How to lower stress hormones. stress hormone. What stress hormones does the body release?

Wood materials and products 20.04.2022

Wood materials and products

Stress can be due to various reasons. These can be personal problems (breaking up with a loved one, trouble with children, illness), or external circumstances, such as losing a job. In such a situation, various biochemical processes take place in the human body, which can have a negative impact on health if their exposure continues for a long period of time. To neutralize the effects of stress, almost all systems of the human body are involved, but the endocrine system plays the greatest role. It is in the process of its work that various stress hormones are released.

The role of adrenaline in stress

Understanding which hormones are produced first, it should be noted that these are adrenaline and norepinephrine. They are involved in the regulation of body processes at times of peak nervous stress. They are responsible for triggering built-in mechanisms that adapt the body to a state of stress. They are released into the blood by the adrenal glands. The level of adrenaline rises sharply at the moment of experiencing anxiety, in conditions of shock, or when a person experiences fear. Entering the circulatory system and spreading throughout the body, adrenaline leads to a rapid heartbeat, the pupils become dilated in a person. At the same time, it must be taken into account that its long-term impact on human systems leads to the depletion of protective forces.

The release of norepinephrine is accompanied by a sharp increase in blood pressure. This stress hormone is also released at the time of increased nervous stress or when a person is in shock. From a psychological point of view, adrenaline is considered the hormone of fear, and norepinephrine is considered the hormone of rage. Having different effects on the body, both hormones make its systems work almost to the limit of what is possible and, thus, on the one hand, protect the body from stress, and on the other hand, help a person get out of a difficult situation. If the production of these hormones is impaired, a person's behavior in a stressful situation may be inadequate.

Mechanism of action of cortisol

Another stress hormone called cortisol and stress are almost inseparable. A sharp increase in the level of the hormone is observed precisely at the moments of peak physical or emotional stress. This is a kind of protective reaction of the body. Influencing the nervous system in a certain way, this hormone prompts the brain to look for the best way out of the situation, it maximizes its activity. If muscle effort is required to get out of a difficult situation, then cortisol can give them an unexpected boost. It is the action of this hormone that explains the sharp increase in speed and the ability to climb trees in hunters who were running away from a bear. Or a sharp surge of strength in mothers who were forced to protect their children.

The action of cortisol is that the body finds sources of fast energy, which is glucose or muscles. Therefore, prolonged stress and, accordingly, maintaining cortisol levels at a high level for a long time can lead to muscle breakdown (after all, they cannot constantly supply a person with energy) and weight gain. The body requires the restoration of glucose reserves, and the person begins to increase the consumption of sweets, which leads to an increase in body weight.

Effects of cortisol on the body

In the normal state, the stress hormone cortisol is not only not harmful, but also beneficial for the normal functioning of human vital systems. Thanks to him, the sugar balance is regulated, normal metabolism is ensured, the production of insulin in the right volumes and the stable breakdown of glucose is ensured. Under conditions of stress, there is a sharp increase in cortisol levels. As described above, the short-term effect of peak hormone production is even beneficial, but when stressed for a long time, it is harmful.

A constant increase in the content of cortisol in the blood leads to the following consequences:

High blood pressure, which negatively affects a person’s well-being and can lead to negative consequences, up to a stroke.
Deterioration of the thyroid gland, which in the long term can lead to a decrease in insulin production and the appearance of diabetes mellitus.
A sharp increase in blood glucose levels, which, together with a deterioration in the functioning of the thyroid gland, can lead to disruption of the basic systems of the body.
Violation of the functioning of the endocrine system as a whole, which can lead, among other things, to increased bone fragility and destruction of some body tissues.
Decreased immunity due to a malfunction in the functioning of human vital systems.

The effect of cortisol on weight

Another negative effect of this hormone on human life is the formation of new fatty tissues. With chronic stress and constantly elevated cortisol levels, a person develops cravings for fatty and sugary foods. In order to constantly deal with stressful phenomena, the body needs fast energy reserves - glucose and amino acids. The first is contained in the blood and enters there as a result of the consumption of sugar or sweet foods, and the second component is in the muscles. It turns out a vicious circle. The body requires sweets, which are made up of glucose and carbohydrates, glucose is consumed to combat stress, and carbohydrates are converted to fat and stored to create energy reserves. Moreover, it is quite difficult to eliminate such fat, it is formed in men in the lower abdomen, and in women - on the hips. In these places, it is very difficult to remove it even through exercise.

Moreover, the presence of high levels of cortisol often interferes with weight loss. First, the body gives signals that it needs additional nutrition, which leads to a feeling of hunger, which means that the weight does not decrease. Secondly, under the influence of cortisol, muscle is broken down into amino acids, which are required for a defensive reaction to deal with stress. This leads to the fact that a person does not have the strength to exercise. Thus, it is difficult for a person to lose weight, both through physical activity and through diet. To lose weight, you must first reduce the amount of cortisol in the body.

prolactin and stress

The stress hormone prolactin acts in most cases on women. This is due to the fact that it is associated with the implementation of the function of having children. The level of this hormone in women also increases dramatically during periods of unexpected mental stress. Its negative effect lies in the fact that with prolonged exposure it leads to a violation of ovulation, menstruation schedules, and therefore problems with conceiving a child. In addition, it can lead to various diseases of the female genital organs and the reproductive system.

Prolactin also rises during pregnancy, which leads to various emotional outbursts in women. However, a constant hormonal failure can lead to problems with breastfeeding in the future. Therefore, if during pregnancy a woman has signs of depression, it is necessary to make an analysis for the level of this hormone. A timely reaction and the appointment of medications will contribute to the birth of a healthy child and the positive mood of the expectant mother.

Constant stress in women, which means an increased content of prolactin in the blood, can lead not only to problems with pregnancy, but also to other critical consequences. Therefore, it is extremely important to learn how to deal with stress, look at life positively and avoid strong nervous overload.

Stress management

To avoid health problems caused by stress hormones, you need to learn how to manage your mental and nervous state. There are a fairly large number of methods of dealing with stress and increasing stress resistance. Someone spends time alone every day in a quiet, peaceful place, someone goes to an empty place and just screams to throw out negative energy, and for someone the best anti-stress is going to a boxing gym. The main thing is to find your own way and actively use it. It is also necessary to remember that a healthy and restful sleep is the key to a stable nervous and endocrine systems.

Healthy exercise. At the same time, training should not be to the point of exhaustion, but simply sufficient. Excessively active sports can, on the contrary, provoke the release of cortisol and lead to weight gain, and not to a positive psychotropic effect. In general, participation in sports events and regular physical activity (especially outdoors) contribute to the production of endorphins by the endocrine system - hormones of joy and happiness, which significantly increase stress resistance.

Healthy listen to good music, distribute things in advance to eliminate the feeling that everything needs to be done at the same time, but there is no time (this is one of the most common causes of stress). It also has a positive effect on the mental, nervous and endocrine systems. massage, manual therapy, meditation, breathing exercises.

So, when a person is stressed, complex biochemical processes take place in the body, which are accompanied by a sharp increase in the choice of special substances, which are called stress hormones. On the one hand, they form a protective reaction, help to quickly find a way out of a difficult situation, but, on the other hand, with prolonged nervous tension, stress hormones lead to disturbances in the body, unbalancing its systems. The consequence of constant stress can be various chronic and incurable diseases. Therefore, you need to deal with stress and learn to manage your emotional state.

An example of the nonspecific participation of the endocrine system in the adaptive reactions of the body are changes in its activities under stress. state of stress arises as a result of the action on the body of any strong, including extreme and damaging, stimuli. Under the action of extreme factors on the body, nonspecific stress reactions are primarily aimed at stimulating the energy supply of adaptive processes. leading role in these nonspecific reactions play catecholamines and glucocorticoids, in significant quantities mobilized into the blood (Fig. 6.30). By activating catabolic processes, these hormones lead to hyperglycemia, one of the initial reactions of substrate energy supply.

As a result of hyperglycemia, the level of insulin in the blood rises for some time. Metabolic rearrangements with such a hyperhormonal profile, they are primarily associated with the activation of phosphorylase in the liver and glycogenolysis, and glucose entering the blood under the influence of insulin is intensively utilized by tissues, primarily skeletal muscles, which increases their performance and increases heat generation in the body. The fat-mobilizing effect of glucocorticoids and catecholamines contributes to an increase in the blood of the second most important energy substrate - free fatty acids.

However, such a "forced" regime functioning of the endocrine system due to the limited functional reserves, it cannot last for a long time, soon the insulin content in the blood decreases, which is called "functional transient diabetes". This is a necessary condition for enhancing the fat-mobilizing effect of glucocorticoids and activating gluconeogenesis. During this period, gluconeogenesis becomes the most important source of glucose as an energy material, but a scarce plastic material, amino acids, is consumed for the formation of glucose.

A necessary condition for a long-term elevated energy supply is the switching of energy metabolism from a carbohydrate type to a lipid one, especially since carbohydrate reserves in the form of glycogen quickly turn out to be practically exhausted. The production of glucocorticoids gradually decreases, a new hormonal ratio is established: a slightly elevated level of glucocorticoids with a more significant decrease in insulin levels. This new level of functioning of the endocrine system helps to restore the balance between catabolic and anabolic processes, the consumption of protein for energy needs is reduced.

Fat mobilizing effect hormonal adjustment and the formation of a transport form of endogenous fat - very low density lipoproteins - lead to an increase in the use of lipids by cells as energy sources. Fatty acids are intensively oxidized in skeletal muscles, myocardium and liver. The resulting ketone bodies are intensely oxidized in muscle tissue, kidneys, as well as the heart and brain. The consumption of carbohydrates by muscle and adipose tissue is especially sharply limited, which saves glucose for carbohydrate-dependent tissues - the brain, hematopoietic tissue and erythrocytes, to some extent - myocardium. Thus, the hormonal and metabolic changes that occur during stress provide a long-term nonspecific increase in the energy supply of adaptive processes.

Rice. 6.30. Scheme of the participation of the endocrine system in compensatory reactions under stress. Excessive, often damaging effects of the environment, irritating the receptors, cause a powerful flow of afferent impulses to the central nervous system, which leads to the activation of the hypothalamic centers. A quick consequence of these processes is sympathetic activation and the entry of catecholamines into the blood from the adrenal glands, which causes urgent adaptive reactions. At the same time, the neurosecretion of corticoliberin increases, causing an increase in the activity of the hypothalamic-adenohypophyseal-adrenal axis of regulation, which contributes to the implementation of compensatory reactions due to the activation of their energy supply.

Stress as nonspecific reaction adaptation and compensation of disturbed functions can, with a sharp severity, be accompanied by activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid system, leading to an increase in the level of thyroid hormones in the blood. physiological stress, for example, emotional stress, on the contrary, is characterized by a decrease in the hormonal activity of the thyroid gland. Hyperfunction of the thyroid gland in response to tissue damage is a nonspecific compensation reaction, since thyroid hormones, due to the stimulation of protein synthesis, promote cellular regenerative processes and repair of damaged structures. Activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid system can also have features of specific compensation, for example, under conditions of cold stress, as compensation for thermal inhibition of metabolism.

Stress in extreme conditions accompanied by activation of other hormonal systems - hypothalamic-pituitary-androgenic and hypothalamic-neurohypophyseal. An increase in the activity of the gonadotropins-gonadotropins-androgens system (one of the manifestations is an increase in libido) and androgens excessively secreted in this case, due to the anabolic effect, contribute to reparative processes.

With surgical and emotional stress increased secretion of vasopressin. The compensatory value of the activation of vasopressin secretion is to facilitate the consolidation of memory processes, the formation of analgesia, the potentiation of the effects of corticoliberin on the secretion of corticotropin, and the restoration of hemodynamics disturbed during blood loss. Excessive secretion of vasopressin in trauma is an example of an advanced restructuring of endocrine compensation mechanisms, which implements an excess hormonal signal to prevent the possibility of water loss in the body during bleeding. The reaction of the hypothalamic-neurohypophyseal system can also be a specific compensation for disorders of the water-salt and osmotic system that have arisen in the body. homeostasis (osmotic stress).

What stress hormones does the body release?

Physiological processes in the human body are controlled by hormones. They are so important that as soon as one indicator deviates from the norm, there is a failure in the entire system. The normal functioning of the endocrine system is especially important for the fairer sex.

In the modern age, the problem of the appearance of stress is of particular relevance. This is due to an increase in psycho-emotional stress, leading, in turn, to disruptions in the life of the body. There are concepts of the so-called stress hormones, which got their name due to the fact that their production increases in psychologically difficult situations.

What hormones are released during stress?

Under the influence of stress, a whole chain of biochemical reactions is launched. All of them are aimed at protecting the body from an unfavorable environment and ensuring adaptation to a tense situation. Trying to answer the question, what is the name of the stress hormone, you can find a whole list of concepts.

Stress hormones and their effect on the body varies, but they do have common features. Adrenaline is one of the main stress hormones. It is characterized by a complex effect on the body. On his shoulders lies the most important task of restoring the muscles and returning them to their usual mode of operation. Adrenaline regulates the rate of contraction of the heart muscle. It affects the functioning of the digestive tract and blood vessels.

Note! An increase in adrenaline in the blood is noted in extreme situations when a person experiences fear, pain, anger. Thus, the body prepares to withstand stress.

The person begins to act more actively. He responds promptly to any stimuli. His memory is mobilized, the load on the myocardium and the central nervous system is reduced.

beta endorphin

The intermediate pituitary gland produces this hormone. It is even responsible for allowing a person to experience stress. Their effect:

analgesic (pain reliever);

tonic action.

Thyroxine is synthesized in the thyroid gland. Mental activity, activity and ease of people directly depend on it. At a time when a person is under severe stress, thyroxin increases blood pressure. It speeds up the metabolic process, speed of thinking, heart rate.

Accompanies stress, in parallel increases physical activity. A classic example would be a situation where a person, nervous, cannot sit still. The influence of norepinephrine is noted both on sensory perception and the degree of brain activity.

Experts note the analgesic effect of norepinephrine in extreme situations. It is a kind of analgesic that suppresses pain. That is why a person who is in a state of passion is able to forget about any injuries and poor health for a short time.

Responsible for the regulation of insulin and glucose, as well as their normal production. In a tense state, the level of the hormone increases markedly. While maintaining consistently high levels, hypertension, elevated sugar levels and malfunction of the thyroid gland occur.

Long-term exposure to cortisol leads to such negative consequences as reduced immunity, increased bone fragility and tissue destruction.

The adverse effects of cortisol can be expressed in an increase in appetite and the appearance of fat folds. A person who wants to lose weight and has a high level of this hormone is unlikely to be able to get rid of the hated kilograms. First of all, he needs to normalize the work of the hormonal system.

A hormone produced by the pituitary gland. Directly responsible for the function of the genitourinary system. Regulates all existing types of metabolism. In case of stress, it instantly rises. Pathological processes in the form of hypothyroidism, anorexia, polycystic ovaries, cirrhosis of the liver are a direct result of hyperprolactinemia caused by regular nervous tension.

Classification

Stress is a condition in which the work of the adrenal glands is activated. This reaction may be:

positive. In this case, it is called eustress. An unexpected reason for joy appears, for example, as a result of meeting with an old friend or after receiving an unexpected gift. The release of stress hormones is also observed during competitions in athletes, when they experience a thirst for victory. Such reactions do not have a negative impact on health. On the contrary, it was in a state of eustress that people performed the majority of feats, significant discoveries.
Negative. This is distress. Such a reaction can be harmful to health.

Distress, in turn, is divided into:

Neuropsychic. It is informational and psycho-emotional. In the first case, the reason is an excess of information. It is typical for people who constantly work with a large amount of data. In the second case, a strong anger, hatred, resentment provoke a state.

Physical. It can be temperature, food, pain, color. The temperature response is formed as a response to exposure to extremely low or high temperatures. A food reaction is noted with hunger or the forced use of foods that a person does not like. Pain distress is a response to trauma, the sensation of pain. Light is formed if a person has to stay in a lighted room for a long time, for example, in the conditions of life on a polar day.

Causes of increased production of stress hormones

The synthesis of stress hormones begins in the human body in an unfavorable, from a moral and physical point of view, situation. A sharp increase in adrenaline is mainly caused by critical situations. Examples include accidents, burns, earthquakes. Extreme sports, skydiving can lead to an excess of adrenaline. As for the stress hormone cortisol and prolactin, their constant or prolonged increase is caused by:

a long illness that is difficult for the patient;
loss of a loved one, friend;
divorce, parting with loved ones;
financial problems and difficulties, debts;
retirement;
difficulties at work;
the occurrence of sexual dysfunctions;
problems with the law.

In women, stress hormones often accumulate during pregnancy. After the birth of the child, the situation may not improve. For some, this leads to postpartum depression. In severe cases, severe psychosis is possible. In men, stress often leads to a decrease in testosterone.

Chronically elevated concentrations of cortisol are also isolated, due to strict diets, regular fasting. Unfavorable in this regard is the improper organization of the regime of work and rest, the abuse of caffeine. A small mug of strong drink can increase the level of the hormone by 30%. The problem is exacerbated if a person works a lot, does not get enough sleep and does not allow the body to rest.

How stress hormones affect the body

According to the generally accepted concept, stress means that the body has a negative effect. There is an adaptation syndrome, which was mentioned above. It is characterized by the following stages of stress:

Anxiety reaction. The body stops resisting. This state is called conditionally a state of shock. Then there is the launch of protective mechanisms.
Building resilience. The body is trying to adapt to new, not the most favorable conditions for it.
stage of exhaustion. Defense mechanisms fail. Violated interaction and consistency in the regulation of vital functions.

stress symptoms

The effect of stress on hormones is a proven fact. An acute reaction begins within minutes after interaction with a provoking factor. Symptoms include the following:

The person becomes disoriented, as if he is removed from what happened, but at the same time he is able to show attention to details. It is characterized by inexplicable actions, devoid of meaning. It often seems to those around him that he has gone mad.
The expression of crazy ideas is noted. A person begins to talk about events and people who cannot exist in reality. This phenomenon can last a few minutes, after which it ends abruptly.
When addressing a person, he may not respond in any way. It is common to ignore requests or to fulfill them incorrectly.
There is retardation, both speech and motor. It can manifest itself so strongly that a person gives answers to questions in the form of a short sound or is completely silent, frozen in one position. There is also the opposite situation, when a person constantly says something. There is an incoherent verbal stream, which is problematic to stop. This behavior is accompanied by restlessness. In severe cases, a person falls into severe panic, inflicts injuries on himself.
Vegetative manifestations also take place. They are expressed in dilated pupils, pallor or redness of the skin, nausea, problems with intestinal motility. Blood pressure may drop sharply. The person is terrified of death.

Often people in a state of stress show confusion, despair, sometimes aggressiveness. As you can see, the action of stress hormones is largely similar.

Attention! If these phenomena continue for more than 3 days, this is no longer a chronic reaction to stress. A referral to a specialist is required.

A stress hormone test is usually prescribed for chronic stress. The doctor conducts a differential diagnosis, prescribes a standard set of clinical tests.

How to lower hormone levels?

How to control the stress hormone, how to reduce its synthesis? It is easy to answer these questions. The level of stress hormones depends on the psycho-emotional state of the person. Substances are released in an unfavorable situation, so it is necessary to minimize such exposure. What is required for this?

First of all a healthy lifestyle is essential. This means that you need to work hard and also have a good rest, without critical shifts in one direction or another. Fresh air is a supplier of valuable oxygen for blood vessels, so walking should become a daily ritual.

Modern people rarely go in for sports. In the meantime, it is not necessary to devote most of your free time to any one of its species. It is enough to choose a set of exercises that a person finds easy to do and interesting for himself. After that it is necessary to assign a training schedule so that it is possible to devote up to 50 minutes to such activity daily.

The hardest part is avoiding stress. It is clear that it will not be possible to completely get rid of them. But you can train yourself to adequately respond to any negative load. In mastering this skill, yoga, meditation, and the use of various relaxation techniques help. Particularly impressionable people are not recommended to view negative news, shocking content on the Internet.

To supply the body with additional forces, you will need to revise your diet. It is also advisable to reduce your caffeine intake by focusing on plant foods. You need to drink more water.

It is important to force yourself to look positively at everything that happens and smile more often. A person suffering from stress needs to find any available reason for joy. It can be watching a positive movie, meeting good people, communication with which gives positive emotions. The best cure for stress is sincere laughter. All this in combination does not allow cortisol levels to reach critical levels.

Stress hormone regulation

Recently, scientists have been increasingly interested in the stress hormone and stress resistance, since the activity and life of a modern person is continuously connected with emotions, mental and mental stress.

Another important organ is the thyroid gland, the concentration of hormones that implement memory and attention (for example, thyroxine and triiodothyronine) depends on it.

Negative effect on the body

In a stressful situation, the adrenal glands secrete hormones into the blood, which in the shortest possible time are carried throughout the body. With physical stress, norepinephrine usually begins to be released, and with mental stress, adrenaline.

They both work like this:

Norepinephrine. Increases pressure without accelerating the heart rate, constricts blood vessels in the kidneys, increases the intensity of heart contractions, retains sodium ions, reduces the production of gastric secretions, and relaxes the muscles of the intestine.
Adrenalin. It has an antispasmodic effect, dilates the bronchi, leads to a failure in carbon metabolism, and also reduces the frequency of breathing. The released substances lead to relaxation of the walls of the internal organs and impair the activity of the stomach. Adrenaline is one of the few natural stimulants that affect all body systems.

Cortisol. Processes amino acids into glucose, thereby saturating the body with additional energy, reducing stress. Cortisol also regulates blood sugar, blood pressure and is responsible for the body's resistance to infections.
Prolactin. Increases immunity and accelerates metabolic processes, and water metabolism and some mental functions also depend on it.

Any hormone begins to be produced in excessive quantities only under adverse conditions and situations; in the normal state, they are an integral part of the endocrine system. During the experience, the muscles begin to work in a completely different way, which leads to the instant breakdown of carbohydrates and proteins and the misperception of hormones.

How to reduce their content?

Very often the question is asked - how to reduce the secreted hormones? Experts say that first of all, a person needs to get rid of and begin to perceive the source of the problem in a different way, otherwise the effect of medications will be only temporary. The most common stressors are:

personal life;
Job;
health problems;
financial difficulties.

With constant worries and a deterioration in the general condition, it is necessary to change your view of the situation, for this you can also sign up for a consultation with a good psychologist.

The concentration of the stress hormone can not only be reduced, but also prevented. To do this, you need to follow the following tips:

monitor your diet and eat mostly “right” food, rich in vitamins and various trace elements;
monitor immunity and drink a course of multivitamins a couple of times a year, which will protect the body from the adverse effects of the environment;
strengthen the nervous system with the help of modern medicines and various trainings;
exercise at least 2 hours a week.

Many people forget that stress negatively affects not only the emotional state, but also the whole organism as a whole. Experts have long proven that constant experiences can provoke a variety of complications, up to problems with internal organs and the formation of malignant neoplasms.

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What hormones are released during stress, and their consequences

The human body has a very complex, thoughtful structure. As a result of a nervous breakdown, special hormones (adrenaline, cortisol, etc.) are released in our body. They have a protective effect, but pose a threat to health when their blood levels reach a critical level. Such a picture is observed with constant stress, which, in the literal sense of the word, can “kill” a person.

How to deal with stress constructively? Can stress hormones be manipulated to suppress their damaging effects on the body? Let's try to understand these issues.

The role of the adrenal glands

The adrenal glands are a paired organ located directly on the kidneys themselves. One of its main functions is to help the body cope with stress and quickly recover from emotional overstrain.

Thanks to the adrenal glands, the body adapts to the main types of stress:

Psycho-emotional (occurs with a strong nervous strain and a sense of fear);
physical (manifested during excessive physical exertion);
chemical (observed when exposed to aggressive irritant substances);
thermal (develops against the background of overheating or hypothermia of the body).

The size of the adrenal glands is 35-70 mm, the weight of both is about 14 g.

A healthy organ provides a quick (within 2-3 days) recovery of the body after a stressful situation.

However, with diseases of the endocrine system and disorders in the work of the adrenal glands, even a slight nervous breakdown or minor stress can provoke serious consequences.

What hormones are released during stress

Stress includes in the human body a whole chain of biochemical reactions aimed at adapting to a stressful situation. A huge role in activating the body's defenses is assigned to hormones and neurotransmitters.

The main "stress hormone" that has a complex effect on the body and performs the most important tasks. With the help of adrenaline, “tired” muscles are restored and returned to their usual mode of operation.
Adrenaline controls the strength and frequency of myocardial contraction, affects the vessels and the digestive tract.

An increased level of this hormone in the blood is observed in extreme situations associated with pain, anger, fear. This is how the body prepares to withstand stress.

A person acts more actively, reacts faster to external stimuli, his memory is activated, the load on the central nervous system and heart is reduced.

Produced by the intermediate pituitary gland and helps to survive stress. It has an anti-shock, analgesic effect, keeps the nervous system in good shape.

Synthesized in the thyroid gland. Mental activity, mobility and vigor of a person depend on its level. Under stress, it increases blood pressure, affects the speed of thinking, metabolic processes, and heart rate.

Norepinephrine

The mental "accompanying" of stress, which increases the motor activity of a person (a vivid example of its action, when we "do not sit still" during emotional overstrain). In addition, the hormone affects sensory perception and the level of brain activity.

Its analgesic effect in extreme situations is well known. This "pain suppressor" acts as a kind of analgesic. Therefore, people in a state of passion are able for some time not to experience pain in case of physical damage and trauma.

It is a regulator of glucose and insulin metabolism. The level of this hormone increases significantly in stressful situations. If cortisol levels remain consistently high, it can lead to hypertension, thyroid dysfunction, and hyperglycemia.

Under prolonged exposure to cortisol, such negative consequences as a decrease in the body's immune forces, tissue destruction, and bone fragility can be observed.

The negative effect of this hormone is to increase appetite and body fat. High cortisol levels make it difficult to lose weight.

A pituitary hormone that regulates the functioning of the reproductive system and affects all types of metabolism. Instantly reacts to stress with increased concentration in the blood. Hyperprolactinemia with frequent nervous overstrain triggers pathological processes in the form of anorexia, hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome, liver cirrhosis, etc.

Aldosterone

It is produced by the adrenal cortex and regulates the content of potassium and sodium salts in the blood. In stressful situations, it raises blood pressure, providing a quick supply of oxygen and a number of nutrients to the body.

These include estrone, estradiol, estriol. These are “female” hormones responsible for reproductive function, as well as youth and beauty. Against the background of prolonged stress, estrogen production is suppressed, which manifests itself in the form of unreasonable anxiety, heart palpitations, strong excitement, and a decrease in sexual desire.

Hyperestrogenism is fraught with such consequences as migraine, weight gain, increased blood pressure, painful menstruation, mastopathy, infertility, etc.

Adrenaline and norepinephrine

From the work of small, but the most important glands of adrenaline and norepinephrine, depends on the body's resistance to stress, as well as resistance to various diseases. Hormones enhance the functions of the nervous system, increase blood pressure, heart rate and respiration, maintain the level of sugar, fatty acids. Adrenaline in the event of a stressful situation (fear, shock, anxiety, physical trauma) causes the following reactions in the human body:

Acceleration of the heart rate.
Pupil dilations.
Vasoconstriction.
Improving the functional properties of skeletal muscles.
Relaxation of the intestinal muscles.

The main task of adrenaline is to adapt the body to stress. However, in high concentrations, this hormone enhances protein metabolism, leads to energy loss and a decrease in muscle mass. Norepinephrine combines the functions of a hormone and a neurotransmitter.

The difference between these two hormones is that the possibilities of norepinephrine are limited only by vasoconstriction and an increase in blood pressure during stress or nervous tension.

The vasoconstrictor effect is not so long. When a stressful situation arises, both hormones cause tremors - trembling in the limbs.

Cortisol mobilizes the body's internal resources to fight stress. Its main actions:

Increase in glucose levels;
increase in pressure;
acceleration of metabolic processes;
increased levels of stomach acid;
anti-inflammatory effect (inhibition of inflammatory mediators).

In large volumes, the hormone can significantly harm health: develop depression, reduce immunity, promote the deposition of abdominal fat, reduce muscle tissue, and hyperglycemia.

Cortisol has been proven to have a negative effect on brain function. It destroys neurons in the hippocampus, a part of the limbic system of the "olfactory" brain, which is responsible for the formation of emotions and the consolidation of memory.

It is not for nothing that it is called the "hormone of death", since an overabundance can provoke a heart attack or stroke.

This is truly a "female" hormone. One of its main functions is to control the production of progesterone and support the corpus luteum in the ovary, as well as control milk production during breastfeeding.

In conditions of emotional shock or nervous breakdown, prolactin has an intense effect on metabolic reactions, as well as the mechanisms of water regulation in the body.

It is important that the level of the hormone is always kept in the normal range. To do this, everyone needs to develop the right response to stressful situations, try in every possible way to avoid conflicts and overwork, observe the regime of work and rest.

With prolonged stress and depressive disorders, uncontrolled production of this hormone occurs. This situation threatens with dangerous consequences in the form of the development of cancerous tumors (especially if there is such a predisposition in the woman's body).

What threatens the excess of hormones

These substances in natural quantities are necessary for the body to defend itself and maintain its functionality. However, excess of the norm (especially adrenaline, cortisol and prolactin) leads to dangerous complications in the form of:

Increased blood sugar and, as a result, the development of diabetes;
fragility of bones;
the occurrence of neuropsychiatric disorders;
tissue destruction;
disorders of the heart and endocrine system;
development of diseases of internal organs (for example, renal failure).

To date, there are no specific drugs to lower the level of stress hormones. Doctors prescribe sedative drugs. However, it is more important to restore hormonal balance by eliminating stressful situations.

A person must take care of his own health by controlling the daily routine, proper sleep, and diet. Useful for the nervous system are yoga and sports, walking in the air, auto-training.

How to lower cortisol levels

If the amount of this hormone in the blood exceeds the permissible norm, a person experiences a constant feeling of hunger. Other symptoms and signs:

Sleepy state.
Deterioration of memory and concentration.
Decreased immunity.
Increasing pressure.

Excess cortisol as a result of stress leads to suppression of the estrogen production process. Such hormonal effects accelerate the aging process of the body. To reduce the amount of cortisol, you must adhere to a healthy lifestyle:

Do exercises (active production of cortisol occurs precisely in the morning hours);
eat right (include fish oil and vegetable products in the diet);
drink enough water;
get enough rest (get enough sleep);
engage in physical education and sports;
do not exceed the level of physical and psycho-emotional stress.

It is important to minimize television news viewing and strive for psycho-emotional balance. It is not recommended to consume energy drinks and coffee in large quantities. With an increased level of cortisol, medicines based on the herb Rhodiola rosea help. With the help of this plant, it is possible to burn fat, restore energy after stress and lower hormone levels.

But in a more serious, crisis situation, two more hormones, adrenaline and norepinephrine, are activated at the same time. Together, they have a very powerful effect on the body and help it cope with stress.

The role of the adrenal glands

When a person finds himself in a stressful situation, the endocrine system reacts instantly and releases hormones into the blood, the main action of which is to mobilize the body and help it overcome the problem. At the same time, the main biologically active substances acting in this direction are produced by the adrenal glands, which are two paired endocrine glands located immediately above the kidneys.

The adrenal glands consist of two parts and produce hormones that act in three directions. Biologically active substances that are synthesized in the glomerular zone affect the metabolism, hormones produced in the reticular zone affect the functioning of the reproductive system. Those that help the body overcome crisis situations and cope with stress are produced by the zona fasciculus (cortisol) and the adrenal medulla (adrenaline and norepinephrine).

Adrenaline and norepinephrine

In a stressful situation, adrenaline and noradrenaline increase and speed up the heartbeat, excite the nervous system, increase blood pressure, constrict blood vessels, dilate pupils, turn off all organs that are responsible for digestion to ensure maximum blood flow to the brain. To provide the body with the required amount of energy, hormones increase the conversion of glycogen into glucose.

As a result, tired muscles forget about fatigue, and a “second wind” opens up: working capacity increases, mental activity improves, the situation is perceived more clearly, a general rise in tone and a huge surge of energy are observed.

At the same time, adrenaline is considered a hormone of fear, norepinephrine - rage, together they perform a function called "attack or flight", which allows a person to quickly react, make a decision and take actions that he could not have done in his normal state. The action of these hormones lasts no more than five minutes, then their level subsides and returns to normal. If this does not happen, their prolonged influence greatly depletes the body.

Functions of cortisol

Cortisol has a slightly different effect: while the hormones that the adrenal medulla produces mobilize all the forces of the body in order to cope with the situation, the glucocorticoid (cortisol belongs to this group) has the strongest anti-stress and anti-shock effect. Its amount increases dramatically with stress, blood loss, trauma, in a state of shock: thus, the body adapts to the situation.

As a result, blood pressure rises, the sensitivity of the muscular middle layer of the heart and the walls of blood vessels to the effects of adrenaline and noradrenaline increases, while cortisone reduces the sensitivity of receptors if the hormones of the medulla rise to a very high level.

Cortisol, like adrenaline and norepinephrine, increases the amount of glucose in the blood. If the hormones of the medulla simply convert glycogen into sugar, the action of cortisol is wider: it promotes the formation of glucose from non-carbohydrate compounds, inhibits the uptake and utilization of sugar by peripheral tissue cells, and also prevents glucose from being broken down. Cortisol contributes to the retention of water, chlorine, sodium in the body and enhances the excretion of calcium and potassium.

Glucocorticoid actively affects the activity of other hormones. For example, it inhibits the synthesis of growth hormone, delaying anabolic processes and linear growth, reduces the sensitivity of cells to thyroid hormones, as well as androgens and estrogens.

Since cortisol stimulates the production of glucose, it has a suppressive effect on the hormone insulin, whose main function is to lower blood sugar levels and deliver glucose and other nutrients to all body cells.

Another difference between glucocorticoids is that if, as a result of the action of adrenaline and norepinephrine, fat reserves are burned, and a person feels hungry after a decline in these hormones, the opposite picture is observed here: cortisol increases the breakdown of proteins and promotes the accumulation of fats. If a person stays in a stressful situation for a long time, cortisol is constantly kept at a high level, which contributes to weight gain.

Exceeding the norm

Although adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol have a positive effect on the immune system in the first seconds after the release, since they have the ability to reduce inflammation, resist allergies, viruses, bacteria and other pathogens, if their level does not subside after a while, all their benefits disappear.

They will continue to slow down the activity of internal organs, systems, enzymes, hormones that have been blocked in order for the body to cope with the situation. Over time, this will provoke serious disruptions in the body.

First of all, the state of the nervous system will worsen, which will have an extremely negative impact on the psyche: a person will become irritable, restless, nervous, will no longer perceive the situation adequately, and will be prone to panic attacks.

The main culprit for this condition is an increase in glucose levels: hormones will continue to promote its production, while the action of insulin, the only substance that can reduce its level, will be blocked by cortisol. This will lead to an excess of energy in the body, which will need to be thrown out, which will manifest itself in nervous disorders.

Prolonged exposure to adrenaline will disrupt the functioning of the cardiovascular system, provoke the development of kidney failure and other diseases of the internal organs. There will also be a decrease in body weight, constant dizziness, a person will feel the need for constant action.

When it comes to minor troubles that disrupt the nervous system several times a day, but do not require large releases of adrenaline, cortisol predominates in the blood. It is the stress hormone that causes obesity, because under its influence a person feels a constant feeling of hunger (for example, the body replenishes the reserves that have been converted into glucose).

Given that cortisol blocks the work of many hormones that are actively involved in the life of the body, if stress becomes chronic, this can provoke:

high blood pressure;
malfunctions of the nervous and cardiovascular systems;
deterioration of the thyroid gland, which means a decrease in the synthesis of thyroid hormones and calcitonin, which are actively involved in metabolism, which will lead to failures in all body systems;
hyperglycemia - an increased content of glucose in the blood, the consequence of the disease is diabetes mellitus;
fragility of bones;
lowered immunity;
tissue destruction.

It is possible to accurately determine whether there is a hormonal imbalance in the body and how large its deviations from the norm are, using a blood test for hormones. It must be borne in mind that there are no drugs aimed at lowering the level of adrenaline or cortisol. The doctor may prescribe drugs designed to calm the nervous system. But this is recommended only as a last resort, for a start, more gentle methods are advised.

Rebalancing

To restore hormonal balance and normalize the level of adrenaline, norepinephrine and cortisol, it is necessary to exclude stressful situations. If a person is unable to do this, it is required to take actions that reduce the load on the nervous system. Reduce their concentration in the blood of sports or moderate exercise, long walks, proper rest. Yoga exercises, contemplation, auto-training help well.

Phytotherapy with appropriate herbs (mint, valerian, sage) has a calming effect on the nervous system. A diet rich in vitamins and minerals with an emphasis on vegetables and fruits and minimal meat consumption is recommended, as animals experience extreme stress at the time of death, which leads to the release of appropriate hormones into the blood. It is also undesirable to get involved in foods with a lot of sugar, since the concentration of glucose in the blood is already quite high.

Also, doctors recommend communication, this will help to avoid depression, because a person, being in a stressful situation, tends to withdraw into himself, and minimizes communication with others. Talking to friends and acquaintances often helps to reduce internal tension, even if they are not able to help.

They help to put the nervous system in order and reduce the level of stress hormones, favorite activities: drawing, music, water treatments, hobbies. It is impossible to substitute concepts and give preference to smoking or alcohol: they will not bring benefits, but they will provoke the development of alcohol and nicotine addiction.

If you have any symptoms of diseases, contact your doctor. Copying site materials is allowed only if an active indexed link to our site is installed.

Stress hormone in the blood - I wanted the best, but it turned out as always

The stress hormone in the blood triggers the same responses in the human body that made our distant ancestors fight or flee when faced with predators or other environmental hazards.

For glands that produce hormones, a few thousand years is not a long time.

So it is to them that we can say “thank you” for “light replaying” in response to stressors.

Let's find out what hormones are produced during stress and what to do to effectively return the body to normal.

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The stress hormone cortisol

The steroid hormone cortisol is the most well-known stress hormone responsible for this unpleasant condition.

Like all substances that our body produces, it is needed for some reason.

And here's why: at critical moments, cortisol takes control of the balance of fluids and pressure, extinguishes those functions of the body that do not play a big role in saving lives, and improves the functioning of systems that can save us.

Thus, cortisol inhibits:

Don't give in to stress and let it lead you.

In brief moments of danger or anxiety, this does not matter, but the situation completely changes when you are under the influence of prolonged stress (which is almost the norm in modern life).

In this case, elevated levels of cortisol in the blood significantly reduce the effectiveness with which the immune system fights infections and viruses.

Raises blood pressure to an uncomfortable level, increases blood sugar, causes sexual dysfunction, skin problems, growth, etc.

Nutritionists note that the stress hormone cortisol causes a desire to constantly eat something high-calorie and sweet.

And they, in turn, contribute to an already long list of stressors.

5+ Ways to Reduce Cortisol Production

Walking outdoors has a positive effect on the body

Fortunately, we are not trapped in the cycle of negative effects that high levels of the stress hormone cortisol lead to.

Tips on how to reduce it will help you effectively restore the normal functioning of the body.

So, to reduce hormone production by 12-16%, just chew gum! This simple action helps to distract and relax.

The parts of the brain that are activated when the digestive system kicks in (and chewing is the catalyst for the process) reduce the load on the adrenal glands that produce cortisol.

If you prefer natural delicacies, eat a couple of spoons of honey with walnuts.

It will not only help the nerves, but also strengthen the immune system.

Tip: Use chewing gum rather than small snacks like cookies or sandwiches so you don't add extra calories.

Chemical formula of cortisol

Meditation helps reduce cortisol production by about 20%.

In addition, regular relaxation practices reduce pressure and help you take your mind off heavy thoughts and stressful circumstances - at work, in your personal life, etc.

Any activity that draws your attention to the spiritual realm is, in principle, great for reducing stress.

You can choose what is closer to you:

A walk in nature, away from the hustle and bustle of the city
Meditative hand art
Attendance at a church service
Oriental practices: yoga, qigong, tai chi and others

An effective way to deal with stress, and, therefore, with the production of cortisol, is massage.

A relaxing session will literally physically help shake off accumulated anxieties from the shoulders, increase the blood levels of the so-called happiness hormones: dopamine and serotonin.

Meditate to relieve stress

Tip: if you are an adherent of an active lifestyle, do not forget about sports. It works in a similar way, at the same time strengthening your health and increasing stamina. Running is a great choice.

Get enough sleep - or at least spare time for daytime naps. Sleep plays an important role in reducing cortisol levels in the blood.

Having a good night's sleep, you are much more effective in dealing with daily problems, preventing them from accumulating in a huge coma of stressful circumstances.

A little workout with dumbbells at home helps to get exhausted.

A cup of fragrant tea perfectly lifts the mood!

A natural relaxant that you probably have at home is plain black tea.

Brew a cup of sweet, fragrant tea and give yourself a few minutes for a quiet tea drinking - it will help reduce the level of stress hormones in the blood by 40-50%, thanks to the action of flavonoids and polyphenols.

Tip: choose loose-leaf tea instead of teabags - it contains many more useful substances.

And the easiest recipe in the end, which is also one of the most effective: listen to music!

A pleasant, positive, relaxing or energizing playlist promotes the secretion of dopamine and serotonin and reduces the production of cortisol.

Classical music is considered especially useful during stress, activating a maximum of brain regions and forming new neural connections - literally growing renewed nerve cells for you.

Music has a healing effect on the nerves

Adrenaline: what is stress really

Adrenaline, as a stress hormone, unequivocally hints at the nature of disturbing circumstances.

As you know from the school curriculum, adrenaline is produced when you are frightened.

It forces the heart and muscles to work more actively, and the brain to focus on one problem: how to escape from a threatening situation.

Is it worth fighting her? Is it worth it to run?

Under the influence of adrenaline, the body functions at its limit, also limiting your horizons, creativity and ability to relax.

Increased load with prolonged exposure to this hormone leads to excessive fatigue, headaches: due to concentration on the problem, it seems that nothing but it exists in life.

How to calm down and say goodbye to adrenaline

To stop being afraid, you must first deal with the cause of fear.

Take a closer look at your life: what causes you distinct discomfort?

Stress factors can be:

Work
Personal life
Financial condition
Unrest in the area where you live
Health problems

If you're having trouble identifying problem areas on your own, talk to a partner, a trusted friend, or a professional.

Often, fear is associated with experiences from childhood, and in order to completely get rid of this feeling, the help of a psychologist will be very helpful.

Adrenaline is especially dangerous for pregnant women, in this case, resorting to outside help is necessary for the health of the baby.

Talk about your problems with loved ones. It is important!

Tip: do not be afraid to go to a specialist. Choose your doctor carefully and feel free to go to trial consultations with several of them to choose the one who inspires confidence and affection in you.

In addition, you can reduce the production of the stress hormone adrenaline with the help of healthy sleep and a diet that excludes sweet, fatty and starchy foods.

female stress hormone

There is another unexpected enemy in the female body, which under normal circumstances does not carry anything bad - this is prolactin.

Normally, it is responsible for lactation and naturally rises during pregnancy, after breastfeeding, or after sex.

However, in a stressful situation, its production can increase, turning prolactin into a stress hormone.

Long-term exposure to prolactin on a woman's body leads to problems with the reproductive system, menstrual cycle and ovulation disorders, a decrease in estrogen levels and a “turn off” of sexual desire.

The most terrible disease that it can cause is diabetes mellitus.

Prolactin also inhibits the action of dopamine, making it even more difficult for you to enjoy the things that normally please you - and thereby increasing stress.

Normalization of prolactin levels

The main assistant in the fight against elevated levels of prolactin is dopamine.

These hormones compete in a peculiar way in the body, and the activation of dopamine production inhibits the production of the female stress hormone.

Do what brings you pleasure, set aside time for hobbies and relaxation - this will be the first step towards normalizing your condition.

Don't be alone with your problems.

Proper nutrition is of great importance.

The necessary substances can be found in a variety of fruits and berries:

It would be useful to take vitamins, especially if stress overtook you in the autumn-winter period.

Save yourself from beriberi and help your body cope with anxiety!

How to prevent hormonal imbalance during stress

Knowing what stress hormones are called and how to effectively deal with their increased production in the body, you can quickly cope with a negative state.

However, it is even more important to know how to prevent hormonal failure - after all, this way you can deal with stress even before it consumes you.

The main rule is to listen to your body.

Give yourself time to rest and relax, exercise, eat right and spend more time outdoors.

Find time to rest and rejuvenate

Do not forget about communication, which helps the psyche to unload and switch from anxiety to more positive experiences.

Take frequent rest breaks and use anti-stress toys to relieve tension.

Tip: choose meetings with people who are pleasant to you. A society of repulsive individuals can only aggravate the condition.

Don't forget: you can manage your stress just like you can manage your pleasure. So don't let him take over.

Be healthy and happy!

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Stress hormones and their regulation

The role of adrenaline in stress

Mechanism of action of cortisol

Another stress hormone called cortisol and stress are almost inseparable. A sharp increase in the level of the hormone is observed precisely at the moments of peak physical or emotional stress. This is a kind of protective reaction of the body. Influencing the nervous system in a certain way, this hormone induces the brain to look for the best way out of the situation, it activates its activity as much as possible. If muscle effort is required to get out of a difficult situation, then cortisol can give them an unexpected boost. It is the action of this hormone that explains the sharp increase in speed and the ability to climb trees in hunters who were running away from a bear. Or a sharp surge of strength in mothers who were forced to protect their children.

Effects of cortisol on the body

A constant increase in the content of cortisol in the blood leads to the following consequences:

High blood pressure, which negatively affects a person’s well-being and can lead to negative consequences, up to a stroke.
Deterioration of the thyroid gland, which in the long term can lead to a decrease in insulin production and the appearance of diabetes mellitus.
A sharp increase in blood glucose levels, which, together with a deterioration in the functioning of the thyroid gland, can lead to disruption of the basic systems of the body.
Violation of the functioning of the endocrine system as a whole, which can lead, among other things, to increased bone fragility and destruction of some body tissues.
Decreased immunity due to a malfunction in the functioning of human vital systems.

The effect of cortisol on weight

Moreover, the presence of high levels of cortisol often interferes with weight loss. First, the body gives signals that it needs additional nutrition, which leads to a feeling of hunger, which means that the weight does not decrease. Secondly, under the influence of cortisol, muscle is broken down into amino acids, which are required for a protective reaction to deal with stress. This leads to the fact that a person does not have the strength to exercise. Thus, it is difficult for a person to lose weight, both through physical activity and through diet. To lose weight, you must first reduce the amount of cortisol in the body.

prolactin and stress

Constant stress in women, which means an increased content of prolactin in the blood, can lead not only to problems with pregnancy, but also to other critical consequences. Therefore, it is extremely important to learn how to deal with stress, look at life positively and avoid strong nervous overload.

Stress management

It is useful to play sports. At the same time, training should not be to the point of exhaustion, but simply sufficient. Excessively active sports can, on the contrary, provoke the release of cortisol and lead to weight gain, and not to a positive psychotropic effect. In general, participation in sports events and regular physical activity (especially outdoors) contribute to the production of endorphins by the endocrine system - hormones of joy and happiness, which significantly increase stress resistance.

It is useful to listen to good music, distribute tasks in advance in order to eliminate the feeling that everything needs to be done at the same time, but there is no time (this is one of the most common causes of stress). Massage, manual therapy, meditation, breathing exercises also have a positive effect on the mental, nervous and endocrine systems.

Particular interest in the problem of stress resistance and the emergence of stress is due to the recent expansion of the sphere of activity of a modern person, often taking place in quite extreme conditions and accompanied by a constant increase in mental and mental stress and a decrease in the share of physical labor.

Created by scientific and technological progress and civilization, hypokinesia (limitation of motor activity) and hypodynamia (reduction of power loads) not only negatively affect the respiratory, circulatory, musculoskeletal system, metabolism, but also certainly lead to a decrease in the body's reactivity and, as a result - development of stress.

General the concept of stress means a strong adverse and negative effect on the body, as well as the psychological and physiological reaction of a person of various kinds to the action of an aggressor (stressor).

Morphologically and functionally stress is accompanied general adaptation syndrome, which has certain stages:

alarm reaction - the general resistance of the body decreases (“shock”), after which defense mechanisms are activated;
stage of resistance (resistance) - based on the stress of functioning of all systems, the maximum adaptation of the body to new conditions is achieved;
the period of exhaustion is manifested by the insolvency of protective mechanisms, as a result of which the violation of the interaction and coordination of vital functions is growing.

One of the criteria for the severity of stress is the severity of the signs (symptoms) of this condition, namely:

physiological manifestations - migraine (headaches), periodic increase in blood pressure, pain in the chest, heart, lower back or back, redness of the skin, atopic dermatitis, eczema, other skin diseases, development of stomach ulcers;
psychological reactions - loss of appetite, irritability, decreased interest in what is happening, inability to concentrate, increased excitability, expectation of pain or possible troubles, depression.

Stress can be caused individual factors related to events in personal life, work, emergencies. In this case, the body reacts with the same biochemical changes aimed at repaying the tension that has arisen.

The main systems that implement stressful changes in the body are the pituitary-hypothalamic-adrenal and sympathoadrenal systems, which are under the control of the higher parts of the brain and hypothalamus, the intensive functioning of which is accompanied by the release of various hormonal substances called stress hormones. They, by mobilizing the physical resources of the body, help him cope with the super-task that has arisen, which led to stress.

The main stress hormones and their features

During a period of stress in the body, the level of activity of its functional systems changes - cardiovascular, immune, genitourinary, digestive, etc. Therefore, stress hormones play a major role in maintaining this new status. The adrenal glands are the most active endocrine glands.

The adrenal cortex secretes into the blood four major groups of steroid stress hormones:

glucocorticoids (corticosterone, cortisol) - the hormone cortisol is produced in emergency or stressful situations, with a lack of nutrition and strong physical exertion. Once released, cortisol has a lasting effect, but persistently elevated levels can lead to memory impairment and depression. Cortisol reaches its maximum content in the blood serum in the morning and lower at night. High levels of cortisol are produced during chronic overexertion, which can cause cravings for sugary or fatty foods. By its action, cortisol signals the body about the need to “deposit fat” in order to create an energy reserve in the “fight against the enemy”. Cortisol is undoubtedly one of the most important hormones, but under chronic stress, this hormone is produced in much larger quantities than is necessary and that is when it becomes harmful. This hormone in excess can have a number of adverse effects: high blood pressure, decreased immunity, increased abdominal fat, decreased muscle tissue, and hyperglycemia. This usually leads to big problems with high cholesterol levels, diabetes, heart attack or stroke. Therefore, cortisol has also received the nickname "hormone of death";
mineralocorticides ( aldosterone) - a hormone necessary for the normal functioning of the kidneys, promote reabsorption (reabsorption), which leads to water retention in the body and the appearance of numerous edema;
androgens(sex hormone, estrogen) - the higher the level of estrogen in a person's blood, the more resistant he is to pain. This is due to an increase in the pain threshold;
catecholamines ( adrenalin, norepinephrine, dopamine) - belong to the hormones of the adrenal medulla and are biologically active substances. Of these, norepinephrine and adrenaline are produced not only by nerve tissues, but also by the medulla. Their effects in the human body are somewhat different, since in humans epinephrine is about 80%, and norepinephrine is only 20%. Adrenaline has a powerful and intense effect, but wears off quickly compared to cortisol, so adrenaline is often involved in severe short-term anxiety and panic situations. Adrenaline in the blood increases already in the first moments of exposure to a stressor and, according to many scientists, can contribute to the development of cancer.

In addition to the adrenal glands, the stress hormone that increases metabolism, accelerates chemical reactions and creates increased alertness is also produced by the thyroid gland (thyroxine, triiodothyronine) and the anterior pituitary gland (prolactin, growth hormone, ACTH, follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormone).

Of great importance, especially for the female body, is the hormone prolactin, which supports the corpus luteum and controls the formation of progesterone. Under stress, it is prolactin that has the strongest effect on the metabolism and mechanisms of water regulation in the body. In a state of depression, prolactin is produced uncontrollably and can lead to disastrous consequences, especially in cases where there is a predisposition in the body for the development of cancer cells. Prolactin is a mobile hormone, since its concentration is easy to influence. At the same time, prolactin, the formation of which is pulsatile and increases during sleep, may depend on the intake of certain medications (opioid analgesics, antidepressants, cocaine, estrogens, etc.) or oral contraceptives. Prolactin plays a special role in the production of milk in the mother during lactation. To keep prolactin normal, it is important to observe the regime of rest and work, as well as avoid stress or try to form a healthy and correct reaction to stressful situations.

All these stress hormones (especially cortisol, prolactin and adrenaline) prepare the body to the emergence of difficult situations through certain mechanisms, including increasing blood sugar or blood pressure to provide fuel to the muscles and brain. Thus, causing feelings of panic and fear, as well as making a person ready to confront any threat or run away from it.

How stress hormones affect the body

In response to a stressful situation, a state of confusion and anxiety arises in the human body, which are preparations for action. Information about possible anxiety enters the brain, where it is recorded as nerve impulses, and then transmitted through the nerve endings to the appropriate organs. As a result, a huge amount of stress hormones are released into the blood, which are carried through the vessels of the whole body.

With physical stress, predominantly norepinephrine is released, and with mental stress (rage, fear, anxiety) - most often adrenaline. Both hormones have a certain effect, which is as follows:

norepinephrine causes increase in diastolic and systolic pressure without accelerating heart rate, increases the intensity of heart contractions, inhibits diuresis, due to vasoconstriction of the kidneys, retains sodium ions in the blood, reduces the secretory activity of the stomach, increases salivation, and also helps to relax the smooth muscles of the intestine;
adrenalin is an antidiuretic and has antispasmodic and bronchodilator action. Unlike other hormones, adrenaline can cause pupil dilation and changes in carbon metabolism. Adrenaline by its influence reflexively reduces the amplitude and frequency of respiration, the release of potassium and sodium ions in the urine, relaxes the walls of organs, inhibits digestive secretion and motor activity of the stomach, and also increases the contractility of the skeletal muscles. Adrenaline is considered one of the most active natural stimulants of all body systems.

Cortisol and corticosterone affect body systems by:

conversion of amino acids into glucose in the muscles in order to provide the body with additional energy and relieve tension;
regulation of blood pressure and insulin metabolism;
control of blood sugar balance;
anti-inflammatory effects due to a decrease in the permeability of the vascular walls, inhibition of inflammatory mediators and inhibition of other mechanisms that cause inflammatory reactions;
immunoregulatory effects - cortisol inhibits the activity of lymphocytes and allergens.

In parallel with this, the hormone cortisol can adversely affect the functioning of the brain as a whole, destroying the neurons located in the hippocampus.

An important role is also played by prolactin, which has metabolic and anabolic effects, affecting metabolic processes and accelerating protein synthesis. In addition, prolactin has an immunoregulatory effect, can affect behavioral responses and is involved in the regulation of water-salt metabolism and mental functions. By its influence, prolactin is closely related to the female reproductive panel.

Stress hormones are secreted not only during periods of adverse conditions or situations. In the normal state, they are a necessary component of endocrine regulation. However, their concentration in the blood during stress exposure increases many times over. At the same time, muscles are activated, and instant breakdown of carbohydrates and proteins occurs.

Identification of risk factors for coronary artery disease- an obligatory stage of examination of patients with angina pectoris or persons with suspicions of it. In diagnostically doubtful cases, the identification of risk factors for coronary artery disease helps to more purposefully examine patients. With an established diagnosis of coronary artery disease, knowledge of risk factors helps to more accurately determine the individual pathogenetic mechanisms of the disease and the prognosis, and develop specific therapeutic and preventive recommendations.

The physician should be able to identify all available and known risk factors for CHD. A detailed questioning about the habits, addictions and temperament of the patient cannot be considered a professional anachronism of the 19th century. In the era of computed tomography, angiography and automated biochemical analyzers, a focused conversation with the patient is no less important.

Of the top 10 risk factors for CHD, half are behavioral.(nutrition, physical activity, social role, etc.), that is, they are completely determined by the patient's lifestyle. The effect on the patient of other factors (hypercholesterolemia, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, etc.) can also be partially corrected by changing lifestyle. Risk factors are potentially removable and therefore the efforts spent on their identification and quantitative assessment are fully justified.

It is very important, although difficult, to quantify the impact of each of the identified factors on the course of the disease. Differences in the patient's exposure to hypercholesterolemia of 13 mmol/l for 10 years and 8 mmol/l for 2 years or smoking 2 packs of cigarettes per day for 30 years or 5 cigarettes per day for 1 year are quite obvious. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the intensity of the impact, depending on its strength and duration.

Hypercholesterolemia- the most important risk factor for coronary artery disease, directly affecting the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the coronary arteries. The prevalence of coronary artery disease among the population is closely correlated with hypercholesterolemia. Often, hypercholesterolemia is the only identified risk factor in young patients with coronary artery disease, especially in women.

The optimal level of cholesterol in the blood serum can be considered 5.17 mmol / l (200 mg / dl). However, due to the wide range of individual fluctuations depending on age, diet, ethnicity, and even the laboratory methods used, only 6.7 mmol / l (260 mg / dl) or more can be considered hypercholesterolemia.

Along with hypercholesterolemia, patients with coronary artery disease have elevated levels of triglycerides, low and very low density lipoproteins. Typing of hyperlipoproteinemias makes it possible to identify more atherogenic forms and to treat the patient differently. Along with this, the content of high-density lipoproteins (alpha-cholesterol) is reduced. An increase in the content of apoprotein B (ApoB) in the blood and a decrease in ApoA, as well as changes in the phospholipid composition of lipoproteins, are also signs of an atherogenic shift that contributes to the development of coronary atherosclerosis. When hyperlipoproteinemia is detected, it is necessary to recognize its secondary forms, which can be in such pathological conditions as hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, nephrotic syndrome, renal failure, alcoholism, obstructive biliary tract disease, dysglobulinemia, glycogen metabolism disorders, porphyria. Secondary hyperlipoproteinemias also have an atherogenic effect.

Arterial hypertension as the most important risk factor for coronary artery disease, it usually serves as a manifestation of hypertension and, less often, symptomatic hypertension. If in adults blood pressure is maintained at repeated measurements at the level of 160/90 mm Hg. Art. and above, it is necessary to examine the functional state of the kidneys and other organs to identify the causes of arterial hypertension.

BP is closely related to diet (habitual excess salt intake), physical inactivity, and obesity.

An increase in blood pressure is simply detected and relatively easy to correct due to a wide range of medications and non-drug interventions.

Smoking is an important risk factor for CAD. By exposure to nicotine and an increase in the concentration of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood, it accelerates the development of atherosclerosis, and in people with existing atherosclerosis, it contributes to the clinical manifestations of coronary artery disease (angina pectoris, myocardial infarction). In patients with angina pectoris, the risk of myocardial infarction increases in proportion to the intensity of smoking.

Smoking promotes angiospastic reactions of the coronary arteries. When collecting an anamnesis, it is necessary to take into account the duration and intensity of smoking. There are no "less dangerous" and "more dangerous" cigarettes depending on the nicotine content.

Low physical activity is the fourth most important risk factor for coronary artery disease. The doctor must find out from the patient how many kilometers he walks during the day, whether his professional activity is connected with physical activity.

A sedentary lifestyle in a number of professions predisposes to obesity and lipid metabolism disorders. In persons with low physical activity, industrial activity is often associated with neuropsychic overload, which contribute to the progression of coronary artery disease.

Excess body weight as a risk factor for coronary artery disease clinically manifested by obesity of varying degrees, which in most patients reflects overeating and low physical activity. Excess body weight is determined according to the relevant tables.

Diabetes, both clinically pronounced and latent, is a very common risk factor for coronary artery disease, requiring consideration and correction, often combined with obesity.

Psychological and social factors of predisposition to coronary artery disease play an important role in its clinical manifestations and course. In persons with behavioral type A, exacerbations of the disease occur more often due to inadequate loads that exceed the capabilities of the coronary circulation. Performing an inappropriate social role is one of the important causes of chronic psycho-emotional stress leading to the progression of coronary artery disease.

Alcohol as a risk factor plays a decisive role in terms of sudden death. It is strongly associated with a number of other risk factors (smoking, obesity, physical inactivity). Most patients hide from the doctor the true amount of alcohol consumed, and therefore this risk factor for CHD often remains unrecognized.

Drinking water can become a risk factor if it contains little calcium salts (soft water). Hard water is associated with a low incidence of CHD. Usually, patients are poorly informed about the peculiarities of drinking water in their area, and doctors do not yet show due interest in this.

oral contraceptives have become an important risk factor for CHD in women in some countries. These drugs are made up of estrogen and progesterone. They adversely affect a number of physiological and metabolic processes, causing an increase in blood pressure, body weight, serum triglyceride levels and a decrease in high-density lipoprotein levels and glucose tolerance. They also affect the integrity of the endothelium, alter blood clotting, fibrinolysis, and platelet function. These shifts are most pronounced in older people who smoke, have varicose veins and atherosclerotic vascular lesions.

In connection with the foregoing, oral contraceptives are not recommended for women over 35 years of age, as well as (regardless of age) smokers who have arterial hypertension, vascular pathology and a history of thromboembolism.

As a risk factor for coronary artery disease can also be considered unfavorable heredity. Genealogical studies convincingly show that in the families of patients with coronary artery disease, there are much more sick relatives than in healthy families. The predisposition to the disease is transmitted through the inheritance of many factors - hypercholesterolemia, a tendency to arterial hypertension, carbohydrate metabolism disorders and hormonal disorders, disorders in the thrombus formation system, up to personality traits and the structure of the coronary arteries.

Familial hyperlipoproteinemias are the most common metabolic disorders caused by genetic defects in lipoprotein metabolism that lead to elevated plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. Familial hyperlipoproteinemias are observed in more than 30% of patients with coronary artery disease, i.e., in 30 out of 100 patients, the disease develops prematurely against the background of hereditary metabolic disorders.

Identification of multiple risk factors in one patient- a signal about the need for a comprehensive examination for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. Among people with several risk factors for CHD, there are many patients with asymptomatic disease, and only with the help of special studies, such as an electrocardiographic stress test, it is possible to detect signs of CHD.

In complex differential diagnostic cases with dubious symptoms, the combination of several risk factors for coronary artery disease often inclines the doctor's opinion in favor of this disease, which has good reason. Finally, the identification of risk factors is necessary in order to correctly organize treatment that involves counteracting risk factors for coronary artery disease.

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