General adaptation syndrome - the theory of G. Selje

The concept of the general adaptation syndrome appeared in 1956. It was derived in the framework of studying the efforts of the organism, adapting to the changed external conditions. Let us consider in detail the features of the general adaptation syndrome, the various reactions of a person to various stimuli.

Stages

The theory of Selye on the general adaptation syndrome examines the process of incorporating special protective tools of the organism that adapt to the external environment, developed in the course of evolution. This happens in several stages. In the study, three stages of development of the general adaptation syndrome were identified:

1. The stage of alarm. It is associated with the mobilization of protective tools of the body. During this phase of the general adaptation syndrome, the endocrine system reacts with increasing activation of the three axes. The main role in this case belongs to the adreno-cortical structure.
2. The stage of resistance, or resistance. It is distinguished by the highest degree of resistance of the organism to the influence of negative factors. At this stage, the general adaptation syndrome is expressed in efforts to maintain the equilibrium state of the internal environment under changed conditions.
3. Exhaustion. If the impact of the factor continues, then the defensive mechanisms will ultimately exhaust themselves. The organism in this case will enter the stage of exhaustion, which under certain conditions can jeopardize its existence and ability to survive.

The mechanism of the general adaptation syndrome

The essence of the phenomenon is explained as follows. No organism can constantly be in alarm. The impact of a negative factor (agent) can be strong and incompatible with life. In this case, the body will die at the stage of anxiety in the first few hours or days. If he survives, there will come a stage of resistance. He is responsible for the balanced use of reserves. It supports the existence of an organism that is practically not different from the norm, but in conditions of increased requirements to its capabilities. However, the adaptive energy is not unlimited. In this regard, if the factor continues to impact, there will be depletion.

General adaptation syndrome: stress

The mental and physical conditions are so intertwined that one can not arise without the other. Stress reaction 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 systems of the body participate in the reaction to stress: cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal and so on. Suffice often after a prolonged shock comes weakness. Usually stress provokes a worsening of the work of the weakest, sickest organ. Weakening immunity, it increases the risk of infectious pathologies.

Most often stress affects the cardiovascular activity. Shortness of the nervous shock produces shortness of breath. It is caused by the ingress of excess oxygen into the blood. If the shock is prolonged, the breathing will become rapid until the nasopharyngeal mucosa dry out. In this situation, the general adaptation syndrome manifests itself in the form of pain in the chest. It occurs as a result of a spasm of the diaphragm and respiratory musculature.

With a decrease in the protective function of the mucosa, the risk of infectious pathology significantly increases. The general adaptation syndrome can be manifested by an increase in blood sugar. This phenomenon provokes a chain reaction. First of all, increasing the level of sugar increases the secretion of insulin. It promotes the accumulation of glucose in the liver and musculature in the form of glycogen, as well as partial transformation of it into fat. As a result, the concentration of sugar decreases, the body experiences a feeling of hunger and requires immediate compensation. This condition stimulates the subsequent production of insulin. At the same time, the sugar level will fall.

Individual differences

General adaptation syndrome G. Selye formed the basis for the research of other scientists. For example, in 1974 the book of R. Rosenman and M. Friedman was published . It examines the relationship between cardiovascular pathologies and stress. The book identifies two types of behavior and the corresponding categories of people (A and B). The first group includes subjects oriented toward life achievements and success. It is this type of behavior that significantly increases the likelihood of cardiovascular pathologies and sudden death.

Reactions

In the laboratory, the response of both groups to the information load was studied. The specificity of the reactions corresponds to the prevailing activity of a particular department of the nervous (vegetative) system: sympathetic (group A) or parasympathetic (group B). The general adaptation syndrome of people of type A with the information load is expressed by the increase in the pulse, increased pressure and other vegetative manifestations. Under the same conditions, group B reacts 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 prevailing sympathetic reactions. In other words, the people of this group are characterized by a constant readiness to commit acts. Behavior of type B involves the predominance of parasympathetic responses. The people of this group are characterized by a decrease in motor activity and a comparatively low readiness for action. The general adaptation syndrome, thus, manifests itself in different ways and assumes different sensitivity of organisms to the effects. As one of the methods for the prevention of cardiovascular pathologies is the reduction of manifestations of type A in the behavior of the patient.

Features of therapy

Studying the general adaptive syndrome Selye, it should be noted that the treatment of the body's reactions to the effects of factors is quite a challenge. It includes several aspects. As the first it is necessary to note the patient's own position. Speech, in particular, about his responsibility for his health. The very possibility of using a number of means to deal with stress and their effectiveness depends on how much a person consciously approaches the 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 potential or true damage in tissues or described in terms of such trauma. Continuous 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

The pain is divided into different types according to several signs. Depending on the nature of the localization, it can be:

1. 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.
2. Visceral. It is associated with the sensations arising in the internal organs. To such a pain also include severe contractions or spasms. It is provoked, for example, by a strong and rapid extension 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). The person in this case accurately knows the localization of pain and understands the level of its intensity. Feelings indicate a possible or already happened damage. In this regard, it has a clear warning and signaling function. After the elimination of damage, it quickly passes. Along with this, recurrent and persistent manifestations are chronic types of pain. Their duration is, as a rule, more than six months. At the same time, they are repeated with one or another regularity.

Elements of pain

In any reaction, there are several components. Pain is formed by the following components:

1. Sensory. It transmits to the cerebral cortex information about the localization of pain, the beginning and completion of the action of the source, as well as its intensity. Man's awareness of this information is manifested in the form of sensation by analogy with other signals, for example, about smell or pressure.
2. Affective. This element includes in the composition of information unpleasant experiences, discomfort.
3. Vegetative. This element provides the body's response to pain. For example, when immersed in hot water the arms dilate blood vessels, pupils, the pulse becomes faster, the respiratory rhythm changes. With a strong pain, the response can be more pronounced. For example, biliary colic can be accompanied by nausea, a sharp decrease in pressure, sweating.
4. Motor. As a rule, it manifests itself in the form of a reflex of protection or avoidance. Muscle tension is expressed in the form of an involuntary reaction aimed at preventing pain.
5. 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 unpleasant sensations

As was said above, the body's reserves are not unlimited, and with continued adverse effects, they can be depleted. This, in turn, can lead to various serious consequences, up to and including death. In connection with this, the body receives external assistance. Thus, various methods are used to relieve pain. One of them is the so-called electrocardiosis. The essence of this method consists in influencing the centers located in deep brain structures. This causes anesthesia. Among the therapeutic methods should be noted psychological, physical, pharmacological. The latter suggest the use of medications that relieve or relieve pain. Psychological methods are usually used in cases where the peripheral nature of sensations is not quite clear. Such methods include hypnosis, meditation, and auto-training. Physical methods involve the use of physiotherapy. Among them the most common are: gymnastics, massage, neurosurgery, electrostimulation.