Stressdiagnostics
Stressprofile BASIC:
Easy handling - quick results - informative findings
Six out of ten people in Germany were stressed – whether at work or in their private life (TK Stressstudie 2016). Many know exactly how stressed they feel. Nevertheless, the physical stress system signal often correlates only weakly with the subjective feeling. Similar to measuring blood pressure or heart rate, an analysis of the stress hormone cortisol in saliva can provide valuable information about your body.
Therefore, the Saliva Lab Trier has developed in collaboration with the StressCenter Trier the BASIC Stress Profile, which offers the measurement of this stress hormone in a handy kit. The so-called cortisol awakening reaction (CAR) is determined – the morning increase in cortisol release within the first hour after awakening. The CAR in saliva serves as a scientifically recognized method for assessing the activity and reactivity of cortisol release (Hellhammer, J., Fries, E., Schweisthal, O.W., Schlotz, W., Stone, A.A. Hagemann, D. (2007). Several daily measurements are necessary to reliably assess the cortisol rise after awakening: State and trait components. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 32: 80-86) and serves as a marker for chronic stress (Stalder et al., 2016). By providing the BASIC Stress Profile, interested parties can easily assess their stress profile non-invasively at home or on the go.
The BASIC Stress Profile contains eight saliva samples in a box for two morning measurements, respectively immediately after awakening, 30 minutes, 45 minutes and 60 minutes later. Descriptive instructions and important information are described in the specially developed BASIC Stress Profile kit. On the back of the kit, you will find additional information on the salivary biomarker and stress hormone cortisol. The report is usually transferred within 2 to 3 working days after samples arrive at the Saliva Lab Trier and summarizes the results graphically, including general explanations. Chronic or particularly severe stress can lead to an increased or suppressed CAR and thus promote long-term health issues and illnesses, e.g. metabolic, cardiovascular or negatively impacting general well-being. Therefore, the CAR has established itself as a biomarker for chronic stress and specific stress related diseases.