“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
- Viktor Frankl
We continue our fascinating exploration on diabetes in a much larger context, taking into account the very big and real problem to all of us – hypoglycemia and low blood sugar. In diabetes, this happens for years before the system wears down, and periods of low blood sugar set events in motion which contribute to all chronic diseases – cancer, heart disease, stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, hormonal imbalances like autoimmune hashimoto’s, adrenal insufficiencies, low testosterone, miscarriages, fertility problems, allergies, and much more. Stay tuned folks, and stay right here on EHR!
What are the signs your body is giving you? Can you learn to interpret the body’s language and respond accordingly? This is the difference between healthy adaptation to stress and mal-adaptation to stress. What’s the difference between the two? In the first, some situation appears that irritates or injures the body and your body responds in a way that further damage is minimized. This depends a lot on the nature of the insult, and the reserves your body has to meet that insult. Remember the fundamental health equation here
You + Your Environment = Your State of Health/Your ability to respond to stress
General Adaptation Syndrome
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/general+adaptation+syndrome
Definition
General adaptation syndrome, or GAS, is a term used to describe the body's short-term and long-term reactions to stress.
Stressors in humans include such physical stressors as starvation, being hit by a car, or suffering through severe weather. Additionally, humans can suffer such emotional or mental stressors as the loss of a loved one, the inability to solve a problem, or even having a difficult day at work.
Description
Originally described by Hans Selye (1907–1982), an Austrian-born physician who emigrated to Canada in 1939, the general adaptation syndrome represents a three-stage reaction to stress. Selye explained his choice of terminology as follows: "I call this syndrome general because it is produced only by agents which have a general effect upon large portions of the body. I call it adaptive because it stimulates defense…. I call it a syndrome because its individual manifestations are coordinated and even partly dependent upon each other."
Selye thought that the general adaptation syndrome involved two major systems of the body, the nervous system and the endocrine (or hormonal) system. He then went on to outline what he considered as three distinctive stages in the syndrome's evolution. He called these stages the alarm reaction (AR), the stage of resistance (SR), and the stage of exhaustion (SE).
He explained about hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis) system which prepares the body to cope with stress.
Selye also explained about a local adaptation syndrome which refers to the inflammatory response and repair processes occur at the local site of tissue injury as in small, topical injuries, such as contact dermatitis which may lead to GAS if the local injury is severe enough.
Stage 1: alarm reaction (ar)
The first stage of the general adaptation stage, the alarm reaction, is the immediate reaction to a stressor. In the initial phase of stress, humans exhibit a "fight or flight" response, which prepares the body for physical activity. However, this initial response can also decrease the effectiveness of the immune system, making persons more susceptible to illness during this phase.
- Upon encountering a stressor, body reacts with “fight-or-flight” response and sympathetic nervous system is activated.
- Hormones such as cortisol and adrenalin released into the bloodstream to meet the threat or danger.
- The body’s resources now mobilized.
Stage 2: stage of resistance (sr)
Stage 2 might also be named the stage of adaptation, instead of the stage of resistance. During this phase, if the stress continues, the body adapts to the stressors it is exposed to. Changes at many levels take place in order to reduce the effect of the stressor. For example, if the stressor is starvation (possibly due to anorexia), the person might experienced a reduced desire for physical activity to conserve energy, and the absorption of nutrients from food might be maximized.
- Parasympathetic nervous system returns many physiological functions to normal levels while body focuses resources against the stressor.
- Blood glucose levels remain high, cortisol and adrenalin continue to circulate at elevated levels, but outward appearance of organism seems normal.
- Increase HR, BP, breathing
- Body remains on red alert.
Stage 3: stage of exhaustion (se)
At this stage, the stress has continued for some time. The body's resistance to the stress may gradually be reduced, or may collapse quickly. Generally, this means the immune system, and the body's ability to resist disease, may be almost totally eliminated. Patients who experience long-term stress may succumb to heart attacks or severe infection due to their reduced immunity. For example, a person with a stressful job may experience long-term stress that might lead to high blood pressure and an eventual heart attack.
- If stressor continues beyond body’s capacity, organism exhausts resources and becomes susceptible to disease and death.
Selye himself recommended an approach to stress that he described as "living wisely in accordance with natural laws." In his now-classic book The Stress of Life (1956), he discussed the following as important dimensions of living wisely:
- Adopting an attitude of gratitude toward life rather than seeking revenge for injuries or slights.
- Acting toward others from altruistic rather than self-centered motives.
- Retaining a capacity for wonder and delight in the genuinely good and beautiful things in life.
- Finding a purpose for one's life and expressing one's individuality in fulfilling that purpose.
- Keeping a healthy sense of modesty about one's goals or achievements.