Cortisol and Stress
Cortisol is a hormone produced by the body as a reaction to stress. The body utilizes cortisol to handle elevated stress levels. Physicians may sometimes evaluate a patient’s corisol levels to determine the level of stress a patient experiences regularly. Those who suffer from frequent periods of prolonged stress often display increased cortisol levels.
Cortisol at Work in the Body
Imagine a perfectly healthy man gets in a car accident. Upon impact, the body automatically enters crisis mode, immediately signaling the brain to produce increased levels of cortisol. These concentrated amounts of cortisol allow the body to efficiently manage and respond to high levels of stress. After several days, the body’s cortisol production should gradually decrease as the man’s stress levels decline.
However, if the stress does not subside after several days, the body will effectively “pull the plug” on cortisol production, in order to prevent the body from poisoning itself. As cortisol production levels shut down, the body is denied the chemicals necessary to cope with stress. For those who struggle through regular, sustained periods of high-stress, their adrenal glands are eventually exhausted from the constant demand to produce high levels of cortisol.
Feeling the Effects of Adrenal Fatigue
Many of our patients recall when they first observed symptoms of adrenal fatigue, describing the feeling as though they had “hit a wall.” Cortisol is not only responsible for helping the body cope with stress; it impacts a variety of functions and processes, including maintaining metabolic functions, regulating blood sugar, sustaining energy levels, reducing inflammation, and boosting the immune system. It is essential to maintain adequate cortisol levels to ensure optimum health. If your body fails to produce sufficient levels of cortisol, you will feel tired, and may develop a disease called Addison’s disease. If your body produces excessive amounts of cortisol, you can develop an under-functioning immune system, resulting in ulcers, rapid aging, and weight gain (particularly belly fat). Simply put, if you suffer adrenal fatigue, you’re likely to feel it all over the body.
