Hyperprolactinemia (increased prolactin) and the role of the stress hormone in the body. The most common causes of elevated cortisol in women: symptoms and treatments for hypercortisolism

And how long did it take for B? :)

I would love to be in this cycle.

I have elevated prolactin. G prescribed Dostinex for me. But they are so expensive. He said to drink for 2 months. But you should definitely consult a doctor! Don't drink anything yourself.

I had it, but also TSH was elevated. The endorinologist said that when the TSH is corrected, everything will return to normal, and cortol is generally a stress hormone, I was nervous - it is elevated. Prolactin blocks O. I retaken in the next cycle and instead of 1100 prolactin became significantly lower and this is without medication. Then, from the 24th day of the cycle, she began to drink l thyroxine for the thyroid gland and in the same cycle for B

Buklya, of course, tomorrow or the day after tomorrow I will definitely go.

What to do if prolactin is elevated

The functions of our body are carried out due to hormones - special biologically active substances which are secreted by various glands. Prolactin is a female hormone that is also present in the male body, but in different proportions. If prolactin is elevated, urgent measures must be taken to restore hormonal balance, since a failure in the system is dangerous and leads to the most unpleasant consequences. It is thanks to him that the mammary glands begin to form in a girl during puberty, subsequently he will be responsible for preparing the breast for feeding the baby and secreting milk.

The normal level of the hormone ensures the healthy functioning of all body systems. But what if the test results indicate that prolactin is greatly elevated? And how does this affect the functioning of the endocrine system? To answer these questions, you need to clarify what kind of work the hormone does in the body, what are the symptoms of imbalance and what it can mean.

About the hormone

The hormone prolactin is secreted by a part of the brain called the pituitary gland. In a woman's body, he is responsible not only for the preparation of the mammary glands, but also has whole line functions related not only to the reproductive system. In noticeably smaller volumes, it is produced in the kidneys, liver, intestines, endometrium of the uterus and adipose tissue of the body. The hormone also has other names that can be found in referrals for testing: mammotropic hormone, or luteotropic hormone (LTH).

The main tasks include:

Support for the normal course of pregnancy. It plays an important role in the process of attaching a fertilized egg to the wall of the uterus. This means that in case of violation of its production, pregnancy will not occur.
Formation of maternal instinct. Awakens in a woman the maternal instinct and a sense of affection for the baby.
Lactational "infertility". During lactation, the woman's body throws all its strength into maintaining the health of the newborn. Prolactin is elevated in a woman during breastfeeding, which creates a kind of "infertility" in a woman by inhibiting the formation of eggs.
Metabolism. The hormone stimulates a uniform flow of metabolism - body weight also depends on it, among other things.

It is also important to note that it plays an important role not only in the female, but also in the male body. First of all, along with other hormones, it stimulates the maturation of spermatozoa - if prolactin is produced incorrectly, there are difficulties with conception.

Also, it is he who supports the secretion of the most important male hormone - testosterone, and what threatens to fail in its production for the male body is obvious.

Norm and pathology

It is noteworthy, but the amount of prolactin required for the body is regulated by another hormone - dopamine, which stops the production of LHT when the proper volume is reached. It is worth noting that in the normal process of life, prolactin is able to increase in response to a number of "irritants", but this increase always remains within the normal range. Stress, exhausting physical labor, sexual contact, and even sleep and food - all this causes the level of prolactin to increase. For this reason, the limits of the norm for it are extremely wide and range from 40 to 500 mU / l. Moreover, in most cases, an indicator exceeding the upper limit of usU / l is also considered normal.

All causes of failures are divided into physiological and pathological. We have already talked about the first group: pregnancy and lactation - these periods in a woman's life, the level of the hormone is increased, which is absolutely normal and inevitable. So, already at the beginning of pregnancy, the indicators reach mU / l, and by the end of pregnancy, the highest level reaches domU / l. Six months to a year after birth, it drops to honey / l. Otherwise, the situation is with pathological causes, which can also be divided into two types:

Side effect of taking drugs

In the first case, which is also called iatrogenic LHT elevation, high prolactin levels are due to taking a certain type of medication and are considered as a side effect. Most often, such an increase is not accompanied by the manifestation of pathological symptoms, and at the end of the course, the hormonal background is restored. In extreme cases, a simple adjustment of the dosage of the drug is required. Elevated prolactin can be when taking estrogen contraceptives, heart medications, antidepressants, antiemetics, and after surgery with general anesthesia.

Violation in the work of the body

Pathological causes include various diseases in which the level of the hormone can increase. First of all, disruption and disease of the pituitary gland, which is responsible for the production of the hormone, as well as other parts of the brain that regulate our hormonal levels (tumors or metastases, infections). Higher levels of cortisol lead to depression, which in turn affects LHT levels. An increased level of prolactin in the blood is observed with problems with the reproductive system of a woman: inflammatory processes, polycystic, endometriosis or fibroids. The cause may be cirrhosis of the liver, kidney failure, serious injuries (especially in the chest area), disruption of the thyroid gland.

In rare cases, idiopathic hyperprolactinemia is observed - a situation in which it is impossible to detect what causes an elevated hormone level, and therefore treatment becomes extremely difficult.

Symptoms

There are many signals indicating high prolactin in the body, and many of them correspond to other disorders in the body as well. In any case, it would be optimal to take a comprehensive analysis of hormones, which will provide a complete picture of the state of the hormonal system of the body. Increased prolactin in women is accompanied by symptoms:

Violation of the menstrual cycle. This symptom occurs in almost 90% of cases, and is due to the fact that the level of prolactin is increased, preventing ovulation from taking place.
Infertility. The absence of ovulation, in principle, does not allow a woman to conceive a child, and even if pregnancy occurs, there is a high probability of miscarriage in the early stages.
Discharge from nipples. When prolactin rises, milk formed under the influence of the hormone begins to be released from the nipples.
Acne. The appearance of acne and blackheads, other manifestations of disruption of the sebaceous glands indicates that LHT may be exceeded.
Strengthening hair growth. The presence of elevated prolactin in women leads to excess hair growth around the nipples, on the abdomen and on the face. This is due to the fact that prolactin and testosterone are linked, since the former stimulates the production of the latter.
Libido disorder. If prolactin is above normal, a woman has a decrease in sexual desire, up to frigidity, and the absence of orgasms.
Depression. It is due to the fact that during hormonal failure, cortisol, the stress hormone, is also intensively produced.
Increase in body weight. Prolactin and excess weight go hand in hand. Like the stress hormone cortisol, LHT increases appetite by causing the body to store the nutrients it has received.
Prolactinoma. An elevated level of LHT leads to a dangerous manifestation of the disease, which is a benign tumor. It is formed by cells of glands that produce prolactin. Prolactinoma can lead to visual impairment, sleep disturbance, depression and nervous disorders.

Treatment

Naturally, only a doctor can determine how to treat elevated prolactin, after examination and identification of the cause of hormonal failure. So, if the cause was the inflammatory processes of the reproductive system, kidney failure, elevated cortisol, it is required to eliminate them. With a favorable prognosis, additional intervention will not be needed, and high prolactin will return to normal on its own. Also, they do not resort to treatment if the concentration of the hormone does not exceed 1000 mU / l, the pituitary gland retains a normal structure and no other changes are observed in the body.

Medications are divided into two groups: ergoline (based on ergot alkaloids) and non-ergoline. The choice of drugs is quite wide, and the required drug, which should give a positive effect, will be prescribed only by a doctor. With increased prolactin, additional treatment with herbs is possible. For supporting nervous system valerian and lemon balm are recommended; also take decoctions of St. John's wort, hawthorn, hops and elderberry. But resort to traditional medicine should only be taken after consultation with your doctor.

Now a little about the secrets of dealing with chest pain

Any hormonal disorders in the female body include a mechanism for serious changes in the reproductive system. An increase in prolactin levels leads to the development of serious diseases and disorders. If a woman has found signs of elevated prolactin in herself, she urgently needs to see a doctor and get tested for hormones: in addition to prolactin, cortisol, testosterone, estrogen and other hormones are also monitored. With timely medical intervention and proper treatment, hormonal imbalance will be eliminated.

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Hyperprolactinemia (increased prolactin) and the role of the stress hormone in the body

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.

human endocrine system

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 stressful situations.

Another stress hormone is cortisol. Its increase occurs when extreme situations or strong 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 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.

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 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.

Operations on the mammary glands.

Chronic insufficiency of the liver and kidneys.

What if prolactin is low? Decreased levels are rare. 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 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.

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 when taking certain drugs (estrogen, birth control 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, often taking place in quite 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.

General concept stress refers to a strong adverse and negative impact 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 signs (symptoms) given state, 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 a period of stress in the body, the level of activity of its functional systems changes - 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. High levels of cortisol are 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, this 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, reduced immunity, increased abdominal fat, decreased muscle tissue as well as 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 by nerve tissues, but also by 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 is 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 pupil 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 with this, the hormone cortisol can adversely affect the functioning of the brain as a whole, destroying the neurons located in the hippocampus.

An important role is also played by 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 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.

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CUSTOMER FEEDBACK:

- THIS IS A DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTER OF THE "UNHAPPY" PERSON
His 2 main problems: 1) chronic dissatisfaction with needs, 2) the inability to direct his anger outward, restraining it, and with it restraining all warm feelings, makes him more and more desperate every year: no matter what he does, it’s better not to on the contrary, it only gets 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.
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BEHIND EVERY "NEGATIVE EMOTION" IS A NEED OR DESIRE, THE SATISFACTION OF WHICH IS THE KEY TO CHANGE IN LIFE...
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Psychosomatic diseases (it will be more correct) are those disorders in our body that are based on psychological causes. Psychological causes are our reactions to traumatic (difficult) life events, our thoughts, feelings, emotions that do not find the timely, right for specific human expression.
Mental defenses work, we forget about this event after a while, and sometimes instantly, but the body and the unconscious part of the psyche remember everything and send us signals in the form of disorders and diseases
Sometimes the call may be to respond to some events from the past, to bring “buried” feelings out, or the symptom simply symbolizes what we forbid ourselves.
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The negative impact of stress on the human body, and especially distress, is enormous. Stress and the likelihood of developing diseases are closely related. Suffice it to say that stress can reduce immunity by about 70%. Obviously, such a decrease in immunity can result in anything. And it’s also good if it’s just colds, but what if it’s cancer or asthma, the treatment of which is already extremely difficult?
Elevated cortisol and prolactin
Testosterone - 1.17 ng / ml (normal 0 - 0.6);
Free testosterone - 9.4 pg / ml (0 - 4.1);
Cortisol - 373.39 ng / ml ();
DHEAS - 4.56 mcg / ml (0.8 - 3.9).
I remember exactly that prolactin (for March) is the norm.
May results:
LH - 12.59 IU / l (reference values: follicular phase - 0.8 - 10.5 IU / l; ovulatory phase - 18.4 - 61.2 IU / l; luteal phase - 0.8 - 10.5 IU / l);
17-OH-progesterone - 1.9 ng / ml (reference values: follicular phase - 0.1 - 0.8 ng / ml; ovulatory phase - 0.3 - 1.4 ng / ml; luteal phase - 0.6 - 2.3 ng / ml);
Progesterone - 22.94 ng / ml (normal: follicular phase: 0.2-1.4, luteal phase: 4-25);
Cortisol - 306.08 ng / ml (norm:);
DHEA-S - 4.12 mcg / ml (norm: 0.8-3.9);
Prolactin - 47.59 ng / ml (norm: 1.2 - 19.5).
FSH, testosterone, free testosterone were within normal limits.

I passed the analysis on the 5th day of m.c.
She also did an ultrasound of the pelvic organs (everything was within the normal range).
Because prolactin (for May) was above the norm, the gynecologist-endocrinologist (Family Planning and Reproduction Center No. 3) recommended that he be retaken. As a result, prolactin (for June) is the norm (I can’t indicate the exact figure, but I remember exactly that it was the norm, because I took the result myself).
August results:
Prolactin - 19.62 ng / ml (norm up to 19.5);
Cortisol - 313.0 ng / ml (norm up to 250);
Ultrasound of the adrenal glands: not visualized.
At the expense of a slight increase in prolactin, the gynecologist-endocrinologist said that for the laboratory (polyclinic No. 218) this is an excellent result (normal), because. the results for this hormone in this laboratory are usually overestimated, in general, that is why I retaken prolactin for May.
As for chest pain (which I wrote about a little higher), then on this moment nothing bothers me (already from April 2010, my chest stopped hurting (after the next menstruation)).
Of the complaints (with which she turned to a gynecologist-endocrinologist): a delay in the menstrual cycle (35-40 days) since January 2010, at a normal (for me) days. And respectively analyzes for March and May.
At the moment, I am worried about palpitations (beats / min.), Delayed menstrual cycle.
I also visit a psychotherapist for neurosis (but this issue began to bother me about 2 years ago), at the moment from medication prescriptions: Atarax and Azafen (the drugs are well tolerated). Of the complaints at the first visit to the doctor: a feeling of discomfort in the chest (tension, squeezing, constriction), dizziness, irascibility, irritability.
About myself: age - 26 years old, height cm., weight - 59 kg. (stable), BP - 120/80, no stretch marks on the body (with the exception of light (almost invisible) on outside hips, buttocks), in 2006, an operation was performed for nodular goiter (the right lobe of the thyroid gland was removed), as a result - thyroid adenoma. (at the moment - postoperative hypothyroidism, compensated (L-thyroxine 75)), tests for thyroid hormones. (for March) - eutheria. In general, I feel great, if not for this running around with elevated hormones(which may be increased due to this running around), it seems to me that the same psychotherapist would not be needed for me.

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, since 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 load 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 the threat or unusual 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 you do a urine test at the time of a strong stressful situation, you can detect sodium and potassium ions.

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 unchanged for a long time high level, then this causes:

declines 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. High cortisol levels build up body fat 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 and a 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 healthy lifestyle life, that is, do not overwork, sleep well at night, walk in the 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 digestive system 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 these are positive emotions that do not allow cortisol levels to rise sharply.

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.

General the concept of stress means 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).

Morphologically and functionally stress is accompanied general adaptation syndrome, which 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.

Stress can be caused 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 a period of stress in the body, the level of activity of its functional systems changes - cardiovascular, immune, genitourinary, digestive, etc. Therefore, stress hormones play a major role in maintaining this new status. The adrenal glands are the most active endocrine glands.

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

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. High levels of cortisol are 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, this 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 leads to big problems with high cholesterol levels, diabetes, heart attack or stroke. Therefore, cortisol has also received the nickname "hormone of death";
mineralocorticides ( aldosterone) - a hormone necessary for the normal functioning of the kidneys, promote reabsorption (reabsorption), which leads to water retention in the body and the appearance of numerous edema;
androgens(sex hormone, estrogen) - 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 ( adrenalin, norepinephrine, dopamine) - belong to the hormones of the adrenal medulla and are biologically active substances. Of these, norepinephrine and adrenaline are produced not only by nerve tissues, but also by 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.

Of great importance, especially for the female body, is the hormone prolactin, which supports 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 is 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 these stress hormones (especially cortisol, prolactin and adrenaline) prepare the body to the emergence of difficult situations through certain mechanisms, including increasing blood sugar or blood pressure to provide fuel to 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

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 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;
adrenalin is an antidiuretic and has antispasmodic and bronchodilator action. Unlike other hormones, adrenaline can cause pupil 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 with this, the hormone cortisol can adversely affect the functioning of the brain as a whole, destroying the neurons located in the hippocampus.

An important role is also played by prolactin, which has metabolic and anabolic effects, affecting metabolic processes and accelerating 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.

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, since 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 load 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 is 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 correspond to 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:

Glucocorticoids are cortisol and corticosterone. It is cortisol that begins to be produced in large quantities in stressful and emergency situations for a person. Also, its increased release occurs with strong physical activity and against the background of a lack of nutrition. Cortisol has a long-term effect and its constantly elevated level causes depression and memory impairment. During the normal functioning of the body, cortisol in the blood serum is found in the maximum amount in the morning and in the minimum amount at night. This hormone begins to be intensively secreted with constant overvoltage, an indirect sign of this condition can be a craving for fatty foods and sweet foods. Thus, cortisol signals that fat deposits are needed in order to have an energy reserve to fight future "enemies". Under chronic stress, cortisol is produced in such quantities that it becomes harmful to the body. Under its influence, blood pressure rises, the work of the immune system decreases, the tone of muscle tissue decreases, abdominal fat begins to be deposited, and hyperglycemia develops. Such changes give impetus to the development of diseases such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes. Therefore, in some sources, cortisol is referred to as the "hormone of death."
Mineralocorticides. This group of adrenal hormones includes aldosterone, which is responsible for the process of reabsorption - the reabsorption of fluids. If the level of aldosterone increases, then fluid begins to linger in the body and edema forms.
Sex hormones androgens, estrogens. With a high level of estrogen in the blood, the pain threshold rises, that is, a person tolerates pain more easily.
Catecholamines - norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine. They are secreted by the medulla of the adrenal glands and are considered biologically active substances. Adrenaline has a powerful effect in intensity, but its effect, compared to cortisol, ends rather quickly. Therefore, adrenaline is predominantly involved in the development of short-term anxiety and panic. An increase in adrenaline in the blood is noted already in the first minutes and seconds of the influence of the stressor. According to some scientists, the frequent release of adrenaline can cause cancer.

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.