Cortisol is a hormone that most people have heard of, yet few are able to explain its function other than it being a "stress hormone." Today I will explain a bit about the hormone, its functions and why it's not completely bad to have circulating around the body.
Cortisol is the primary glucocorticoid involved in both glucose metabolism and in response to stress. During periods of stress (particularly new stressors on the body), Cortisol helps the body adapt and maintain normal body functions and metabolism until the stress-induced physiology is exhausted or the stressor is removed. Studies have repeatedly shown that animals can survive without the organs that produce Cortisol and the other adaptation hormones when given doses of these hormones, but they are unable to survive without the hormones themselves.
Levels of Cortisol also fluctuate with the sleep-wake cycle. Normally, there is a sharp increase in Cortisol in the morning which peaks by 8:00 am followed by gradual lowering until midnight. Any physical, mental, environmental, or chemical stress can affect the output levels and timing of Cortisol.
Since the multiple roles of the hormone act on many types of cells (immune, liver, fat, bone and others), the effects of imbalance are many.
Symptoms of Cortisol Excess include: sugar craving, trunk obesity, insulin resistance, weakness, shakiness between meals, irritability, high blood pressure, bruising easily, impotence, oily skin, trouble sleeping and headaches.
Symptoms of Cortisol Deficiency include: chronic weakness and fatigue, weight loss, stress intolerance, alternating diarrhea and constipation, salt craving, dizziness, joint and muscle pain, low blood pressure, and anemia.
Not only can these symptoms prevent you from feeling good, but chronic altered levels of Cortisol can lead to other problems that decrease Calcium absorption, and depletions of B-Vitamins, Vitamin E and Vitamin C.
Does one of those categories sound like you? Don't let your bad-days linger, consider consulting a qualified physician who can test your adrenal hormones and help you with the treatment of these conditions.
Dr. Behnke
References:
1. Lord and Bralley. Laboratory Evaluations for Integrative and Functional Medicine. 2nd Edition. 2008. Duluth, GA.
2. Lee Scung hye, Shin Dong-won and Mark A Stein. Increased Cortisol after Stress is Associated with Variability in Response Time in ADHD Children. Yonsei Med J. 2010;51(2):206-11.
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Great explanation about the function of cortisol. Another way I explain it to my patients is this: if you cannot wake up in the morning (even after a full night of sleep) and get your "second wind" at about 9 or 10 pm, then you are in a reversed cortisol response. This means that you are dangerously close to adrenal burnout.
ReplyDeleteDr. Behnke,
ReplyDeleteI think this month is your month in blogging.
You have posted interesting topics and they are easy to read as a layperson.
You got my attention with this article, because it is unbelievable how many people are not aware about their stress level and more important their cortisol level, but also the question you did: “Cortisol: Is it only about stress?”
When I ask my patients about stress, I have two ways to ask it. During the first consultation, I always like to ask how satisfied they are with their life. It is amazing to see and note how many patients respond, doubt or take time to answer that question. In my clinical experience that question has helped me in giving me an idea of the stress level the patient is living or has been living. The same applies when I salute the patient for the first time. You made me remember my first time I had a patient that did not shake my hand. This patient still comes for her chiropractic treatment and is interested in my nutritional expertise, but as you probably have experienced it, this type of patients are the ones that are tough to coach due to their “dis-stress.”
So, going back to your question, we (human beings) will always be on stress, so our adrenals glands have to be prepared to react. In the past, it was for surviving and I feel it is still in the present, but in another way and it has created us to be in a more constant tension and that will lead to the symptoms you noted. Those cortisol symptoms are hard to deal, not only for the patient, but also for the healthcare provider, because there are many issues to treat, but if those issues, which most of them are physiological reactions, are addressed correctly, the stress can be managed and controlled. It is my belief that the treatment options for those issues have to be the most natural and at least, you and me are doing it through the chiropractic adjustment and personalized nutritional treatment, but let us not forget that the mind has also to be addressed.
Dr. G
Cortisol… my favorite topic. Great blog! Another thing to add, chronic altered levels of coritsol can lead to infertility, mood changes and foggy thinking. These are some symptoms that a patient may identify with. Triggering them to have a conversation with you about their symptoms.
ReplyDeleteI love your writing style. You make things so very easy to understand besides the fact that you pick great topics. Great job. I agree with Dr. Casi's comment as well.
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