The concept of the general adaptation syndrome appeared in 1956. It was derived as part of the study of the body's efforts to adapt to changing external conditions. Let us further consider in detail the features of the general adaptation syndrome, various human reactions to certain stimuli.
Steps
Selye's theory of the general adaptation syndrome explores the process of turning on the special protective tools of the organism, adapting to the external environment, developed in the course of evolution. This happens in several stages. As part of the study, three stages of development of the general adaptation syndrome were identified:
- Alarm stage. It is associated with the mobilization of the body's defense tools. During this phase of the general adaptation syndrome, the endocrine system responds with increasing activation of the three axes. The main role here belongs to the adrenocortical structure.
- Stage of resistance, or resistance. It is distinguished by the highest degree of body resistance to the effects of negative factors. At this stage, the general adaptation syndrome is expressed in efforts to maintain an equilibrium state of the internal environment whenchanged conditions.
- Exhaustion. If the influence of the factor continues, then the protective mechanisms will eventually exhaust themselves. The organism in this case will enter the stage of exhaustion, which, under certain conditions, may threaten its existence and ability to survive.
Mechanism of the General Adaptation Syndrome
The essence of the phenomenon is explained as follows. No organism can constantly be in an alarming state. The impact of a negative factor (agent) can be strong and incompatible with life. In this case, the body will die even at the alarm stage in the first few hours or days. If he survives, the stage of resistance will come. He is responsible for the balanced use of reserves. At the same time, the existence of the organism is maintained, which practically does not differ from the norm, but under conditions of increased requirements for its capabilities. However, adaptive energy is not unlimited. In this regard, if the factor continues to influence, exhaustion will occur.
General Adaptation Syndrome: Stress
Mental and somatic states are so intertwined that one cannot occur without the other. The stress response is a concentrated essence of the relationship between the body and the psyche. It is believed that the symptoms provoked by nervous shocks are psychosomatic. This means that all body systems are involved in the reaction to stress: cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and so on. Quite often after a long shockweakness sets in. Usually, stress provokes a deterioration in the work of the weakest, diseased organ. By weakening the immune system, it increases the risk of infectious pathologies.
Most often, stress affects cardiovascular activity. With a short nervous shock, shortness of breath occurs. It is caused by the ingestion of excess oxygen into the blood. If the shock is prolonged, then breathing will be rapid until the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx dry out. In such a situation, the general adaptation syndrome manifests itself in the form of pain in the chest. It occurs due to spasm of the diaphragm and respiratory muscles.
With a decrease in the protective function of the mucosa, the risk of an infectious pathology increases significantly. General adaptation syndrome can be manifested by an increase in blood sugar. This phenomenon provokes a chain reaction. First of all, an increase in sugar levels increases the secretion of insulin. It contributes to the accumulation of glucose in the liver and muscles in the form of glycogen, as well as its partial transformation into fat. As a result, the concentration of sugar decreases, the body feels hungry and requires immediate compensation. This condition stimulates the subsequent production of insulin. In this case, the sugar level will fall.
Individual differences
G. Selye's general adaptation syndrome formed the basis of research by other scientists. For example, in 1974 a book by R. Rosenman and M. Friedman was published. It examines the relationship between cardiovascularpathologies and stress. The book distinguishes two types of behavior and the corresponding categories of people (A and B). The first includes subjects focused on life achievements and success. It is this type of behavior that significantly increases the likelihood of cardiovascular pathologies and sudden death.
Reactions
In laboratory conditions, the response of both groups to the information load was studied. The specificity of the reactions corresponds to the predominant activity of a particular section of the nervous (vegetative) system: sympathetic (group A) or parasympathetic (group B). The general adaptive syndrome of type A people with information load is expressed by increased heart rate, increased pressure and other vegetative manifestations. Under the same conditions, group B responds with a decrease in heart rate and other corresponding parasympathetic responses.
Conclusions
Type A, therefore, is characterized by a high degree of motor activity with predominant sympathetic reactions. In other words, people in this group are characterized by a constant readiness to take action. Type B behavior suggests a predominance of parasympathetic responses. The people of this group are characterized by a decrease in motor activity and a relatively low readiness for action. The general adaptation syndrome, therefore, manifests itself in different ways and implies a different sensitivity of organisms to influences. One of the methods of prevention of cardiovascular pathologies is the reductionmanifestations of type A in the behavior of the patient.
Features of therapy
Studying Selye's general adaptation syndrome, it should be noted that the treatment of the body's reactions to the influence of factors is a rather difficult task. It includes several aspects. As the first, it is necessary to note the patient's own position. It is, in particular, about his responsibility for his he alth. The very possibility of using a number of means to combat stress and their effectiveness depend on how consciously a person approaches existing problems.
Pain
Theoretically, it is not considered as a special functional state. Pain is an unpleasant emotional and sensory experience that is associated with or described in terms of potential or actual tissue damage. Prolonged states of this nature significantly change the psychophysiological reactions of a person, and in some cases, the perception of the world as a whole.
Classification
Pain is divided into different types according to several criteria. Depending on the nature of the localization, it can be:
- Somatic. Such pain, in turn, is divided into deep or superficial. The latter occurs in the skin. If the pain is localized in the joints, bones, muscles, then it is called deep.
- Visceral. It is associated with sensations that arise in the internal organs. Such pain also includes severe contractions or spasms. It is provoked, for example,strong and rapid stretching of the hollow organs in the abdominal cavity.
Duration
The duration of pain acts as its main characteristic. Short-term sensations are limited, as a rule, to the damaged area (a burn on the skin, for example). In this case, a person knows exactly the localization of pain and understands the level of its intensity. Feelings indicate possible or already happened damage. In this regard, it has a clear warning and signal function. After the damage is eliminated, it quickly passes. At the same time, recurrent and persistent manifestations are chronic types of pain. Their duration is usually more than six months. At the same time, they are repeated with one or another regularity.
Elements of Pain
There are several components to any reaction. Pain is formed by the following components:
- Touch. It transmits to the cerebral cortex information about the localization of pain, the beginning and end of the source, as well as its intensity. A person's awareness of this information manifests itself in the form of sensation, similar to other signals, such as smell or pressure.
- Affective. This element includes unpleasant experiences, discomfort in the information.
- Vegetative. This element provides the body's response to pain. For example, when immersed in hot water, the blood vessels and pupils expand, the pulse quickens, and the respiratory rhythm changes. With severe pain, the responsemay be more pronounced. For example, biliary colic may be accompanied by nausea, a sharp decrease in pressure, sweating.
- Motive. As a rule, it manifests itself in the form of a defense or avoidance reflex. Muscle tension is expressed as an involuntary reaction aimed at preventing pain.
- Cognitive. This element is associated with a rational analysis of the content and nature of pain, as well as the regulation of behavior when it occurs.
Elimination of discomfort
As mentioned above, the body's reserves are not unlimited, and with continued negative impact, they can be depleted. This, in turn, can lead to various serious consequences, up to death. In this regard, the body is provided with external assistance. Thus, various methods are used to relieve pain. One of them is the so-called electronarcosis. The essence of this method is to influence the centers located in the deep brain structures. This results in pain relief. Among the therapeutic methods, psychological, physical, pharmacological should be noted. The latter involve the use of medications that relieve or relieve pain. Psychological methods are usually used in cases where the peripheral nature of sensations is not entirely clear. These techniques include hypnosis, meditation, auto-training. Physical methods involve the use of physiotherapeutic agents. Among them, the most common are: gymnastics, massage,neurosurgery, electrical stimulation.
