Body Response to Stress and Crisis (Body Syndrome)

Subject: Medical and Surgical Nursing I (Theory)

Overview

The short-term and long-term responses of the body to stress are referred to as general adaptation syndrome, or GAS. Three stages make up the general adaption syndrome: the alert stage, the resistance stage, and the tiredness stage. A person enters the first phase of the GAS when they are initially faced with a stressor, or something that causes stress. The Alarm Phase is the name of the initial stage. We reach the Resistance Phase, the second phase of the GAS, if the stressor continues for several hours or longer. Last but not least, exhausion happens when a person can no longer adjust to internal and external environmental demands.

General Adaptation Syndrome

The short-term and long-term responses of the body to stress are referred to as general adaptation syndrome, or GAS.

The overall biological reaction suppresses bodily functions that are not necessary for survival in favor of protecting the organism against physical, psychological, and other types of harm. Three stages make up the general adaption syndrome: the alert stage, the resistance stage, and the tiredness stage.

Alarm Reaction

A person enters the first phase of the GAS when they are initially faced with a stressor, or something that causes stress. The Alarm Phase is the name of the initial stage. Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, is one of many biochemical messengers released during this immediate and involuntary phase.

Numerous changes are triggered by these biochemicals, including

An increase in blood glucose, also known as blood sugar. You are aware that consuming a lot of soft drinks with added sugar can give you an energy boost. By rapidly releasing a large amount of sugar into the bloodstream from its energy reserves, your body makes an effort to duplicate this naturally. This energy source is essential during stressful situations so that you can remain mentally aware and be prepared to move, run, or fight at any time.
An increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate to ensure that your vital organs and muscles receive plenty of oxygen and blood. Skeletal muscles include the muscles that help you run (like your quads) and fight (like your triceps).
A simultaneous reduction in blood flow to the digestive system and skin because these organs are unimportant during a fight-or-flight response, such as that experienced during the alarm stage. The last thing your body wants to do while you're under pressure is give critical resources, like the blood that is loaded with oxygen and sugar, to organs that won't instantly assist you in fending off or escaping a stressor. What will you do—eat a picnic and digest your meal as a bear charges at you? I don't believe so. And your body doesn't either.

During the alert phase, a person may also psychologically feel dread, rage, anxiety, panic, and restlessness.

Stage of Resistance

Often, the alert phase is sufficient to help us get through whatever initially stressed us out. The Resistance Phase, the second phase of the GAS, however, begins if the stressor continues for several hours or longer. Too much time spent in the tense alarm phase is not good for our body's normal and ideal health and performance. As a result, those who are in the resistance stage attempt to regain a sense of normalcy by calming down, denying the issue, suppressing their emotions, and isolating themselves.

At this time, a person's physiological self also goes through some significant changes. When resistance is present:

Other biochemicals and steroid hormones, such as glucocorticoids, start to become significant. They trigger processes like fat breakdown so that it can be used as an energy source during prolonged stress.
Additionally, these biochemicals increase and maintain blood sugar levels, especially while the nervous system is being powered.

The resistance phase can last for weeks or even months if there are sufficient fat reserves, which helps to explain why people can endure a severe stressor like famine for so long.

Obviously, there are drawbacks to the overuse of glucocorticoids. Long-term exposure to excessive levels of these stress hormones slows wound healing and increases the risk of illness.

Stage of Exhaustion

When a person can no longer adjust to internal and external environmental pressures, it happens. One feels exhausted and lacks the energy to deal with the stressor any longer because the organism has used up most of its reserve. The body can no longer maintain homeostatic balance if the stressor is too strong or persists.

References

apa.org › Psychology Help Center
books.google.com/books?isbn=9712352447
quizlet.com/110235858/patho-exam-4-endocrine-flash-cards/
study.com/academy/lesson/general-adaptation-syndrome-definition-phases-changes.html
study.com/academy/lesson/alarm-stage-of-stress-definition-lesson-quiz.html

Things to remember

The short-term and long-term responses of the body to stress are referred to as general adaptation syndrome, or GAS.
During the alert phase, a person may also psychologically feel dread, rage, anxiety, panic, and restlessness.
We go into the Resistance Phase if the stressor lasts for many hours or more.
If the stressor is too great or continues, the body can no longer maintain or restore homeostasis.

Questions and Answers

Define GAS.

GAS, or general adaptation syndrome, is a term used to describe the body's short- and long-term response to stress.

The general body response defends bodily functions that protect the organism from psychological and physical harm and suppresses functions that are not necessary for survival. The general adaptation syndrome is divided into three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

Explain the stages of GAS.

Alarm Reaction:

A person enters the first phase of the GAS when they are initially faced with a stressor, or something that causes stress. The Alarm Phase is the name of the initial stage.

Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, is one of many biochemical messengers released during this immediate and involuntary phase.

Many changes are brought about by these biochemicals, including:

An increase of blood sugar, a.k.a. blood glucose. You know that drinking tons of sugar-laced soft drinks give you an energy rush. Your body tries to mimic this naturally by quickly releasing lots of sugar into the bloodstream from its energy stores. This energy supply is necessary during times of stress so you stay mentally alert and are ready to move, run, or fight at a moment's notice.
An increase in blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate so you get lots of oxygen and blood delivered to your important organs and muscles - muscles like skeletal muscles, the muscles that help you run, like your quads, and fight, like your triceps.
A concurrent decrease in blood flow to the skin and digestive organs because they're irrelevant in a fight or flight response, such as that found during the alarm stage. The last thing your body wants to do when under duress is give precious resources, like the blood that's filled with oxygen and sugar, to organs that will not help you immediately fight off a stressor or flee from it. What are you going to do, eat a picnic and digest some food while a bear is charging at you? I don't think so! And neither does your body.

Psychologically speaking, a person may also experience fear, anger, anxiety, panic, and restlessness during the alarm phase.

Stage of Resistance:

Often, the alert phase is sufficient to help us get through whatever initially freaked us out. The Resistance Phase, the second phase of the GAS, however, begins if the stressor continues for several hours or longer.

Too much time spent in the tense alert phase is not good for our body's normal and ideal health and performance. As a result, those who are in the resistance stage attempt to regain a feeling of normalcy by calming down, denying the issue, suppressing their emotions, and isolating themselves.

A person's physiological self also undergoes some important modifications at this time. During the resistance phase:

Glucocorticoids, which are steroid hormones, as well as other biochemicals, begin to play an important role. They cause things like the breakdown of fat so that this fat can be used as a source of energy during long periods of stress.
These biochemicals also elevate and stabilize the levels of blood sugar, particularly in order to power the nervous system.

The resistance phase can last for weeks or even months if there are sufficient fat reserves, which helps to explain why humans can endure a severe stressor like famine for so long.