Development of psychosomatic disorders after suffering combat stress

Introduction. Combat stress is characterized by extreme impact on the human mind, the psychological consequences of which are expressed in extreme manifestations in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). With the participation of a large number of people in local armed and interethnic confl icts PTSD can cause health problems, complete or partial disability and lead to social disadaptation.

Goal of research — objective is to identify the main psychosomatic disorders after suffering combat stress.

Materials and methods. 268 men between 21 and 49 years old, combat veterans (main group), and 60 military men of the same age who did not take part in combat operations (control group) were examined. In order to study the disorders of the cardiovascular system in veterans, the following methods were used: ECG monitoring for 12 hours and for 24 hours, blood pressure monitoring, bicycle ergometry, and echocardiography, clinical and biochemical examinations, plain and contrast X-ray examinations, CT imaging of the thoracic and abdominal cavities and pelvic organs, ultrasound of the internal parenchymal organs, endoscopic examination of the hollow organs in order to detect dysadaptation in the gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary zones. Adaptation disorders in the musculoskeletal system were examined with the use of laboratory and instrumental techniques. Changes in the reproductive system were assessed in accordance with the quality of spermogram and the level of the corresponding hormones in the blood serum.

Results. According to the results of the research psychosomatic disorders were observed in almost a half of the examined veterans of military operations. In the period up to 3 years after the effect of combat stress from psychosomatic disorders various manifestations of autonomic dysfunction dominated. Vegetative disorders were combined with affective disorders mainly of anxiety-depressive spectrum. In the period of long-term consequences of combat trauma polysystemic somatic nosological forms were observed due to the failure of compensation mechanisms and generalization of pathological processes. The most important aspect of the development of psychogenic pathology is the gradual loss of specifi city with the transition to nonspecifi c somatic organic pathology. This refl ects the peculiarity of the course of psychosomatic pathology in the form of a subsequent increase in «somatization» and the relevance of the search for methods of treatment.

Conclusion. In this regard osteopathy based on the principles of holism is able to offer unique techniques. It is advisable to study involving of osteopathic doctors in the treatment and rehabilitation of veterans.

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