brenda_goodwin

Stress and Cortisol

Published: May 17th 2024, 2:44:11 pm

Keeping cortisol levels balanced is important. Cortisol is often referred to as the “stress hormone” because levels increase in response to stressful situations. It is a steroid hormone made by the adrenal glands. Not enough cortisol leads to conditions such as Addison’s disease (fatigue, low blood pressure, muscle weakness) while high levels leads to Cushing’s syndrome (high blood pressure, rapid weight gain, osteoporosis). Therefore, keeping stress levels in check throughout the day helps regulate cortisol. Cortisol should be at its highest in the morning and slowly taper off during the day making you tired and ready for bed - part of the body’s circadian rhythm. This is why going to bed and waking at the same times every day helps manage weight loss, immunity, inflammation, and blood pressure.

For my own health, I have to maintain a healthy balance during the day when treating patients (especially NEW patients when the gears in my head run the fastest). If you wonder why doctors just suddenly leave the room and hand you off to an assistant, this might be why….🤔