Hyperprolactinemia (increased prolactin) and the role of the stress hormone in the body. Hormonal tests: cortisol, prolactin and protein

The stress state is caused by various life events, whether it be personal problems or difficulties of an external nature, for example, unemployment. In any difficult situation, biochemical processes occur in the body, and with a long traumatic experience, they can affect human health. During stressful moments, many systems are involved, immune, digestive, genitourinary and other functional areas of the body are involved in mobilization. At the same time, the most active system is the endocrine sphere, it is under its control that the so-called stress hormone is located. Usually, cortisol is meant by it, but other changes under the influence of a strong experience cannot be ignored.

Biochemical processes of stress
How does the body work during stressful experiences? Doctors say that a long-term traumatic factor causes various physiological changes, endocrine tissues are most susceptible to various aggressors. Consider the chain of biochemical changes in the body.

At the first sign of danger, adrenaline and norepinephrine are produced in the adrenal glands. Adrenaline rises with anxiety, shock, fear. Entering the bloodstream, it increases the heartbeat, dilates the pupils, and also begins work on adapting the body to stress. But its prolonged exposure depletes the body's defenses. Norepinephrine is released in any shock situations, its action is associated with an increase in blood pressure. Adrenaline during stress is considered a hormone of fear, and norepinephrine, on the contrary, rage. Without the production of these hormones, the body becomes unprotected against the influence of stressful situations.
Another stress hormone is cortisol. Its increase occurs when extreme situations or intense physical activity. In small doses, cortisol does not have a special effect on the functioning of the body, but its long-term accumulation causes the development of depression, there is a craving for fatty foods and sweet foods. No wonder cortisol is associated with weight gain.
It is impossible to exclude from the biochemical chain an important hormone that especially affects women - this is prolactin. In a situation of severe stress and depression, prolactin is intensely secreted, which leads to metabolic disorders.
Biochemical processes cause certain mechanisms that adapt a person to danger. At the same time, stress hormones can affect the functioning of the body. Let's take a closer look at their impact. How do prolactin and cortisol affect health?

cortisol
Cortisol is necessary for the correct functioning of the body, it regulates the balance of sugar, the metabolism of glucose and insulin. But the stressful effect increases its norm, in this case there is a critical effect of the hormone.

What happens when cortisol is too high?

High blood pressure.
Decreased thyroid function.
Hyperglycemia.
Brittleness of the bones.
Decreased immunity.
Destruction of tissues.
This effect is manifested in chronic stress, and, accordingly, a long-term increase in the hormone.
Another negative effect of the stress hormone is the appearance of fat deposits in the waist area. This is due to the appearance of cravings for sweet and fatty foods. If stress has passed into a chronic phase, then a vicious circle is obtained. Signals are given to the body that it needs to store fat for energy reserves. Sometimes it is cortisol and its high levels that prevent you from losing weight.

To avoid the above problems, you need to learn how to cope with stress. Cortisol decreases in a calm environment, in the absence of prolonged experiences. A good emotional background will allow you to maintain the hormone at the required level.

Prolactin
Prolactin is associated with the function of childbearing, and also affects metabolism. If prolactin is elevated, then its excess leads to a violation of ovulation, the absence of pregnancy, it can cause mastopathy, adenoma and fibrosis.

What causes this hormone to rise? The most important source is the stress factor. Even the usual excitement before exams causes a short-term increase in a hormone such as prolactin. In addition to stress, the reasons for the increase include:

Taking certain medications.
radioactive radiation.
Operations on the mammary glands.
Chronic insufficiency of the liver and kidneys.
Endocrine diseases.
What if prolactin is low? The lower level is found in rare cases. If the body is healthy, then the increase in the hormone is associated with pregnancy, emotional and physical overload. To find out about the increase in the norm, you should pass an analysis to determine it. After that, the causes are determined, and treatment is also prescribed.

If prolactin is produced during prolonged depression, then the consequences for the body can be critical. The hormone is very mobile, so it is difficult to influence its concentration. It is important to observe a calm regime, nervous overload causes strong fluctuations in the stress hormone. Prolactin and its level should be monitored when planning pregnancy.

It should be noted that a person needs the presence of hormones in the body. Cortisol, prolactin and adrenaline prepare the body to fight and adapt. But if the traumatic factor drags on, then their negative impact begins.
Hyperprolactinemia is a condition that results from increased production of the hormone prolactin. It is synthesized in the anterior pituitary gland and has a great influence on reproductive function.

This hormone, together with progesterone, supports the functioning of the corpus luteum of the ovary and is actively involved in the process of bearing the fetus during pregnancy.

If prolactin is elevated, the most common symptoms of this condition are headaches and decreased libido.

Prolonged hyperprolactinemia leads to a decrease in bone density and the development of osteoporosis. In patients, there is an increased synthesis of androgens and, as a result, the development of hirsutism (excessive male-type hair growth), weight increases, mastopathy develops, sleep disturbance occurs, and depression occurs.

One of the main symptoms of hyperprolactinemia is menstrual irregularities. It becomes irregular or disappears completely.

Few people know that prolactin is also produced in the body of a man. An increase in the synthesis of this hormone can lead to prostate diseases and the development of erectile dysfunction.

Causes of hyperprolactinemia
Increased prolactin synthesis can have both physiological and pathological origins.

In healthy people, hyperprolactinemia can occur with lack of sleep, physical overstrain, in women during lactation, and so on.

The level of the hormone can increase even with a massage of the cervical part of the spinal column, since it is there that the nerve endings that affect the synthesis of prolactin are located.

A short-term increase in prolactin levels can be observed during stress caused, for example, by a gynecological examination or blood test.

Pathological hyperprolactinemia can occur due to the development of such serious diseases as tuberculosis, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), liver or kidney failure, pituitary tumor.

The synthesis of prolactin increases with the intake of certain medicines(estrogens, contraceptive and antiemetic pills, opiates, antipsychotics, antihypertensives), so at the doctor's appointment you need to tell him about all the drugs you take.

Hyperprolactinemia is observed after radiation exposure, with the syndrome of the "empty" Turkish saddle (the place where the pituitary gland is located), after surgery on the mammary glands.

Source: AltraVita IVF Clinic

Prolactin and cortisol are stress hormones

Particular interest in the problem of stress resistance and the emergence of stress is due to the recent expansion of the sphere of activity of a modern person, which often proceeds in quite a short time. extreme conditions and accompanied by a constant increase in mental and mental stress and a decrease in the share of physical labor.

Created by scientific and technological progress and civilization, hypokinesia (limitation of motor activity) and hypodynamia (reduction of power loads) not only negatively affect the respiratory, circulatory, musculoskeletal system, metabolism, but also certainly lead to a decrease in the body's reactivity and, as a result - development of stress.

The general concept of stress denotes a strong adverse and negative effect on the body, as well as the psychological and physiological reaction of a person of various kinds to the action of an aggressor (stressor).

In morphological and functional terms, stress is accompanied by a general adaptation syndrome that has certain stages:

alarm reaction - the general resistance of the body decreases (“shock”), after which defense mechanisms are activated;
stage of resistance (resistance) - based on the stress of functioning of all systems, the maximum adaptation of the body to new conditions is achieved;
the period of exhaustion is manifested by the insolvency of protective mechanisms, as a result of which the violation of the interaction and coordination of vital functions increases.
One of the criteria for the severity of stress is the severity of the signs (symptoms) of this condition, namely:

physiological manifestations - migraine (headaches), periodic increase in blood pressure, pain in the chest, heart, lower back or back, redness of the skin, atopic dermatitis, eczema, other skin diseases, development of stomach ulcers;
psychological reactions - loss of appetite, irritability, decreased interest in what is happening, inability to concentrate, increased excitability, expectation of pain or possible troubles, depression.
Stressful condition can be caused by individual factors related to events in personal life, work, emergencies. In this case, the body reacts with the same biochemical changes aimed at repaying the tension that has arisen.

The main systems that implement stressful changes in the body are the pituitary-hypothalamic-adrenal and sympathoadrenal systems, which are under the control of the higher parts of the brain and hypothalamus, the intensive functioning of which is accompanied by the release of various hormonal substances called stress hormones. They, by mobilizing the physical resources of the body, help him cope with the super-task that has arisen, which led to stress.

The main stress hormones and their features
During periods of stress, the level of activity in the body changes. functional systems- cardiovascular, immune, genitourinary, digestive, etc. Therefore, leading role Stress hormones play a role in maintaining this new status. The adrenal glands are the most active endocrine glands.

The adrenal cortex secretes four main groups of steroid stress hormones into the blood:

glucocorticoids (corticosterone, cortisol) - the hormone cortisol is produced in emergency or stressful situations, with a lack of nutrition and strong physical exertion. Once released, cortisol has a lasting effect, but persistently elevated levels can lead to memory impairment and depression. Cortisol reaches its maximum content in the blood serum in the morning and lower at night. V large quantities cortisol is produced during chronic overexertion, which can cause cravings for sugary or fatty foods. By its action, cortisol signals the body about the need to “deposit fat” in order to create an energy reserve in the “fight against the enemy”. Cortisol is undoubtedly one of the most important hormones, but under chronic stress, such a hormone is produced in much larger quantities than is necessary and that is when it becomes harmful. This hormone in excess can have a number of adverse effects: high blood pressure, decreased immunity, increased abdominal fat, decreased muscle tissue, and hyperglycemia. This usually results in big problems associated with an increase in cholesterol levels, the appearance of diabetes, heart attack or stroke. Therefore, cortisol has also received the nickname "hormone of death";
mineralocortiokida (aldosterone) - a hormone necessary for normal operation kidneys, promote reabsorption (reabsorption), which leads to water retention in the body and the appearance of numerous edema;
androgens (sex hormone, estrogens) - the higher the level of estrogen in a person's blood, the more resistant he is to pain. This is due to an increase in the pain threshold;
catecholamines (adrenaline, norepinephrine, dopamine) - belong to the hormones of the adrenal medulla and are biologically active substances. Of these, norepinephrine and adrenaline are produced not only nervous tissues, but also the medulla. Their effects in the human body are somewhat different, since in humans epinephrine is about 80%, and norepinephrine is only 20%. Adrenaline has a powerful and intense effect, but wears off quickly compared to cortisol, so adrenaline is often involved in severe short-term anxiety and panic situations. Adrenaline in the blood increases already in the first moments of exposure to a stressor and, according to many scientists, can contribute to the development of cancer.
In addition to the adrenal glands, the stress hormone that increases metabolism, accelerates chemical reactions and creates increased alertness is also produced by the thyroid gland (thyroxine, triiodothyronine) and the anterior pituitary gland (prolactin, growth hormone, ACTH, follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormone).

of great importance, especially for female body, has the hormone prolactin, which maintains the corpus luteum and controls the formation of progesterone. Under stress, it is prolactin that has the strongest effect on the metabolism and mechanisms of water regulation in the body. In a state of depression, prolactin is produced uncontrollably and can lead to disastrous consequences, especially in cases where there is a predisposition in the body for the development of cancer cells.

Prolactin - a mobile hormone, since its concentration is easy to influence. At the same time, prolactin, the formation of which is pulsatile and increases during sleep, may depend on the intake of certain medications (opioid analgesics, antidepressants, cocaine, estrogens, etc.) or oral contraceptives. Prolactin plays a special role in the production of milk in the mother during lactation. To keep prolactin normal, it is important to observe the regime of rest and work, as well as avoid stress or try to form a healthy and correct reaction to stressful situations.

All of these stress hormones (especially cortisol, prolactin, and adrenaline) prepare the body for challenging situations through specific mechanisms, including raising blood sugar or blood pressure to fuel the muscles and brain. Thus, causing feelings of panic and fear, as well as making a person ready to confront any threat or run away from it.

How stress hormones affect the body
In response to a stressful situation, a state of confusion and anxiety arises in the human body, which are preparations for action. Information about possible anxiety enters the brain, where it is recorded as nerve impulses, and then transmitted through the nerve endings to the appropriate organs. As a result, a huge amount of stress hormones are released into the blood, which are carried through the vessels of the whole body.

With physical stress, predominantly norepinephrine is released, and with mental stress (rage, fear, anxiety) - most often adrenaline. Both hormones have a certain effect, which is as follows:

norepinephrine causes an increase in diastolic and systolic pressure without accelerating heart rate, increases the intensity of heart contractions, inhibits diuresis, due to vasoconstriction of the kidneys, retains sodium ions in the blood, reduces the secretory activity of the stomach, increases salivation, and also helps to relax the smooth muscles of the intestine;
epinephrine is an antidiuretic and has antispasmodic and bronchodilatory effects. Unlike other hormones, adrenaline can cause pupillary dilation and changes in carbon metabolism. Adrenaline by its influence reflexively reduces the amplitude and frequency of respiration, the release of potassium and sodium ions in the urine, relaxes the walls of organs, inhibits digestive secretion and motor activity of the stomach, and also increases the contractility of the skeletal muscles. Adrenaline is considered one of the most active natural stimulants of all body systems.
Cortisol and corticosterone affect body systems by:

conversion of amino acids into glucose in the muscles in order to provide the body with additional energy and relieve tension;
regulation of blood pressure and insulin metabolism;
control of blood sugar balance;
anti-inflammatory effects due to a decrease in the permeability of the vascular walls, inhibition of inflammatory mediators and inhibition of other mechanisms that cause inflammatory reactions;
immunoregulatory effects - cortisol inhibits the activity of lymphocytes and allergens.
In parallel, the hormone cortisol can adversely affect the functioning of the brain as a whole, destroying the neurons located in the hippocampus.

Quite a few important role also plays prolactin, which has a metabolic and anabolic effect that affects metabolic processes and accelerates protein synthesis. In addition, prolactin has an immunoregulatory effect, can affect behavioral responses and is involved in the regulation of water-salt metabolism and mental functions. By its influence, prolactin is closely related to the female reproductive panel.

Stress hormones are secreted not only during periods of adverse conditions or situations. In the normal state, they are a necessary component of endocrine regulation. However, their concentration in the blood during stress exposure increases many times over. At the same time, muscles are activated, and instant breakdown of carbohydrates and proteins occurs.

• IF YOU CANNOT FIND A SOLUTION TO YOUR SITUATION WITH THE HELP OF THIS ARTICLE, SIGN UP FOR A CONSULTATION AND WE WILL FIND A SOLUTION TOGETHER

  • • THIS IS A DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTER OF THE "UNHAPPY" PERSON

      Its 2 main problems: 1) chronic dissatisfaction of needs, 2) the inability to direct his anger outward, restraining him, and with it restraining all warm feelings, every year makes him more and more desperate: no matter what he does, it does not get better, on the contrary, only worse. The reason is that he does a lot, but not that. If nothing is done, then, over time, either the person will “burn out at work”, loading himself more and more - until he is completely exhausted; or his own Self will be emptied and impoverished, unbearable self-hatred will appear, a refusal to take care of oneself, in the long term - even self-hygiene. A person becomes like a house from which the bailiffs took out the furniture. Against the background of hopelessness, despair and exhaustion , energy even for thinking. Complete loss of the ability to love. He wants to live, but begins to die: sleep is disturbed, metabolism is disturbed ... It is difficult to understand what he lacks precisely because we are not talking about the deprivation of possession of someone or something.

      On the contrary, he has the possession of deprivation, and he is not able to understand what he is deprived of. Lost is his own I. It is unbearably painful and empty for him: and he cannot even put it into words. This is neurotic depression.. Everything can be prevented, not brought to such a result.If you recognize yourself in the description and want to change something, you urgently need to learn two things: 1. Learn the following text by heart and repeat it all the time until you can use the results of these new beliefs:

      • I am entitled to needs. I am, and I am me.
      • I have the right to need and satisfy needs.
      • I have the right to ask for satisfaction, the right to get what I need.
      • I have the right to crave love and love others.
      • I have the right to a decent organization of life.
      • I have the right to express dissatisfaction.
      • I have a right to regret and sympathy.
      • ... by birthright.
      • I may get rejected. I can be alone.
      • I'll take care of myself anyway.

      I want to draw the attention of my readers to the fact that the task of "learning the text" is not an end in itself. Auto-training by itself will not give any sustainable results. It is important to live each phrase, to feel it, to find its confirmation in life. It is important that a person wants to believe that the world can be arranged somehow differently, and not just the way he used to imagine it to himself. That it depends on him, on his ideas about the world and about himself in this world, how he will live this life. And these phrases are just an occasion for reflection, reflection and search for one's own, new "truths".

      2. Learn to direct aggression to the one to whom it is actually addressed.

      …then it will be possible to experience and express warm feelings to people. Realize that anger is not destructive and can be presented.

      WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS NOT ENOUGH FOR A PERSON TO BECOME HAPPY?

      YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR A CONSULTATION FROM THIS LINK:

      FOR K EVERY “NEGATIVE EMOTION” IS A NEED OR DESIRE, THE SATISFACTION OF WHICH IS THE KEY TO CHANGE IN LIFE…

      TO SEARCH THESE TREASURES I INVITE YOU TO MY CONSULTATION:

      YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR A CONSULTATION FROM THIS LINK:

      Psychosomatic diseases (it will be more correct) are those disorders in our body, which are based on psychological causes. psychological causes are our reactions to traumatic (difficult) life events, our thoughts, feelings, emotions that do not find timely, correct expression for a particular person.

Any stress factors provoke biochemical reactions in the body, which, with prolonged exposure, can cause negative consequences for human health. Many systems are affected, but the most important is the endocrine system, as it controls the activity of stress hormones. The most commonly mentioned stress hormone is cortisol.

The stress hormone cortisol is the most dangerous element that affects a person during a period of prolonged stress. It alerts the body, thus ensuring the reaction of the body to danger. This property is actively used by athletes who need to spur the work of muscles and systems. In the future, cortisol is excreted from the body, but with prolonged stress, it is produced in large volumes and negatively affects health.

Its impact is expressed as follows:

• increased drowsiness;
• weakness;
• unwillingness to do something;
• desire to seize stress with sweets;
• memory deterioration.

The danger of cortisol lies in the fact that it suppresses the production of estrogen, which leads to premature aging of the body. The stress hormone reduces immunity and increases blood pressure, leads to frequent hypoglycemia and the deposition of fat mass in the abdomen, reducing muscle mass which is especially risky for athletes. As a result, there is a high likelihood of such chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes.

For athletes, it is also undesirable to exceed this hormone in the sense that its excess in the body increases bone fragility and provokes tissue destruction. High levels of cortisol interfere with weight loss.

The hormone cortisol important element, which is formed as a result of biochemical processes in the body during stress, but in excess it negatively affects the functioning of all organs.

Catecholamines

The stress-induced catecholamine hormones include adrenaline, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These are hormones of the adrenal medulla - biologically active substances that differ in the effects of exposure. Adrenaline comes first, it is produced immediately after the onset of the stressor, and is the most powerful and active substance.

Adrenalin

A stress hormone is produced in case of fright or shock, mainly with the mental nature of stress. When it enters the bloodstream, it helps to dilate the pupils, increase the heartbeat, that is, under its influence, the body enhances protection. But with its prolonged influence, the protective forces are depleted. Experts call it a cancer-causing hormone.

The effect of adrenaline is used in training, it allows you to lose weight, because it tends to increase metabolism. But prolonged hunger strikes and strenuous training deplete the body. The action of adrenaline lasts five minutes, there are so-called adrenaline addicts who are specifically involved in extreme sports. This sooner or later leads to problems with the heart and blood vessels. At the same time, its deficiency can provoke depression.

Dopamine

Dopamine also stimulates the psyche. It is involved in the regulation of the motor environment and allows the formation of behavioral responses to stress. A decrease in the level of this hormone leads to depressive states, and provokes neurological and somatic diseases.

Norepinephrine

This hormone increases diastolic and systolic pressure, but it does not change heart rhythms. Its action causes contraction of the vessels of the kidneys and relaxation of the intestinal muscles. It appears as a result of physical impact and accompanies such a state as rage.

Androgens, or sex hormones, are estrogen. It raises the pain threshold of a person, while the physical impact of stressors is not so noticeable. Unlike other elements, it is synthesized only by the adrenal glands (androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone) and the gonads. Men do not experience an overabundance of it, since the main hormone for them is testosterone.

And in women, with an increase in the amount of androgens, male signs- hair growth, change in the timbre of the voice, body structure. But, as a rule, the influence of androgens is rather weak.

Speaking of such a relationship as hormones and stress, it is worth remembering beta-endorphin, which also allows you to survive a difficult period. It is produced by the intermediate section of the pituitary gland. It reduces the response to pain, eliminates the effects of shock, keeps the central nervous system in good shape. Beta-endorphin belongs to the group of endorphins.

Physiologically, it is an excellent analgesic, anti-shock and anti-stress agent. It helps to reduce appetite, reduces the sensitivity of the central nervous system, normalizes pressure and breathing. It is often compared to morphine and other opiates, giving endorphin another name, endogenous opiate.

The effect of endorphins causes euphoria, it is not in vain that it is believed that after stress a positive emotional effect necessarily occurs. But this side effect hormone during stress, since it can be caused not only by tension, but also by a momentary feeling of happiness, listening to music, viewing works of art.

Other hormones

Let's consider them.

1. Mineralocorticides. These hormones play an important role, they are produced in the adrenal cortex, and live no more than 15 minutes. The main hormone belonging to this group is aldosterone. It allows you to retain sodium and water in the body, stimulates the release of potassium. An excess of it can cause an increase in pressure, and a shortage is fraught with loss of salt and water. As a result, a dangerous condition can develop - dehydration and adrenal insufficiency.
2. thyroid hormones. The main hormones produced by the thyroid gland are thyroxine and triiodine. For the synthesis of these elements, sufficient intake of iodine is necessary. Otherwise, problems with memory and attentiveness are possible. Another hormone produced by the thyroid gland is calcitonin. It contributes to the saturation of bone tissue with calcium, which ensures its hardness and prevents destruction.

Anterior pituitary hormones

The anterior pituitary gland produces the stress hormone prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and many others. They have an impact on the well-being of a person and the maturation of stress. Thyroid-stimulating hormone stimulates the thyroid gland, allowing it to produce a sufficient amount of elements. The secretion of this substance is disturbed with age, and its excess affects the structure and functioning of the thyroid gland.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulates the adrenal glands and is involved in the secretion of pigments. Somattropin is the main element responsible for human growth. In childhood, its deficiency leads to irreparable consequences. It is also involved in the distribution of fat accumulations, skeletal growth, protein metabolism, providing strength and muscle growth. Somattropin has an effect on pancreatic cells and insulin production.

prolactin and metabolism

Stress and prolactin hormones are inextricably linked. Prolactin in chronic stress is produced in small quantities, which can cause metabolic disorders. This is especially dangerous for women. An excess of it also leads to critical consequences. Since prolactin is associated with the function of childbearing, it leads to the inability to become pregnant, disruption of ovulation, causes the development of adenoma, mastopathy.

The main factor influencing its overabundance is stress. Even minor experiences can cause it to rise. Also, provoking factors can be medication and breast surgery, diseases of the endocrine system, exposure to radiation. A decrease in the hormone is rare and is usually caused by physical and emotional overload.

It is worth noting that all stress hormones are important for the normal functioning of the body, their presence is mandatory. Cortisol, adrenaline and prolactin are preparing to fight stress, but when they are exceeded, negative consequences are inevitable. To prevent this, it is worth controlling the impact of traumatic factors. This will be done by observing the regime of rest and activity, avoiding tense situations and the formation of the correct reaction to stress.

What can cause stress, hormones, how they affect the body, their functions, cortisol, prolactin, adrenaline, causes, consequences, how to reduce.

Not only bacteria, viruses, congenital or acquired pathologies of internal organs are to blame for the occurrence of diseases in humans.

Many diseases develop under the influence of prolonged stress. Resilience has received a lot of attention in recent years.

And this is due to the fact that modern people often have to be in stressful situations, as their personal and social life often takes place in extreme conditions.

General concept of stress

The term stress in medicine refers to an unfavorable, negative impact on the human body, leading to various psychological and physiological reactions.

From the point of view of morphological and functional development, stress is characterized by an adaptation syndrome, which has three stages:

• The first stage is the anxiety reaction.. The usual resistance of the body decreases, a state of shock occurs, during which a person loses the ability to partially or completely control his actions and thoughts. At the first stage, protective mechanisms are also included in the work.
• The second stage of resistance or otherwise resistance. The tension observed during the functioning of all vital systems leads to the fact that the body begins to adapt (adapt) to new conditions for it. At this stage, the individual can already make decisions that should help him cope with stress.
• The third stage - exhaustion. It manifests itself in the failure of defense mechanisms, which ultimately leads to a pathological disturbance in the interaction of especially important functions of the body. If stress passes into the third stage, then it becomes chronic, capable of giving impetus to the development of many diseases.

The severity of stress is determined by the severity of the main symptoms, these are:

• Physiological manifestations. Stress leads to headaches, pain in the chest, back, changes in blood pressure, redness of certain parts of the body. Prolonged stressful situations cause eczema, atopic dermatitis, stomach ulcers.
• Psychological manifestations. Decreased appetite, increased nervousness and irritability, decreased interest in life, rapid excitability, constant expectation of possible troubles, nervous tics, depressive states are psychological manifestations of stress.

In psychology, there are two types of stress:

• Eustress or "useful" stress for the body. The development of the human body is impossible without the influence of minor stressful situations. Morning rise, hobbies, study, meetings with loved ones - all this leads to the production of stress hormones, but if their number is within the normal range, then this only benefits the body.
• Distress or negative stress. They arise at the moment of critical stress of the body and their manifestations meet all traditional ideas about stress.

What causes stress

The human body enters a state of stress under the influence of events occurring at work, in personal life, in society.

Stress is often experienced by those who are in emergency situations. In stressful situations, identical biochemical changes occur in the body, their main goal is to extinguish the growing tension.

Stress changes in the body occur with the participation of two systems, these are:

• Sympathoadrenal system.
• Pituitary-hypothalamic-adrenal.

Their work is controlled by the hypothalamus and higher parts of the brain, and intense work leads to the release of certain substances called stress hormones.

The task of these hormones is to mobilize the physical resources of the body in order to offset the influence of factors that cause stress.

The main stress hormones and their features

Under the influence of stressful situations in the body, the activity of the main functional systems and their normal functioning change dramatically.

At this time, certain hormones play a major role in maintaining the changed status.

They are secreted by the endocrine glands, especially the adrenal glands.

Under stress, the adrenal cortex releases stress hormones into the bloodstream, belonging to four groups:

Not only the adrenal glands produce stress hormones. The hormone involved in metabolic reactions, accelerating biochemical reactions and increasing attention, is produced by the thyroid gland and pituitary gland.

In the thyroid gland, thyroxine and triiodothyronine are formed, in the anterior lobes of the pituitary gland - growth hormone, prolactin, follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones, ACTH.

Stress hormones, especially adrenaline, prolactin and cortisol, prepare the human body for the development of unusual, complex conditions by turning on certain mechanisms.

During stress, blood sugar and blood pressure increase, this is required to provide the necessary nutrition to the brain and muscles.

Such changes cause fear and panic and at the same time prepare a person to confront the threat.

How stress hormones affect the body, their functions

A stressful situation at first leads to the fact that a person has confusion and increased anxiety.

These states are considered the preparation of the body for more pronounced changes.

Information about a threat or a non-standard situation enters the brain, is processed there, and through the nerve endings enters the vital organs.

This leads to the fact that stress hormones begin to enter the bloodstream in large quantities.

If a person experiences physical stress, then norepinephrine is released more. When mentally stressed, adrenaline is produced.

Each of the stress hormones triggers its own mechanism of action, which affects the appearance of certain symptoms.

cortisol

Cortisol begins to be actively produced in emergency situations, with a lack of nutrients in the body, with increased physical activity.

It is considered normal when the level of cortisol is within 10 μg / dl, with a pronounced state of shock, this level can reach 180 μg / dl.

An increase in cortisol is a protective reaction of the body that allows a person to make the right decisions faster in stressful situations.

To achieve this, additional energy is needed. Therefore, high cortisol levels lead to the following changes:

• To the conversion of amino acids in muscle tissue into glucose, which is necessary for energy release and stress relief.
• to insulin metabolism.
• To anti-inflammatory reactions resulting from the fact that the permeability of the walls of blood vessels decreases and the production of inflammatory mediators is inhibited.
• To the immunoregulatory effect on the body. Cortisol reduces the activity of allergens and lymphocytes.

Cortisol, with increased production, destroys hippocampal neurons, which negatively affects the functioning of the brain as a whole.

Prolactin

Prolactin has anabolic and metabolic effects on the body. Under the influence of this hormone, metabolic processes change, and protein synthesis is accelerated.

Prolactin also has an immunoregulatory effect, regulates water-salt metabolism, mental functions and behavioral reactions of the body.

Adrenalin

As already mentioned, adrenaline begins to actively stand out at the moment of severe anxiety, fear, rage, panic.

The main action of adrenaline is a bronchodilator and antispasmodic, in addition, this hormone is also an antidiuretic.

It is possible to determine the moment of release of adrenaline in large quantities by the expanding pupil.

Under the influence of adrenaline, the frequency and depth of breathing decreases, the walls of internal organs relax, the motor function of the stomach is inhibited, and less digestive enzymes and juices are released.

At the same time, the contractility of skeletal muscles increases if a urine test is done at the time of a strong stressful situation, then sodium and potassium ions can be detected.

The release of norepinephrine causes an increase in blood pressure, but the acceleration of the heart rate does not occur. Norepinephrine reduces diuresis, reduces the secretory activity of the stomach, increases the secretion of saliva and relaxes the smooth muscles located in the walls of the intestine.

Consequences of elevated levels of cortisol and prolactin

More negative changes in the body occur if a large amount of cortisol or prolactin is constantly in the blood.

If cortisol levels remain at a consistently high level for a long time, then this becomes the reason:

• Decreased muscle mass. The body synthesizes energy not from incoming food, but from muscle tissue.
• The percentage of body fat increases. With elevated cortisol, a person constantly wants sweets, and this provokes weight gain.
• The appearance of folds on the abdomen. When cortisol levels are high, fat deposits accumulate inside the abdomen, they push out the muscle layer, and the figure takes on the shape of an apple.
• Diabetes mellitus type 2. Under the influence of cortisol, the production of insulin decreases and at the same time more glucose appears in the blood due to muscle breakdown. That is, blood sugar becomes almost twice as high.
• Decreased testosterone levels.
• Increased risk of developing cardiovascular pathologies. A high level of cortisol causes the body to constantly work with overloads, which negatively affects the state of blood vessels and the heart muscle.
• Osteoporosis. Cortisol impairs the absorption of collagen and calcium, slows down the regeneration processes, which causes increased bone fragility.

The hormone prolactin is responsible for the production of progesterone. This hormone is of great importance for the body of a woman.

In stressful situations, prolactin strongly affects metabolic reactions and mechanisms that regulate the water content in the body.

With depression, prolactin is produced in large quantities and this causes a variety of pathologies, including the development of cancer cells.

Excessive amount of prolactin becomes the reason for the lack of ovulation, not carrying a pregnancy, mastopathy.

Prolactin is also important for the health of men, if it is not enough, then sexual function may suffer, there is a predisposition to the formation of adenoma.

Causes of increased stress hormones in the body

Stress hormones begin to be produced in the human body during stressful situations.

A sharp production of hormones, mainly adrenaline, may be due to emergencies - an earthquake, an accident, a thermal injury.

Adrenaline is produced in excess during skydiving, while practicing and other extreme sports.

A prolonged or even permanent increase in cortisol, prolactin occurs due to:

• Severe, prolonged illness.
• Loss of a relative or loved one.
• Divorce.
• Deterioration of the financial situation.
• Problems at work.
• Retirement.
• Problems with the law.
• sexual dysfunctions.

In women, stress hormones can start to build up after pregnancy.

Sometimes, after the birth of a child, the situation only gets worse, which can lead to severe psychosis or postpartum depression.

Chronically elevated levels of cortisol may be due to:

• Intermittent fasting or strict diets.
• Improper organization of physical activity. Sports should be practiced under the guidance of an experienced coach who knows how the level of training affects the critical increase in cortisone and can neutralize this harmful effect by selecting the right training complexes.
• Abuse of coffee. A cup of strong coffee raises cortisol levels by 30%. Therefore, if you drink several cups of the drink during the day, this will lead to constantly elevated levels of the stress hormone.

The situation is aggravated if a person constantly lacks sleep, works a lot and does not know how to relax.

Popular with readers:, reasons, how to get rid of.

signs

Symptoms of stress depend on several factors, this is the state of the human psyche, the stage of the pathological process, the strength of the negative impact. Signs of stress are divided into physical and psychological. The most pronounced psychological symptoms are:

• The occurrence of unreasonable anxiety.
• Internal tension.
• Constant dissatisfaction.
• Constantly bad mood, depression.
• Decreased interest in work, personal life, close people.

Physical symptoms may include extreme fatigue, sleep disturbances, weight loss, irritability, or lethargy.

In women during pregnancy and after childbirth, stress urinary incontinence may occur, that is, its spontaneous release when coughing, sneezing, scheme.

Urinary incontinence after stress is also noted in young children.

It is necessary to exclude an increased level of prolactin in the body when:

• infertility.
• Miscarriages in the first weeks of pregnancy.
• Galactorrhea, that is, when milk is secreted from the nipples.
• Frigidity and decreased libido.
• Acne and hirsutism.
• Menstrual irregularities.
• Increased appetite, which can lead to obesity.

With prolonged production of prolactin, the structure of the cells that produce this hormone changes, as a result, a tumor begins to grow - prolactinoma.

This tumor compresses the optic nerve and negatively affects the state of the nervous system.

Its main symptoms are decreased visual acuity, sleep disturbance, and depression.

You can suggest a chronic increase in cortisol by the following signs:

• Weight gain with regular exercise balanced diet.
• An increase in the pulse. High levels of cortisol lead to vasoconstriction, resulting in an increased heart rate even at rest.
• Nervousness that occurs even for no particular reason.
• Decreased libido.
• Frequent sweating and frequent urination.
• insomnia
• Depressive state.

Manifestations of increased stress hormones sometimes lead to severe and not always reversible changes.

In some cases, people prefer to cope with stress themselves, muffling the psycho-emotional manifestations with alcohol, drug use, gambling.

How to reduce

The only way to reduce the release of stress hormones in the body is to minimize the impact of stress. For this you need:

• Follow a healthy lifestyle, that is, do not overwork, sleep well at night, walk on fresh air.
• Do sports. Training should be regular, but they should be given a maximum of 50 minutes per day.
• Avoid stress. To learn how to adequately respond to negative loads, you can learn yoga, meditation, use various techniques relaxation. With increased susceptibility, it is better to refuse to view negative news and materials.
• Learn how to make your diet so that the body receives all the substances it needs, and the digestive system is not overloaded. Reduce your caffeine intake, eat more plant foods, drink more water.
• Smile more often. Watching a comedy, chatting with friends, genuine laughter - all this positive emotions, which do not allow a sharp rise in the level of cortisol.

There will always be stressful situations in the life of any of us. And how the body reacts to the release of stress hormones depends on the person himself.

Therefore, you must definitely learn not to react sharply to negative factors and, if necessary, do not hesitate to seek help from a psychologist.

Stress can be due to various reasons. These can be personal problems (breaking up with a loved one, trouble with children, illness), or external circumstances, such as losing a job. In such a situation, various biochemical processes take place in the human body, which can have a negative impact on health if their exposure continues for a long period of time. To neutralize the effects of stress, almost all systems of the human body are involved, but the endocrine system plays the greatest role. It is in the process of its work that various stress hormones are released.

The role of adrenaline in stress

Understanding which hormones are produced first, it should be noted that these are adrenaline and norepinephrine. They are involved in the regulation of body processes at times of peak nervous stress. They are responsible for triggering built-in mechanisms that adapt the body to a state of stress. They are released into the blood by the adrenal glands. The level of adrenaline rises sharply at the moment of experiencing anxiety, in conditions of shock, or when a person experiences fear. Entering the circulatory system and spreading throughout the body, adrenaline leads to a rapid heartbeat, the pupils become dilated in a person. At the same time, it must be taken into account that its long-term impact on human systems leads to the depletion of protective forces.

The release of norepinephrine is accompanied by a sharp increase in blood pressure. This stress hormone is also released at the time of increased nervous stress or when a person is in shock. From a psychological point of view, adrenaline is considered the hormone of fear, and norepinephrine is considered the hormone of rage. Having different effects on the body, both hormones make its systems work almost to the limit of what is possible and, thus, on the one hand, protect the body from stress, and on the other hand, help a person get out of a difficult situation. If the production of these hormones is impaired, a person's behavior in a stressful situation may be inadequate.

Mechanism of action of cortisol

Another stress hormone called cortisol and stress are almost inseparable. A sharp increase in the level of the hormone is observed precisely at the moments of peak physical or emotional stress. This is a kind of protective reaction of the body. Influencing in some way nervous system, this hormone prompts the brain to look for the best way out of the situation, it maximizes its activity. If muscle effort is required to get out of a difficult situation, then cortisol can give them an unexpected boost. It is the action of this hormone that explains sharp increase speed and ability to climb trees from hunters who ran away from the bear. Or a sharp surge of strength in mothers who were forced to protect their children.

The action of cortisol is that the body finds sources of fast energy, which is glucose or muscles. Therefore, prolonged stress and, accordingly, maintaining cortisol levels at a high level for a long time can lead to muscle breakdown (after all, they cannot constantly supply a person with energy) and weight gain. The body requires the restoration of glucose reserves, and the person begins to increase the consumption of sweets, which leads to an increase in body weight.

Effects of cortisol on the body

In the normal state, the stress hormone cortisol is not only not harmful, but also beneficial for the normal functioning of human vital systems. Thanks to him, the sugar balance is regulated, normal metabolism is ensured, insulin production in the right volumes and stable breakdown of glucose is ensured. Under conditions of stress, there is a sharp increase in cortisol levels. As described above, the short-term effect of peak hormone production is even beneficial, but when stressed for a long time, it is harmful.

A constant increase in the content of cortisol in the blood leads to the following consequences:

• High blood pressure, which negatively affects a person’s well-being and can lead to negative consequences, up to a stroke.
• Deterioration of the thyroid gland, which in the long term can lead to a decrease in insulin production and the appearance of diabetes mellitus.
• A sharp increase in blood glucose levels, which, together with a deterioration in the functioning of the thyroid gland, can lead to disruption of the basic systems of the body.
• Violation of the functioning of the endocrine system as a whole, which can lead, among other things, to increased bone fragility and destruction of some body tissues.
• Decreased immunity due to a malfunction in the functioning of human vital systems.

The effect of cortisol on weight

Another negative effect of this hormone on human life is the formation of new fatty tissues. With chronic stress and constantly elevated cortisol levels, a person develops cravings for fatty and sugary foods. In order to constantly deal with stressful phenomena, the body needs fast energy reserves - glucose and amino acids. The first is contained in the blood and enters there as a result of the consumption of sugar or sweet foods, and the second component is in the muscles. It turns out a vicious circle. The body requires sweets, which are made up of glucose and carbohydrates, glucose is consumed to combat stress, and carbohydrates are converted to fat and stored to create energy reserves. Moreover, it is quite difficult to eliminate such fat, it is formed in men in the lower abdomen, and in women - on the hips. In these places, it is very difficult to remove it even through exercise.

Moreover, the presence high level cortisol often interferes with weight loss. First, the body gives signals that it needs extra food, which leads to the appearance of a feeling of hunger, which means that the weight does not decrease. Secondly, under the influence of cortisol, muscle is broken down into amino acids, which are required for a defensive reaction to deal with stress. This leads to the fact that a person does not have the strength to exercise. Thus, it is difficult for a person to lose weight, both through physical activity and through diet. To lose weight, you must first reduce the amount of cortisol in the body.

prolactin and stress

The stress hormone prolactin acts in most cases on women. This is due to the fact that it is associated with the implementation of the function of having children. The level of this hormone in women also increases dramatically during periods of unexpected mental stress. Its negative effect lies in the fact that with prolonged exposure it leads to a violation of ovulation, menstruation schedules, and therefore problems with conceiving a child. In addition, it can lead to various diseases of the female genital organs and the reproductive system.

Prolactin also rises during pregnancy, which leads to various emotional outbursts in women. However, a constant hormonal failure can lead to problems with breastfeeding in the future. Therefore, if during pregnancy a woman has signs of depression, it is necessary to make an analysis for the level of this hormone. Timely response and prescription of medications will contribute to the birth of a healthy child and positive mood future mother.

Constant stress in women, which means an increased content of prolactin in the blood, can lead not only to problems with pregnancy, but also to other critical consequences. Therefore, it is extremely important to learn how to deal with stress, look at life positively and avoid strong nervous overload.

Stress management

To avoid health problems caused by stress hormones, you need to learn how to manage your mental and nervous state. There are a fairly large number of methods of dealing with stress and increasing stress resistance. Someone spends time alone every day in a quiet, peaceful place, someone leaves for an empty place and just screams to splash out negative energy, and for someone the best anti-stress is a trip to the boxing gym. The main thing is to find your own way and actively use it. It must also be remembered that a healthy and restful sleep- the key to a stable nervous and endocrine systems.

Healthy do sport. At the same time, training should not be to the point of exhaustion, but simply sufficient. Excessively active sports can, on the contrary, provoke the release of cortisol and lead to weight gain, and not to a positive psychotropic effect. In general, participation in sporting events and regular physical exercise(especially in the fresh air) contribute to the production of endorphins by the endocrine system - hormones of joy and happiness, which significantly increase stress resistance.

Healthy listen to good music, distribute things in advance to eliminate the feeling that everything needs to be done at the same time, but there is no time (this is one of the most common causes of stress). It also has a positive effect on the mental, nervous and endocrine systems. massage, manual therapy, meditation, breathing exercises.

So, when a person is stressed, complex biochemical processes take place in the body, which are accompanied by a sharp increase in the choice of special substances, which are called stress hormones. On the one hand, they form a protective reaction, help to quickly find a way out of a difficult situation, but, on the other hand, with a long nervous tension stress hormones lead to disturbances in the body, unbalancing its systems. The consequence of constant stress can be various chronic and incurable diseases. Therefore, you need to deal with stress and learn to manage your emotional state.

The hormone cortisol is elevated when there is increased adrenal function. But is there always adrenal disease when the hormone cortisol is elevated? Good and cheerful time of day, dear readers. For those who are here for the first time, I will introduce myself. My name is Dilyara Lebedeva. I am an endocrinologist and the author of the blog "Hormones are normal!". In this article, I want to show you that sometimes an increase in cortisol levels in the blood is not as dangerous as many people think.

When the hormone cortisol rises, and this is called hypercortisolism in medical language, the doctor has a great responsibility, because all further treatment of the patient depends on the correct diagnosis.

Why is cortisol elevated?

Hypercortisolism (elevated cortisol levels) can be caused by:

1. Endogenous synthesis of cortisol, i.e., cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands themselves in excess. There may be several reasons for this, but more on that later.
2. Exogenous intake of cortisol, i.e., the intake of cortisol preparations (prednisolone, cortef, etc.) from the outside, for example, in the treatment of many systemic diseases. Moreover, the intake of only non-physiological (large) doses of these drugs can lead to an increase in cortisol levels.

Endogenous cause of increased hormone levels

Endogenous increase in the level of the hormone cortisol is divided into forms: ACTH-dependent and ACTH-independent.

ACTH-dependent increase in cortisol levels

ACTH-dependent increase in the hormone cortisol is so called because the diseases that belong to this form develop under the influence of pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). It is this hormone that is the “head” of the adrenal glands and stimulates their work.

These diseases and conditions include:

1. Itsenko Cushing's disease. There is an article on the blog "" dedicated to this disease, so I recommend reading it.
2. Syndrome of ectopic production of ACTH and corticoliberin. There is also an article, find it
3. Long-term use of synthetic analogues of ACTH (sinacten, sinkarpin).

ACTH-independent increase in cortisol levels

An ACTH-independent increase in the hormone cortisol occurs when the adrenal glands are able to synthesize cortisol on their own, uncontrollably. This is possible only with an existing focus in the adrenal glands, which will produce an increased amount of hormones.

This is observed when:

1. Adenoma or carcinoma of the adrenal glands (Itsenko Cushing's syndrome). Read more about this disease in the article ".
2. Primary nodular adrenal hyperplasia.
3. With an increase in the level of prolactin ().

Functional hypercortisolism

There are cases when, when examining a patient for suspicion of hypercorticism, no endogenous excessive synthesis of cortisol is detected, as well as no connection with the intake of glucocorticoids. That is, with this variant of increasing the hormone cortisol, there is no disease that directly contributes to the increase of this hormone. At the same time, there are other diseases that indirectly, that is, functionally, increase the level of cortisol.

In this case, it is possible to assume the presence of the so-called functional hypercorticism. In the case when the hormone cortisol is elevated due to functional hypercortisolism, clinically it may differ little from an endogenous increase in cortisol. There is a difference in the choice of treatment method.

The conditions that cause functional hypercortisolism are:

1. Obesity.
2. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
3. Liver damage, which is accompanied by a violation of the function of synthesizing proteins (chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, chronic alcoholism, anorexia nervosa, etc.).
4. depression.
5. Pregnancy.
6. Pubertal age.

The symptoms of elevated cortisol are always the same and do not depend on the causes that caused it. Simply put, whatever the cause of hypercortisolism, the symptoms will be the same. Although manifestations elevated hormone cortisol at various diseases are the same, but there are fundamental differences in approaches to treatment.

Therefore, it is important for us to clearly understand what is in front of us: Itsenko Cushing's disease or syndrome, the syndrome of ectopic ACTH production or nodular hypertrophy of the adrenal glands, or maybe it's just functional hypercorticism. To decide how to treat a particular patient, it is necessary to carefully and accurately determine the diagnosis.

Diagnosis algorithm for elevated cortisol levels

If a hypercortisolism syndrome is suspected, which is based on the patient's complaints, as well as on his examination, the daily excretion of cortisol in the urine is first determined. This is a screening method and any examination for hypercortisolism begins with it.

IMPORTANT! It is cortisol that is determined in the urine, and not in the blood. This is done because this hormone is not stable in the blood and there are a lot of different factors that affect its synthesis. So the definition of cortisol in the blood today does not have clinical significance. Even taking blood from a vein itself can increase the synthesis of this hormone, and as a result, the indicator is too high.

If the result is negative, the diagnosis is refuted.

In the case of a positive result, when the decrease in cortisol level is less than 50 nmol/l, the diagnosis is made: functional hypercorticism. A negative result indicates the presence of endogenous hypercortisolism. This option is an indication for a large dexamethasone test. It can also be positive or negative.

A positive test indicates Itsenko Cushing's disease, and a negative test indicates damage to the adrenal glands (Itsenko Cushing's syndrome).

After determining the cause of the elevated cortisol level, you need to visualize this formation, in other words, see what increases the level of the hormone. For Itsenko Cushing's syndrome, studies of the adrenal glands (ultrasound, CT, MRI) are carried out, and for Itsenko Cushing's disease, a study of the skull.

If a lesion is found in the adrenal glands on one side, then this is a tumor that synthesizes cortisol (corticosteroma or carcinoma). If both adrenal glands are affected, another test is performed to confirm or refute another reason for the increase in cortisol levels. This blood sampling for ACTH. If ACTH is higher than normal, then this is a syndrome of ectopic ACTH production. If ACTH is below normal, then this is nodular hyperplasia of the adrenal glands.

After an accurate determination of the source of hypercortisolism, a choice of treatment method is made, but that's another story. Read about it in my next articles.