In today's environment, people are constantly exposed to stress, which inevitably leads to changes in the levels of various hormones in the blood, especially glucocorticoids, catecholamines, growth hormone and prolactin.
Partly these hormonal fluctuations are beneficial and designed to protect the human body, but sometimes they can cause serious endocrinological disorders. Read on estet-portal.com which hormones are responsible for the response to stress, and how changes in their levels affect the human body.
The main stress hormones and their role in maintaining homeostasis
In response to stress, there is an increase in the secretion of a number of hormones, including glucocorticoids, catecholamines, growth hormone, etc., the effect of which is to mobilize energy reserves and adapt to a stressful situation.
Activation of the pituitary-adrenal system is a prominent survival-promoting neuroendocrine response to stress. Its stimulation is associated with the release of corticotropin-releasing factor and the secretion of catecholamines.
This results in:
• increased cardiac output;
• skeletal muscle blood flow;
• sodium retention;
• decreased intestinal motility;
• skin vasoconstriction;
• increased glucose levels;
• behavioral activation.
Acute stress also results in a rapid release of vasopressin from the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus along with corticotropin-releasing hormone. In this case, vasopressin can stimulate the secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone, enhancing the action of corticotropin-releasing hormone.
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Decreased secretion of hormones under stress
When stress occurs, suppression of circulating gonadotropins and gonadal steroid hormones, which leads to disruption of the normal menstrual cycle. Prolonged exposure to stress can lead to deterioration and even loss of reproductive function.
Under the influence of stress, thyroid function is suppressed, T3 and T4 levels decrease.
During stress, the level of insulin can also decrease, which is associated with an increase in the secretion of its antagonist hormones.
HGH levels rise during times of physical stress. However, under psychological stress, its activation is rare.
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The effects of stress on the body
Stress is an integral part of our life, therefore, the reaction to it should not provoke pathological changes in the body.
However, unfortunately, it is the impact of this factor that can lead to the development of:
• diabetes;
• obesity. Mental stress leads to chronic activation of the neuroendocrine system. Cortisol promotes fat storage, causing increased appetite and food intake;
• gonadal dysfunction.
In women, stress can lead to impaired ovulation, amenorrhea and menstrual irregularities, and in men it can cause a decrease in sperm count and decrease in their motility.
Since in today's world every person faces stress on a daily basis, it is important for a doctor to understand the main mechanisms of response to the effects of this negative factor. Timely intervention of a specialist allows you to break the vicious circle of pathological changes, and save the most important thing for the patient - his health.
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