Stress-induced changes in a body’s vital functions. Review

Abstract

The modern scientific literature describes the results of numerous studies, based on which it was found that any stressful situation causes a complex of changes in life processes. At the same time, long-term human interaction with stressors becomes a factor in the etiology and pathogenesis of many diseases.The aim of the work was to analyse the impact of stress on the development of multilevel adaptation response and its consequences for humans by analysing the literature, which discusses the body’s response to any adverse effects.Materials and methods. The main direction of achieving the goal of the work was the collection, study and analysis of domestic and foreign literature using databases PubMed, Web of Science, Scientific Periodicals of Ukraine, catalogues and funds of the National Scientific Medical Library of Ukraine.Results. The body’s stress response is a process that occurs at the cellular, tissue and systemic levels, associated with the activation of stress system mediators (adrenocorticotropic hormone, glucocorticoids and catecholamines). At moderate increase in secretion of these mediators the reaction-response of an organism and, accordingly, adaptation is mobilized. At chronic stress there are changes of physiological functions of all bodies and systems with disturbance of compensatory mechanisms of adaptation of an organism to stress. Under conditions of prolonged stress, the body’s response from the general adaptation syndrome becomes a factor in pathogenesis. The role of stress as a factor in the etiology and pathogenesis of ulcerative lesions of the gastric mucosa, duodenum has been proved. There is no doubt that prolonged stress is a factor complicating the course of many diseases — infectious, inflammatory, neuropsychiatric. That is why the problem of stress affection on the body and its role in the development of various forms of pathology is one of the leading problems of modern society and is directly involved in the professional activities of specialists in various areas.Conclusions. The physiological meaning of the stress response is the emergency mobilization of energy and structural resources of the body and the conditions for the implementation of reactions aimed at maintaining homeostasis in extreme situations.