Explain Recovery or Anabolic Phase of Stress Response?
When wounds are closed and infection has resolved, repletion of lean tissue and fat stores along with restoration of strength and stamina can begin. This final, anabolic phase often begins near the time of hospital discharge and may persist for months before the patient fully recovers and is characterized by building up of body tissue and nutrient stores (anabolism). This phase is also marked by hormonal changes. There is an increase in the release of insulin and growth hormones. The patient's progress to the anabolic phase is important and depends on a number of factors.
Age, severity and duration of the stress, as well as, the individual's prior nutritional status influence tissue growth and anabolism. Attempts to restore body mass and nutritional status rapidly may induce adverse metabolic consequences. Underweight and overweight patients and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to overfeeding, because of the difficulties in assessing true requirements. Patients with ample nutrient stores to draw on during stress are better able to tolerate the negative effects of the stress, especially in case of emergency or unexpected stress. Having learnt about the stress response and its three phases, next let us move on to the study of the stress conditions, namely surgery, bums, trauma and infections, which have a great impact on metabolism.