Adaptation syndrome

In scientific literature, adaptation syndrome is characterized as a complex of changes that are not typical for humans, but appear when the body is exposed to various kinds of strong irritants or factors that cause harm to it.

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Effects of glucocorticoids in general adaptation syndrome

Glucocorticoids are hormones that are secreted during the active work of the adrenal cortex. Their role is extremely important in the functioning of the body during the adaptation syndrome. They perform a protective function, which is manifested in a decrease in the degree of vascular permeability, which prevents a decrease in blood pressure during negative stimuli. By reducing the permeability of cell membranes and lysosomes, glucocorticoids prevent their damage during injuries and poisoning. Also, thanks to them, the level of the body's energy resource increases, since these hormones take an active part in the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism.

By reducing the permeability of cells and vessels, glucocorticoids eliminate inflammatory processes. Another feature is that they increase the tone of the nervous system, supplying nerve cells with glucose. By activating the production of albumins in the liver, which are responsible for creating the required level of blood pressure in the vessels, in stressful situations, glucocorticoids prevent a decrease in the volume of circulating blood and a drop in arterial pressure.

But glucocorticoids are not always useful, they also have a damaging effect. They lead to the destruction of lymphoid tissue, which provokes the development of lymphopenia. This affects the production of antibodies. Therefore, it happens that physically healthy people begin to get sick more often.

In order to avoid such an unpleasant condition as adaptation syndrome, it is necessary to carry out stress prevention, namely, exercise, harden the body, attend auto-training, adjust the diet, and pay attention to your favorite activity. These methods will help correct the body's response to mental stimuli, injuries, and infections. The treatment process depends on the stage of the syndrome. At the first stage, hydroelectric solutions are used. At the second stage, potassium salts and hydrocortisone are prescribed. At the stage of exhaustion, restoration of the blood circulation process will be required, so cardiovascular analeptics are used.

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Stress and adaptation syndrome

Adaptation syndrome is the body's reaction to stress. Experts have identified factors that predispose to the development of this pathology:

• individual characteristics of a person: anxiety, low stress resistance, nihilism, lack of initiative, social alienation,
• mechanisms of protection and resistance to stress factors,
• social support or lack thereof,
• an individual's preliminary prediction of an event that may have a stressful effect.

The cause of the adaptation syndrome may be trauma, temperature changes, physical exertion, infection, etc. The main signs of the adaptation syndrome include: bleeding in the digestive organs, increased work and enlargement of the adrenal cortex, with increased secretion of hormonal substances, involution of the thymus gland and spleen, decreased production of blood cells. Adaptation disorder can also be diagnosed by the following criteria:

• the appearance of a reaction to stress within 3 months from the moment of its manifestation;
• it is not a response to an unusual stressor and is outside the scope of normal behavior;
• Violations in the professional and social spheres are obvious.

It is possible to avoid the development of adaptation syndrome in a natural way. Even specialists prescribe medication as a last resort. It is necessary to develop a mechanism of psychological defense, the main function of which is to develop conscious psychological barriers from negative emotions and factors that traumatize the psyche.

Selye's general adaptation syndrome

The famous physiologist, pathologist and endocrinologist Hans Selye put forward a theory that people exhibit non-specific physiological reactions of the body to stress. He gave the name to the set of these reactions - "general adaptation syndrome". The scientist determined that this manifestation is an enhanced adaptation of the body to changes in environmental conditions, due to the inclusion of special defense mechanisms.

Selye noted that no organism can constantly remain in an anxious state. If stress has a strong effect, then the patient will die at the initial stage. At the second stage, the adaptation reserves are used up. If the stressor does not cease its action, then this leads to exhaustion. Selye claimed that if the general adaptation syndrome is neglected, death may occur.

Stages of adaptation syndrome

Three phases were identified in the adaptation syndrome:

• 1 - the alarm stage. It can last from six hours to two days. During this time, the level of production and entry of glucocorticoids and adrenaline into the bloodstream increases. The patient's body begins to adapt to the current situation. The alarm stage has two phases: shock and counter-shock. During the first, the level of threat to the functional systems of the body increases, as a result of which hypoxia appears, blood pressure decreases, temperature rises, and blood glucose levels decrease. In the counter-shock phase, active work of the adrenal glands and the release of corticosteroids are observed.
• 2 – stage of resistance. The patient’s resistance to various types of influences increases. Closer to its completion, the person’s general condition noticeably improves, the systems’ work returns to normal and recovery occurs. If the strength of the irritant significantly exceeds the body’s capabilities, then a positive result cannot be discussed.
• 3 - stage of exhaustion. There is a high probability of a fatal outcome here, since the functional activity of the adrenal cortex weakens. There is a failure in the work of other systems.