of the alarm reaction, the body prepares for possible changes and accumulates strength to respond.

The vigilance reaction develops in the event of short-term and (or) long-term, but constant danger. Signals for the alert response are generated primarily in the pituitrin (control) glands, which are located at the base of the brain. In turn, these glands lead to the activity of the adrenal cortex, which produces cortisol in the blood. This hormone acts slowly and steadily, causing a series of physical changes: arousal, conservation of energy resources, salt retention, increased blood pressure, loss of important sodium and magnesium, cardiac arrhythmia, increased levels of fats and cholesterol in the blood, suppression of sex hormones, increased acidity of gastric juice.

Cortisol increases the ability of small “control” blood vessels to constrict. At the moment of sudden or maximum physical activity, this prevents bleeding in the skeletal muscles. Cortisol increases the number of blood clots, which slows your heart rate. As a result of all this, the efficiency of the systems that absorb and use energy increases, thus preparing the body for the load. Cortisol initially stimulates and then chronically weakens the immune system, reducing the effectiveness of lymphocytes and other immune cells.

A stress factor affects the central nervous system - this stimulates the hypothalamus and it begins to activate the sympathetic-adrenoline system, stimulating the pituitary gland and adrenal cortex. As a result, hormones are released into the blood. When a person reacts actively to stress, the sympathetic-adrenaline system works, and when a person reacts passively to stress, the pituitary gland-adrenal cortex predominates, and the release of adrenaline (the fear hormone) predominates, which acts quite harshly. Another important hormone, norepinephrine (the hormone of courage), is produced in the central nervous system and has a gentle but long-lasting effect. In the same people in different situations, one hormone predominates over another. Why is this happening? Physiologists cannot explain for sure, but it is known that adrenaline prevails over norepinephrine with the resulting reaction of anxiety, fear, feelings of defenselessness, as well as during prolonged mental and physical stress. Adrenaline is mental anger, what psychologists call the “rabbit” response. Norepinephrine predominates with a feeling of determination or real anger, in situations that are unpleasant but familiar (stereotypical), psychologists call this the “lion” reaction. Behavioral responses to stress are associated with individual differences in hormonal production under stress. The first to respond to stress is the most sensitive ANS, most often it is sympathy. Energy is needed and sympathy acts quickly, but briefly. It turns on in a split second, but after a few seconds its capabilities are exhausted (the adrenal glands, i.e., adrenaline, provide respite). Nature has made sure that the energy expenditure vessel is not quickly depleted, perhaps at the first stress. People whose sympathetic nervous system predominates tend to react actively to stress. They are unpredictable and capable of showing decisiveness in stressful situations. On the contrary, the predominance of parosympathetic behavior gives people the following characteristics: indecisiveness, predictability, fear. Julius Caesar, based on these characteristics, arranged his warriors for the battle as follows: he placed sympathicotonics in the first ranks, and parosympathetics in the back. He knew nothing about the work of the VNS, but by recruiting soldiers into his ranks, he created a stressful situation for them and observed how they reacted. If the warrior turned pale, then Caesar knew that in front of him was a brave man; if the warrior blushed, then this person was predictable and could fade away in a serious situation. In sympathicotonics, in extreme situations, the vessels constrict, including those close to the skin of the face, and it turns pale, while in parosympathetics, the vessels dilate, which gives the face a red color.

Psychological basis of stress.

Psychologists divide people into two types: A and B. It is believed that type A has a predisposition to stress.

Type A are people who are nervous, aggressive, and anxious. They have a high level of aspirations and lead an active lifestyle, but are always tense. This is the risk group.

Type B is their opposite. These people, as a rule, are always relaxed, they do not experience tension, they have moderate aspirations and there is no sense of competition. Therefore, they rarely experience stress.

Depending on the properties of the nervous system, we react differently to stress. Melancholic people tolerate stress more heavily, choleric people are weaker, and sanguine and phlegmatic people have an easier time of it.

Types of stress symptoms

The physiological manifestations of stress include several types of signs:

cognitive;
emotional;
behavioral;
physical.

Changes in physiology during stress are a natural consequence of exhaustion.

Physiological signs of stress