Explain the causes, symptoms, and effects of the general adaptation syndrome.

General adaptation syndrome

General adaptation syndrome (GAS) was first described by Hans Selye, Endocrinologist; and it is defined as the sequence of reactions which are physiological such as illness, infection, disease or death due to prolonged stress. The three stages of the GAS are Alarm, resistance, and Exhaustion.

The first stage is Alarm where most people experience when a stressor (emotional or physical) occurs first such as ‘fights’ or ‘flight’ response. The second stage is ‘resistance’, where stress is situational and resolve right away and generally move to the non-stressed state. The third and final stage of the stress is Exhaustion, where the body is returned back to normal position but when stress is serious and exhausted lead to death.

Symptoms

Fatigue, irritability, difficulty in concentrating, difficulty in sleeping, hair loss, dryness of the mouth and throat, floating anxiety, frequent urinate, migraine headache, depression, pessimism, hopelessness.

Causes

Stress is one of the important causes of the GAS. The unrelieved stress could result in the manifestation of the several symptoms mentioned above.

Effects

Lead to increase in the hormone cortisol level, which is a significant characteristic of long-term stress. Treatment includes the reduction of stress and aromatherapy.

References

Selye, Hans (1946). The general adaptation syndrome and the diseases of adaptation. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology 6:117-230

Retrieved online on December 2, 2009, from http://www.alternative-doctor.com/allergies/generaladaptationsyndrome.htm