desenzibilizacije

Desenzibilizacija is a process by which sensitivity to a specific stimulus is reduced. It can be achieved through gradual exposure, dose titration, or adaptive changes in physiology. The term is used across medicine, psychology and pharmacology to describe methods that increase tolerance and decrease adverse reactions to substances, situations or medical interventions.

In allergology, desenzibilizacija, or allergen immunotherapy, involves giving increasing doses of an allergen over months to years to modify the immune response. Common forms are subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). Benefits include fewer symptoms and reduced dependence on medications for conditions such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, or venom allergy. Risks include local reactions and, less commonly, systemic reactions including anaphylaxis; supervision by trained clinicians is essential.

In psychology, systematic desensitization is a behavioral therapy for phobias and anxiety disorders. It combines relaxation training with graded exposure to feared situations, arranged in a hierarchy. With repeated practice, the learner links the feared stimulus with relaxation rather than distress. Evidence supports its use for specific phobias and some anxiety disorders, though outcomes vary.

In pharmacology, desensitization can refer to reduced receptor responsiveness after repeated exposure to an agonist (tachyphylaxis or receptor desensitization). Mechanisms include receptor phosphorylation, internalization, and changes in signaling. Clinically, desensitization can produce drug tolerance, necessitating dose adjustments or alternative therapies.

Desenzibilizacija thus covers several domains, centered on lowering sensitivity to a trigger through controlled exposure or adaptation.