[Physiological reaction to chronic and traumatic stress]

Occupational stress may be evoked by chronic (e.g. psycho-social factors) or traumatic stressors. Both kinds of stressors induce physiological reactions of the human body. If an occupational health physician is aware of them, it is much easier for him to organize activities with the aim to prevent stress in the work environment. The determination of physiological reactions to chronic stressors may be useful in assessing stressogenic traits of various jobs, understanding morbid effect of stress and recognising persons oversensitive to occupational stress. Physiological examinations of traumatic stress render it possible to identify the mechanism responsible for the development of disorders resulting from traumatic stress, provide indicators for an objective diagnosis of this disorders and help to distinguish and assess their long-term effects which may persist after a subsidence of acute symptoms.