When should you take the Stress Complex test?
- Assessing the state of the body during stress.
- Neurological pathology (hyperexcitability, tremor, convulsions, muscle hypotension).
- Depression.
- Atherosclerosis and related diseases of the cardiovascular system: coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction (risk assessment, diagnosis, prognosis).
- Long-term monitoring of the course and control over the treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus to determine the degree of compensation of the disease.
- Emotional stress.
Harmful or not?
It cannot be said that stress is definitely harmful. After all, this is a special function that allows the body to survive. And when we are talking about a young and healthy person, the body’s reaction to stress irritation is almost painless. Stress is easily tolerated if you manage to “discharge”
.
Stress itself is the release of a large number of various biologically active substances that accelerate all processes in the body. Nature has provided this process so that a person in a critical situation can mobilize and perform effective physical actions: run, fight, lift weights. In modern humans, all stress hormones are released into the body in the same way as in distant ancestors, but are often not used for their intended purpose - for physical activity
. “A good example of the positive impact of stress on a modern person is the work of an actor,” says Boytsov. “Every appearance on stage is a stressful situation for them. Which is discharged through the release of emotions during the game.”
Detailed description of the study
Nervous stress, insomnia, loss of energy, and depressed mood are common problems that a person faces due to stress during self-isolation within four walls. They can occur for various reasons. Lack of sunlight can lead to a decrease in vitamin D levels, which entails a deficiency of the “joy hormone” serotonin, melancholy, and leaching of calcium and magnesium from the body. A lack of magnesium, in turn, prevents the nervous system from calming down and can cause anxiety and insomnia.
Another negative factor is problems with the thyroid gland, which can be detected by determining the TSH level. With thyroid hyperfunction, general nervous excitement increases, but concentration decreases, sudden mood swings and insomnia appear. With insufficient thyroid function, apathy, constant drowsiness, weight gain, loss of libido, and extremely low performance may be observed.
Cortisol is a stress hormone. The higher the stress level, the higher the level. The longer the high level of this hormone remains, the more severe the consequences for the body: this is not only overeating, excess weight, insomnia, but also an increasing risk of heart attacks and strokes, especially with a high atherogenic index.
The complex will allow you to identify areas of greatest risk and take the necessary measures in a timely manner. Perhaps to reduce stress levels it will be enough to take a course of simple vitamins.
Vitamin D – Affects the synthesis of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, whose low levels are associated with depression. A decrease in the synthesis of Vitamin D affects the functioning of the nervous system, reducing stress resistance.
Vitamin D is very important in difficult times of pandemic and self-isolation. Vitamin D increases the ability of immune cells to cope with viruses. Scientists talk about a clear dependence of the severity of viral infections (including COVID-19) on the level of vitamin D in the body [1]! During the winter period, the level of vitamin D for many people drops - it is produced in the skin under the influence of sunlight, which is not enough during the cold season.
Magnesium is one of the key inorganic components in the body, affects the state of the nervous system, and is extremely important in regulating the neuromuscular activity of the heart.
General calcium is an essential trace element involved in the construction of the skeleton, heart function, neuromuscular activity, blood clotting and many other processes.
Cortisol is a hormone whose levels increase during stressful situations. This entails an increase in the level of adrenaline and glucose in the blood, and an increase in blood pressure.
TSH is the main indicator for assessing the condition of the thyroid gland, the pathologies of which are the second most common after diabetes mellitus.
The atherogenic index is an indicator that reflects the degree of risk of developing heart and vascular disease.
Atherogenic coefficient is the ratio of “bad” cholesterol to “good” cholesterol, characterizing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
Cholesterol (CH) is a fat-like substance vital to the body. The most important indicator of lipid metabolism. It is involved in the formation of cell membranes of all organs and tissues of the body. Serves as the basis for the synthesis of sex hormones. Bile acids are formed from it, thanks to which fats are absorbed in the intestines.
HDL is called “good” cholesterol because it removes excess amounts of low-density cholesterol from the walls of blood vessels.
In the development of atherosclerotic plaques in blood vessels, not only an increase in the total amount of cholesterol in the blood is important, but also the ratio between “bad” and “good” cholesterol. This is what the atherogenicity coefficient reflects.
Biochemistry of stress
Murzaeva Irina Yurievna
Endocrinologist, Preventive medicine
April 6, 2020
Now the medical part of the previous article.
The material in this article is partially taken from the blog zametci _nevrologa (Kazan).
Many residents of our country, even before the current events, experienced severe stress: work < - > work, absence or minimal vacations for several years, a regime of ambiguity, you have to manage everything - to be “on top” everywhere, constant perfectionism (trying to do everything perfectly), For many, in addition to work - endless studies (this concerns doctors most of all - CME is “our everything”), constant lack of sleep, and sometimes “malnutrition” (this applies more to protein foods) and an excess of sweets (unnecessary), as an attempt to make up for energy deficiency, constant anxiety and overwork, a lot of emotional experiences (betrayal and resentment, etc.) and it’s endless…. As a result, what happens to the brain: any stress affects the limbic system, where the ANS (autonomic nervous system) is located, and it does not depend on the central nervous system (not regulated by will and desires), it is “independent” and unpredictable reactions begin in the body : anxiety-panic attacks, headaches-migraines, dizziness, rise and fall of Hell, excitement, sometimes persistent insomnia, weakness (not associated with physical fatigue), as a rule, this does not last long, after about 5-7 days the phase of emotional inhibition begins , usually, this is also a short period - 5-6 days, sometimes longer, then the “plateau” (stabilization) phase begins if the central nervous system (central nervous system) can compensate for this stress, but it can be worse if the central nervous system is “not ready” to compensate for this condition (she is exhausted) - either the phase of “loss of strength” may drag on, or instead of a “plateau” an illness will occur or many chronic pathologies that have already been in the anamnesis or to which the body is genetically predisposed will worsen. As a result, concentration, memory, adequacy of emotional reactions, prolonged weakness, tearfulness and various somatic reactions sharply deteriorate: tachycardia, increased blood pressure, etc. During this period, the brain experiences severe exhaustion and, first of all, a disruption of the biochemical reactions of the brain occurs (and it is IMPOSSIBLE to force it to work adequately through willpower!): after energy exhaustion, biochemical exhaustion occurs! And he needs to be treated! Do not believe those who say that everything can be corrected with psychotherapy and rest; most often, support with drugs that improve brain metabolism is already needed!
It is best to do IV injections, but if this is not possible, then take drugs or do IM injections: Cerebrolysin, Cortexin, Cytoflavin, Cogitum, Cocarnit, Noben, Lecithin, Gingobiloba, Mexidol, Actovegin, Semax, Selang, Dimephosphone, vitamin D3, GABA or Glycine, omega-3, etc. - all regimens must be drawn up by a doctor!!!
As neurologists say: “Until you support the depleted brain with plastic materials, there will be no improvement.” And the listed drugs are plastic materials!!
Also: “Steam your arms and legs - it improves blood flow great!!!” .
And be sure to boost your protein intake; if you can’t eat protein, drink amino acid cocktails! The brain needs peptides!!! This is its structure!!
Look at the health triad:
everything is interconnected, when emotions are depleted -> problems begin with biochemistry - metabolism in one or another organ - > and then a structural disorder begins, often irreversible (this is the acquisition of chronic pathologies), previously in neurology it was called - Cerebroasthenia. Somatic problems against the background of central nervous system disorders.
And the psychotherapist has never bothered anyone. BUT already in the period after biochemical support.
How to deal with the effects of stress?
Learn the correct response to a stressful situation so that the body's reaction to stress is minimal. Some people are quite calm due to their temperament. But very emotional people who react sharply to the slightest shock in life should visit a psychologist
or psychotherapist.
The specialist will teach you how to manage your reaction to life’s collisions. In addition, get out of stress correctly if it does occur. If it is possible to perform physical exercises
immediately after a stressful situation, the body mobilized to fight will receive the necessary release. It’s hard to imagine an office worker who, after being scolded by management, left the office and went for a run. But there is always the possibility of some kind of physical activity - run up the stairs, do a few push-ups or pull-ups. After this, the body's reaction to stress will be much easier.
Signs of long-term stress
Stress becomes dangerous when exhaustion sets in. The psyche cannot cope with the emotional load, and as a result, diseases and conditions called psychosomatic arise. It is no longer the mood that suffers, but vital organs and systems.
Critical illness due to stress is much more serious than just a bad mood
How to recognize mental exhaustion:
- The structure of sleep is disrupted: a person sleeps restlessly at night or wakes up tired, no matter how many hours he sleeps;
- Eating disorders may occur: both overeating and starvation;
- Constant fatigue, loss of strength, feelings of anxiety and hopelessness appear;
- Apathy is observed - a person loses interest in life, becomes inhibited, takes a long time to formulate thoughts, loses the thread of the conversation;
- Frequent headaches, dizziness, and blood pressure may increase.
Methods for restoring the body after stress
Restoration of the body
It starts with eliminating the causes of stress. Necessary:
- Reduce stress on the psyche - without this, other measures are useless. If it is not yet possible to eliminate the cause of stress, you should consult a psychotherapist - choose a tactic that compensates for the stress on the psyche;
- Establish a daily routine - 7-8 hours of sleep are required, otherwise the body will not have the opportunity to restore resources;
- Relieve yourself of some of your routine worries - work, household or family (this will free up time for rest and health care);
- Things that make time pass unnoticed help restore a calm mood - absolutely anything, from replanting indoor plants to studying interest rates on deposits;
- Choose gentle physical activities - they distract from unpleasant thoughts and train the body, including the heart muscle.
Yoga, meditation or other spiritual practices will help you stop the flow of negative thoughts that exhaust you
How to support your heart
Since the heart suffers more than other organs, it requires special attention. Whenever possible, eliminate risk factors that exacerbate the effects of stress.
If you cannot cope with your health problems on your own, consult a doctor.
You may need to undergo testing. Based on the diagnostic results, the specialist will prescribe medications to support the heart: medications to lower blood pressure, multivitamins with microelements, medications with potassium and magnesium.
The whole problem is in the stool
For our ancestors, stress in most cases was caused by a collision with some kind of literal danger: a hostile tribe or a predatory animal. Therefore, first of all, the processes in the body launched at this moment are aimed at ensuring that a person can escape from danger or fight until victory, saving his life. This reaction is known to everyone as “fight or flight”. And to this day, these remain the main strategies of our body in a stressful, that is, potentially dangerous, situation. This is why when a person is nervous, it is very difficult for him to sit still. All body systems are on edge and ready for an immediate reaction. After a person has escaped or defended himself in battle, relaxation and restoration of strength occurs. But in modern conditions we do not run away and do not fight. There are often situations when we have to silently swallow all our dissatisfaction, without giving an outlet to stress. And then he “tears” us from the inside.
Therefore, the best way to calm down and prevent stress from having a negative impact on the body is to get up from a chair, sofa, armchair and walk, jog, squat, jump, and so on. Anything to end the hit and run cycle. Then you can relax and recuperate. Regular exercise or at least walking is a great way to prevent stress from causing a myocardial infarction.
