Post -aggression syndrome is a collective term for the symptoms and processes in the human organism that result from severe injuries, surgical interventions or infections. The phenomenon is synonymously referred to as stress metabolism or resorption metabolism . Post-aggression syndrome is primarily characterized by increased metabolism.
What is Post Aggression Syndrome?
The course of the post-aggression syndrome is usually divided into four sections. The first phase of the injury lasts between two and four days. During this time the patient feels pain, severe thirst and suffers from depressive moods. This is followed by the so-called turning phase. See howsmb for Bone Inflammation Definition and Meaning.
During this period, life functions such as blood pressure, body temperature, pulse, breathing, digestion and hunger gradually return to normal. The duration of the subsequent anabolic phase is between two and three weeks. During this time, the patient’s mood gradually returns to the original emotional state.
People feel an increased need to sleep. In addition, the balance of nitrogen in the body is positive, so that protein is built up again. In the last section, the convalescence phase, the patient regains body weight. In addition, physical performance normalizes.
Causes
Post-aggression syndrome evolved over the course of human evolutionary history. The typical course of reaction to traumatic physical events has a beneficial effect on the chances of survival. This applies primarily to people who are relatively young. Post-aggression syndrome keeps blood pressure at an appropriate level, allowing the person to survive the stressful situation.
Thus, the organism remains alive despite potential losses of blood or water. In addition, the body switches to the so-called catabolic metabolism. This special metabolism initially improves the success of fight or flight behavior in humans. In addition, this supports processes for the repair of organic tissue.
The post-aggression syndrome is triggered by various factors that interact with each other and also intensify each other. The main causes are fear, pain, loss of fluids and injuries to body tissue.
Symptoms, Ailments & Signs
Post-aggression syndrome is characterized by various processes in the human body that proceed according to a set scheme. Initially, numerous hormones are produced and released in the affected patient. These primarily include adrenaline, cortisol, noradrenaline and glucagon. Growth hormones also play an important role.
These hormones increase blood pressure and heart rate, for example. They also ensure that energy is quickly available to the body from appropriate reserves. These mechanisms and responses greatly increase the affected person’s chance of survival. In evolutionary terms, they serve to support the flight or fight response of humans.
The body uses various nutrients to implement these processes of post-aggression syndrome. Proteins are broken down by increased proteolysis, while fatty acids are made available by increased lipolysis. The situation is similar with the substances glucose and glycogen, which the body needs for the energy supply. At the same time, the release of insulin is reduced.
As a result, the level of glucose in the blood increases. Glucose provides the human organism with new energy very quickly. In addition, there is a lack of blood volume due to the loss of blood and other fluids from the body. These are either lost to the outside or spill into the intestines or edema.
Various stress hormones result in the so-called renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. The associated retention of water and the nutrient potassium increases blood pressure.
Diagnosis & course of disease
The diagnosis of post-aggression syndrome is usually not difficult. Because the phenomenon represents a typical reaction of the human body and is part of the everyday life of numerous doctors. The post-aggression syndrome can be diagnosed primarily on the basis of the catabolic metabolism and disturbances in the hormonal balance and the cardiovascular system.
Patients with post-aggression syndrome initially suffer from fatigue and physical weakness as well as a pronounced feeling of thirst. There is also oliguria, vasoconstriction, and tachypnea. Due to the increased concentration of cortisol, the immune system of the affected people is weakened. Many people suffer from hypertension and tachycardia.
Complications
Post-aggression syndrome can lead to death. In this case, clinical death occurs first, which is characterized by a standstill of the circulatory system. Both breathing and the pulse of the main artery are absent. This complication requires immediate action. Resuscitation may be possible.
First responders can also try cardiopulmonary resuscitation, which consists of vigorous chest compressions and ventilation. This measure will continue until the emergency doctor arrives. The first responder should also mention any injuries to the injured or unconscious person.
Another possible complication of post-aggression syndrome is medical shock. Shock is also life-threatening and can progress to cardiac arrest. Shock is characterized by a lack of oxygen in the tissues of the body. The oxygen saturation of the blood is measured as standard in intensive care medicine and during operations so that doctors can react quickly to deviations.
When should you go to the doctor?
Post-aggression syndrome does not necessarily require medical treatment. If the syndrome does not cause serious symptoms, it usually resolves on its own without the need for further action. However, if severe symptoms such as tachycardia or severe thirst occur, medical advice is required. Patients in intensive care should inform the responsible doctor if the above symptoms occur. The symptoms can be alleviated by balancing the fluid, electrolyte and acid-base balance.
If cardiac arrest occurs, the emergency services must be called. The person concerned must be treated immediately and must spend a few days in the hospital. Further visits to the doctor are necessary if the therapy does not have the desired effect. If not already done, the cause of post-aggression syndrome needs to be determined. Patients should see their family doctor or a cardiologist. A specialist in hormonal diseases can also be involved in the treatment so that any hormonal causes can be determined or ruled out.
Treatment & Therapy
Post-aggression syndrome should be taken into account when treating injuries or serious infectious diseases. The measures must be carefully weighed up and implemented, especially in older patients. Post-aggression syndrome, for example, is treated with medication to relieve pain. In addition, the affected persons receive infusion therapy and are sedated if necessary.
In particularly severe cases, patients receive blood transfusions and proteins. The electrolyte balance is also strictly controlled. Special caution should be exercised in patients undergoing intensive care therapy. A nutritional treatment is initially omitted. Instead, the electrolyte balance is largely normalized in the first step.
Various complications are possible in connection with the post-aggression syndrome, which primarily arise when the metabolic situation fails to normalize. In such cases, post-aggression syndrome may lead to shock and circulatory collapse, resulting in death of the patient.
Prevention
Concrete measures to prevent post-aggression syndrome do not exist. Post-aggression syndrome makes sense from an evolutionary perspective and increases people’s chances of survival after traumatic injury. It is therefore important to treat the traumata in a way that is adapted to the post-aggression syndrome and the individual case.
Aftercare
During aftercare, it is important to stabilize the mental balance and build up physical well-being. Those affected should ensure that they consume enough non-alcoholic fluids and normalize their electrolyte balance. A harmoniously balanced acid-base menu helps the body to take care of itself in a short time.
This is especially true for patients who have received a blood transfusion and proteins as a result of the disease. Elderly patients in particular, who are being cared for in intensive care medicine, need comprehensive assistance and support from friends, family and the nursing team. In addition to regular clarification between the patient and doctor about their physical and psychological condition, those affected should also deal with their clinical picture in detail in self-help groups. This can make dealing with the disease much easier.
It is important to have the electrolyte balance checked by a doctor at certain intervals. During the convalescence phase, those affected have a strong need for rest and sleep. That should be indulged until normalization efficiency. Stress and physical exertion should also be avoided. It is also advisable for those affected to deal with positive things.
This can be done within the self-help group and privately. If no self-help group is used, psychotherapeutic therapy should be sought so that subsequent complications do not arise in the first place. An optimistic attitude towards life supports and strengthens the healing process.
You can do that yourself
In the case of post-aggression syndrome, it is important to stabilize and build up mental strength. The person concerned should inform themselves comprehensively about the course of the syndrome. After just a few days, there is an improvement in health, so that it is often necessary to overcome the time before the symptoms are automatically alleviated.
A fundamentally positive attitude towards life and developments helps to overcome the syndrome. The psyche is supported with optimism and confidence. For many of those affected, this leads to an improvement in the overall situation. In addition, trust in the treating doctor or the nursing team is of great importance. Open communication and the clarification of existing questions is advisable for good cooperation. In exchange with other patients or people who have had similar experiences, the person concerned can receive tips and information on how to deal with the situation. Individual experiences are passed on to those seeking advice in self-help groups or Internet forums. The reports are intended to help others
Overexertion of any kind should be avoided. The physical stress limits are reduced and should be observed by those affected. This avoids complications and contributes to faster regeneration.
