Stress hormone in the blood - I wanted the best, but it turned out as always

A person faces stressful situations every day. The body responds to them by increasing hormone levels. Among them are adrenaline, norepinephrine, cortisol, prolactin and others.

Under the influence of these substances, the functioning of internal organs, metabolic processes, and biochemical reactions change. In this way the body protects itself or adapts.

Long-term exposure to stress factors contributes to endocrine disorders - gonadal dysfunction, obesity, Graves' disease and others. Stress provokes an exacerbation of pathologies of the endocrine system - thyroid crisis, adrenal insufficiency.

General concept of stress

The term stress in medicine refers to an unfavorable, negative impact load on the human body, leading to various psychological and physiological reactions.

From the point of view of morphological and functional development, stress is characterized by an adaptation syndrome, which has three stages:

• The first stage is the alarm reaction
  . The body's normal resistance decreases, a state of shock occurs, during which a person loses the ability to partially or completely control his actions and thoughts. At the first stage, protective mechanisms are also included in the work.
• The second stage of resistance or otherwise resistance
  . The tension observed during the functioning of all vital systems leads to the fact that the body begins to adapt (adapt) to new conditions. At this stage, the individual can already make decisions that should help him cope with stress.
• The third stage is exhaustion
  . It manifests itself as a failure of defense mechanisms, which ultimately leads to a pathological disruption in the interaction of particularly important functions of the body. If stress moves into the third stage, then it becomes chronic, capable of giving impetus to the development of many diseases.

The severity of stress is determined by the severity of the main symptoms, these are:

• Physiological manifestations
  . Stress leads to headaches, pain in the chest, back, changes in blood pressure, and redness in certain areas of the body. Long-term stressful situations cause eczema, atopic dermatitis, and gastric ulcers.
• Psychological manifestations
  . Decreased appetite, increased nervousness and irritability, decreased interest in life, rapid excitability, constant anticipation of possible troubles, nervous tics, depressive states are psychological manifestations of stress.

In psychology, there are two types of stress:

• Eustress or stress that is “beneficial” for the body. The development of the human body is impossible without the influence of minor stressful situations. Getting up in the morning, hobbies, studying, meeting with loved ones - all this leads to the production of stress hormones, but if their amount is within the normal range, then this only benefits the body.
• Distress or negative stress. They arise at a moment of critical stress in the body and their manifestations correspond to all traditional ideas about stress.

When is cortisol bad for me?

Cortisol is generally the most important stress hormone in the body. Without cortisol, you will not be able to work under stress. The adrenaline rush releases true happiness, doesn't it? Problems begin when cortisol levels no longer decrease, meaning the energy that was provided will not be expended.

Cortisol is like fire. You can really use it to get the most out of it, but at the same time it can burn through fuel quickly.

This happens when you don't feel relaxed and you are constantly stressed. To benefit from cortisol, this interaction between tension and relaxation must work smoothly. This means that the higher the tension, the deeper the relaxation should be. If cortisol levels increase in the long term, it can even lead to illness.

Cortisol also has a major impact on blood sugar levels and interacts closely with the hormones insulin and glucagon. This is necessary to provide quick energy. But with prolonged stress, it can lead to insulin resistance and increased fat storage, especially in the abdominal area.

The muscles are destroyed first and energy is produced. When the arms and legs are very thin, the weight on the stomach increases greatly.

What causes stress?

The human body enters a state of stress under the influence of events occurring at work, in personal life, and in society.

Stress is often experienced by those who find themselves in emergency situations. In stressful situations, identical biochemical changes occur in the body, their main goal is to relieve the growing tension.

Stressful changes in the body occur with the participation of two systems, these are:

• Sympathoadrenal system.
• Pituitary-hypothalamic-adrenal.

Their work is controlled by the hypothalamus and higher parts of the brain, and intense work leads to the release of certain substances called stress hormones.

The task of these hormones is to mobilize the body’s physical resources in order to extinguish the influence of factors that cause stress.

When does cortisol stop you from losing weight?

Do you want to pump up your abs or lose a few kilograms? This can also translate into stress, which in turn means more cortisol is released. Not only does it provide energy, but it also suppresses many other processes, such as digestion and the immune system - all to stay focused on fight and flight.

Do you really want abs? Then avoid stress!

Deceit is still the second point: especially during stressful periods when you eat food and resort to fast food and sweets. Because your brain has learned that stress requires energy. And anything that has a lot of calories will deliver it in very large quantities. You can hardly burn them. It's no surprise that stressful phases leave their mark on the thighs.

The mechanism of production and effect of stress hormone on the woman’s body

The hormonal background of the blood is updated throughout the day, especially during sleep. In the morning, the cortisol level is 101.2–535.7 nmol/l and is the highest. In the evening, the levels decrease to 79.0–477.8 nmol/l.

Under its influence, fats are broken down, glucose is formed and an energy reserve is formed for the whole day.

Particular attention is paid to cortisol levels in women, as it affects body weight, mood and the immune system.

The hypothalamus reacts to stress by producing corticoliberin, which affects the pituitary gland. Next, corticotropin is released, which will stimulate the production of cortisol by the adrenal cortex.

When produced normally, the stress hormone helps to survive an unpleasant situation.

But under the influence of excessive nervous tension, too much of it is produced, a woman gains additional strength, her thinking speeds up, in a stressful situation some ideas quickly arise to solve a particular problem, and immunity increases. This is its function, namely, to mobilize energy reserves in extraordinary situations.

Cortisol is responsible for maintaining normal blood sugar levels, stabilizes brain activity, and has anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, and immunosuppressive effects.

If stress affects a person for a long time, cortisol exhibits its reverse effect, which is why it is called the “death hormone.”

If the level of cortisol is higher than normal, then this may indicate metabolic disorders, water-salt balance, which, in turn, leads to increased blood pressure and weight gain, since excess amounts of it increase appetite. In more severe situations, increased levels of the stress hormone cause depression, diabetes, brain tumors, ectopic syndrome, and liver cirrhosis.

Reduced cortisol in men

Reasons for the downgrade

The reasons for low cortisol levels in men are diseases of the adrenal glands, tumors, and inflammation in the brain, which affect the synthesis of ACHT (pituitary hormone) and CRH (hypothalamic hormone).

Abrupt withdrawal of glucocorticoids with reduced production of ACHT, irradiation, and removal of the adrenal glands also lead to a decrease in the concentration of the hormone. There is a group of drugs that artificially suppress cortisol synthesis.

Symptoms of decline

With decreased cortisol, the following are observed:

• weight loss;
• decreased blood pressure;
• dizziness;
• headache;
• lack of appetite;
• changing states of constipation and diarrhea;
• pain in the upper abdomen;
• emotional instability;
• decrease in glucose concentration (hypoglycemic state).

Treatment for Low Cortisol

To increase the level of the substance, hormonal therapy is prescribed with an individually selected dosage, and symptomatic therapeutic measures are carried out.

Cortisol forms the protective reaction of the male body in stressful situations. Deviations of the hormone from the norm lead to the development of pathologies .

Causes and symptoms of changes in hormone levels

Factors that contribute to a constant increase in cortisol levels in the body:

1. Stress. This is the main reason for the increased production of the hormone in question. This category should also include physical activity, which is a stress indicator for the body.
2. Hunger. If blood glucose levels are significantly reduced, cortisol takes its place. This is especially true for women who adhere to strict diets.
3. Caffeine. It increases the level of stress hormone in the body. The higher the cortisol level, the less the effect of coffee will be, so it leads to addiction.

Symptoms that directly or indirectly indicate an increase in stress hormone in the body:

1. Rapid loss of muscle mass and weight gain. Fat deposition in the abdominal area is typical.
2. Decreased immune system function.
3. Increased heart rate. Cortisol constricts blood vessels, increases blood pressure and affects the rhythm and heart rate.
4. Disturbances in the digestive system. Elevated cortisol levels negatively affect gastrointestinal motility.
5. Sleep disorders.
6. Increased sweating.

Direct indications for taking a test for the presence of cortisol in the blood are excessive hair growth on the face and arms, inability to get pregnant, thrush, which often recurs, and irregular menstruation.

Hormone levels in the blood

In order to analyze the synthesis of cortisol, three blood or saliva samples are required during the day. This is done in order to compare the morning reading and the evening reading. In the morning, cortisol levels are approximately forty-five units higher than in the evening.

The hormone norm for each age category will be different. In children it is less and ranges from 80 to 600 nmol/liter. The older a person is, the more diseases acquired over the years. This factor will affect the level of cortisol secreted by the adrenal glands, and it will be approximately from 140 to 650 nmol/liter. For a pregnant woman, the normal level of the stress hormone cortisol will be three to five times higher. In cases of deviation to a greater or lesser extent, there is a reason for further consultation with a doctor.

Stages of stress

Any living creature tries to adapt to environmental conditions. The Canadian scientist Selye proved in 1936 that with extremely strong exposure, the human body refuses to adapt. Thus, three stages of stress were identified, depending on a person’s hormonal background:

1. Anxiety. This is the preparatory stage, during which a powerful release of hormones occurs. The body prepares for defense or flight.
2. Resistance. The person becomes aggressive, irritable, and begins to fight the disease.
3. Exhaustion. During the struggle, all reserve energy reserves were used up. The body loses its ability to resist, and psychosomatic disorders begin, including deep depression or death.

The effect of stress on humans

Studying stress and human health, scientists came to the conclusion that the more often people experience negative emotions, the more often they get sick, and the worse their relationships with others become.

Impact of stress on health

Stress directly affects the health of the human body. The work of internal organs and systems is suppressed, and a feeling of depression appears.

The influence of stress on human health has various manifestations, the main of which are:

• headaches that do not have a characteristic localization;
• chronic lack of sleep and insomnia;
• functional disorders of the cardiovascular system: bradycardia,
• arterial hypertension, myocardial infarction;
• impaired concentration, increased fatigue, decreased performance;
• gastrointestinal tract disorders: gastritis, ulcers, dyspepsia of neurotic origin;
• oncological problems are getting worse;
• decreased immunity, as a result of which the body may be susceptible to viral infection;
• disruption of neuroendocrine regulation, irregular production of hormones, leads to the development of osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus or other metabolic diseases;
• degeneration of brain tissue, muscle rigidity or atony; Alcohol or drug addiction may appear.

Impact of stress on work

Monotonous monotonous work, constant emotional tone lead to the fact that performance begins to decline, and constant fatigue is felt.

Signs of overwork directly manifest themselves at work:

• regular erroneous actions;
• desire to sleep: yawning, eyes closing;
• lack of appetite;
• migraine, headache
• eye pain;
• wandering nature of thoughts, lack of concentration;
• unwillingness to continue working.

Fatigue tends to accumulate; if you do not help your body fight stress, your level of performance may decrease irrevocably.

The impact of stress on the psyche

A person’s mood directly depends on a person’s hormonal background. The anti-stress hormone is responsible for the correct psychological mood in the body. Cortisol helps you move towards your goal, gives you strength and motivation to take action. The level of the hormone in the blood varies depending on the emotional mood of a person and his plans for the near future.

If the body is in a stressful state, then psychologically it cannot adequately respond to the actions taking place around it. This manifests itself in inflated demands on oneself and the people around you. Calmness is lost, internal balance is disturbed, as a result of which apathy towards life appears.

Consequences of psycho-emotional disorders:

• depletion of mental strength leads to neuroses, depression and other mental illnesses;
• loss of interest in life, lack of any desires;
• disturbances in sleep and wakefulness patterns;
• emotional instability: attacks of aggression, outbursts of anger, irritability;
• internal feeling of anxiety.

Family and environment

Being in an inadequate state, a person is not able to build full-fledged relationships with the people around him. Conflicts especially often arise with family members.

The patient may become suspicious. In such cases, obsessive ideas arise that loved ones want to kill him, betray him, or use him for their own interests.

Focusing on your own experiences can make you show indifference to relatives.

Pregnancy

During the period of bearing a child, the female nervous system becomes more vulnerable. The woman feels fear of the upcoming birth and fears for the health of the fetus. However, the more often a pregnant woman experiences negative emotions, the higher the likelihood of:

1. Miscarriage. Anxiety leads to an increase in the tone of the muscles of the uterus, causing its active contractions. The most detrimental effect of stress on the body of the expectant mother is in the first trimester. Due to changes in hormonal levels, the implantation (introduction) of the embryo into the uterus is disrupted.
2. Increased toxicosis. Mild nausea may intensify, become around the clock and turn into vomiting.
3. Freezing of the fetus.

Childhood stress

Adrenaline, like growth hormone and many other hormones, is also present in the child’s body. Situations in which this hormone is released into the blood occur almost daily.

The causes of emotional upheaval can be separation from parents, conflicts between close relatives, the need to learn new skills, etc.

It is impossible for children to avoid stressful situations. Moreover, many of them become the cause of psychological problems in the future. This is the main danger of negative experiences. For example, if in the presence of a girl her father beat her mother, when she becomes an adult, the girl will experience fear of men and not trust them.

Positive effects of stress

Even though stress affects our body negatively, in some cases it is necessary for the human body.

Emotional experiences are needed when you are in an extreme situation. They help mobilize the hidden resources of our body and save lives.

If a stressful situation is caused by joyful events, the person experiences eustress.

This state occurs when meeting loved ones, after winning the lottery, after the birth of a long-awaited child, during a wedding, etc.

The positive impact of stress on us is manifested in:

• raising vitality;
• slight increase in blood pressure;
• blood oxygen saturation;
• improving metabolic processes;
• the appearance of euphoria;
• increasing immunity.

Stressful experiences should be short-lived. Only in this case will they be useful.

Signs

Symptoms of stress depend on several factors, such as the state of a person’s psyche, the stage of the pathological process, and the strength of the negative impact. Signs of stress are divided into physical and psychological. The most pronounced psychological symptoms in their manifestations are:

• The occurrence of causeless anxiety.
• Internal tension.
• Constant dissatisfaction.
• Constantly bad mood, depression.
• Decreased interest in work, personal life, and loved ones.

Physical symptoms may include extreme fatigue, sleep disturbances, weight loss, irritability, or apathy.

Women during pregnancy and after childbirth may experience stress urinary incontinence, that is, its spontaneous release when coughing, sneezing, etc.

Urinary incontinence after stress is also observed in young children.

It is necessary to exclude an increased level of prolactin in the body if:

• Infertility.
• Miscarriages in the first weeks of pregnancy.
• Galactorrhea, that is, when milk is released from the nipples.
• Frigidity and decreased libido.
• Acne and hirsutism.
• Menstrual cycle disorders.
• Increased appetite, which can cause obesity.

With prolonged production of prolactin, the structure of the cells that produce this hormone changes, and as a result, a tumor begins to grow - prolactinoma.

This tumor compresses the optic nerve and negatively affects the nervous system.

Its main symptoms are decreased visual acuity, sleep disturbances, and depression.

A chronic increase in cortisol can be assumed based on the following signs:

• Weight gain with regular exercise and a balanced diet.
• Increased heart rate. High cortisol levels cause blood vessels to constrict, leading to an increased heart rate even at rest.
• Nervousness that occurs even without any particular reason.
• Decreased libido.
• Frequent sweating and frequent urination.
• Insomnia
• Depressive state.

Manifestations of increased stress hormones sometimes lead to severe and not always reversible changes.

In some cases, people prefer to cope with stress themselves, muffling psycho-emotional manifestations with alcohol, drug use, and gambling.

What hormones are stress hormones?

These include adrenaline, norepinephrine, cortisol, prolactin. They have positive and negative properties on the human body.

Catecholamines (adrenaline and norepinephrine)

Catecholamines are formed from a special amino acid (tyrosine) in the adrenal medulla. A stress hormone such as norepinephrine is produced at the endings of the sympathetic nerves and is a precursor to adrenaline.

Under stress, these hormones are released into the bloodstream, form complexes with proteins and are transported to various organs and tissues (heart, spleen, skeletal muscles). There they are destroyed within a short time. Thus, adrenaline and norepinephrine are short-lived compounds and circulate in the blood for several minutes.

Catecholamines have the following biological actions:

• Adrenaline increases and norepinephrine decreases heart rate.
• Increase systolic blood pressure and minute blood volume.
• It has a vasoconstrictor effect on the vessels of the skin and liver.
• They dilate the arteries of the heart, lungs and brain.
• Reduces the tone of the bronchi, uterus and intestinal motility.
• Dilate the pupil.
• Increases oxygen consumption by tissues and increases body temperature.
• Stimulates an increase in blood sugar concentration and excitability of the cerebral cortex.

Adrenaline is considered the fear hormone. Its increase is observed in any stressful situations. This activates memory, attention, and encourages a person to fight. The adrenaline rush usually ends in euphoria, which is felt as an increase in mood, an affective positive emotion.

Norepinephrine does not cause such feelings. It is called the rage hormone. The release of norepinephrine causes redness of the skin, increased motor activity, and dulls pain.

Cortisol

Large amounts of the stress hormone cortisol are synthesized during severe pain, anxiety, stressful situations, and infections. Cortisol is a corticosteroid hormone produced in the stratum fasciculata of the adrenal cortex. Normally, the highest level of cortisol in the blood is observed in the morning.

Its main effects are:

• Significantly increases protein breakdown in muscles.
• Stimulation of the process of gluconeogenesis (glucose formation).
• Breakdown of fats into glycerol and fatty acids.
• Activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, sodium retention and potassium loss.
• Anti-inflammatory effect.
• Increased production of platelets and red blood cells, decreased leukocytes in peripheral blood.
• Suppression of autoimmune reactions and any inflammatory processes.

When cortisol is elevated, the patient experiences tachycardia and blood pressure increases. At the same time, it improves vascular tone and prevents blood pressure from increasing to critical levels.

Its main side effects are:

• Increases the risk of developing diabetes and obesity.
• It has a negative effect on muscle tissue, as it catalyzes the breakdown of proteins.
• Reduces collagen production, which leads to the rapid appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin.

Under stress, it is the increased level of cortisol that contributes to the “seizing of the problem.” Organs and tissues that have not received additional energy due to glucose not wasted by the muscles force a person to eat pastries, sweets, and cakes.

Prolactin

Normally, there is a certain cyclicity in the production of this hormone. Its maximum amount is produced during sleep. The level of prolactin in the blood increases with any stress.

Its functions include:

• Enhances the growth of breast tissue and the production of breast milk.
• Promotes the synthesis of progesterone and the formation of the corpus luteum in the ovaries.
• Affects water-salt metabolism and causes water retention in the body.
• Stimulates erythropoiesis.
• Contributes to the formation of maternal instinct.
• Causes an increase in body weight.
• Regulates sexual function in men.
• Increases immunity.

During stress, this hormone accelerates metabolic processes, mental functions, and increases protein synthesis.

Generation and functions of hydrocortisone

One of the most important endocrine organs in humans is the adrenal glands.
They are located on the upper poles of both kidneys. The functioning of this organ determines how adequately a person reacts to stressful situations and how quickly he can adapt in unfavorable conditions. In the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex, glucocorticoids are formed - hormones that suppress allergic and immune reactions, reducing the level of inflammation in the body. One of them is cortisol.

Cortisol is the most important participant in carbohydrate metabolism in the body. Its main function is considered to be the conservation of energy even in sudden stressful situations.

The hormone stimulates the breakdown of glucose in order to store glycogen in the human liver. It is these energy resources that are consumed during times of increased danger.

Functions of cortisol:

1. Preservation of glucose in muscles while activating its breakdown in other organs. This function will allow you to activate your muscles as much as possible when it is necessary to react physically to circumstances: fight in self-defense or quickly leave a dangerous place or run away.
2. Normalizing blood pressure with an increased heart rate is another protective function of the hormone. This will minimize the likelihood of a heart attack during times of stress.
3. Thoughts become clearer and brain function is activated. The action of the hormone promotes maximum mental concentration on the problem that has arisen.
4. Cortisol normalizes the functioning of the liver, is a natural hypoallergenic and anti-inflammatory substance that reduces the body's immune response to external irritants.
5. As the baby develops in the womb, cortisol is involved in the formation of the baby's lungs.

Cortisol is increased in women (the reasons for this fact may be physiological) in the early morning hours from 6.00 to 8.00 am. During this period, the cortisol level is 2-5 times higher than the evening level.

Under normal circumstances, the concentration of the hormone gradually decreases throughout the day. At midnight, the lowest concentration of this hormone in the blood is observed. Sleeping during the day causes a temporary increase in the concentration of the substance immediately after waking up.

The range of normal levels of cortisol in the blood has a fairly wide range and varies depending on the age and individual characteristics of the person.

A normal level of cortisol in urine will be between 28.5 and 213.7 mcg per day. The upper permissible value of the indicator in morning saliva is 19.1 nmol/l; for evening analysis, the maximum permissible cortisol level is 9.4 nmol/l.

This hormone, also called stress hormone, helps the body mobilize energy in an emergency and difficult situation. Its action is based on an increase in adrenaline, which allows you to switch consciousness and fully focus on the source of danger, changing metabolism so that glucose becomes more available.

Fasting, excessive coffee consumption, stress and other negative factors are perceived by cortisol as a dangerous situation, as a result of which its level remains constantly high. A chronic excess of stress hormone exhausts the body, causing various problems with well-being and health.

Starvation. When the body does not receive nutrients from the outside, glucose levels drop sharply and cortisol production increases.

Stress. Forces the body to use all available energy to get out of the current situation. Cortisol helps to cope with this. And if in the short term this has a positive effect, then over a long period of time it is simply exhausting.

Sports activities. Any manifestation of physical activity introduces the body into a certain stress. The longer and more often the workout, the higher cortisol rises.

Coffee. Drinking a cup of this drink for several hours increases the concentration of cortisol by about 30%. If coffee and similar stimulants are drunk constantly, the level of the hormone goes off scale to the maximum. Stress and constant lack of sleep make the situation worse.

The stress hormone is produced by the adrenal glands at times of physiological or psychological stress. The raw material for its production is cholesterol. After an intense workout at the fitness center, the hormone cortisol is elevated. Its generation concentrates all the forces of the body and mobilizes them to solve an emergency problem.

The substance is present in the body in 2 forms - bound hydrocortisone and unbound. The bound hormone does not take part in body processes and is a reserve for the rapid release of the substance in a stressful situation. Unbound cortisol in the blood performs basic functions during periods of stress.

Under the influence of the hormone, the generation of adrenaline increases, the glucose content in the body increases, and metabolism is stimulated. That is, cortisol, as an assistant, helps a person cope with unusual circumstances. But constantly elevated cortisol can harm a person. Let's look at how to reduce cortisol levels below.

In women, during a stressful situation, along with hydrocortisone, the volume of prolactin increases. This is a sex hormone, but it is intensely produced in extreme situations. When prolactin is increased beyond measure, it leads to ovulation disorders, loss of the ability to get pregnant, mastopathy, fibrosis and other troubles. Cortisol and prolactin are produced in the same cases. Women struggle with increases in both hormones.

The functions of hydrocortisone include:

• Metabolism stimulation;
• Concentrating on a stressful situation;
• Expansion of the bronchial passages;
• Promoting an increase in blood pressure;
• Decreased digestive processes;
• Increased body production of glucose;
• Increased heart rate.

The release of cortisol inhibits all currently irrelevant processes in the body, and functions associated with coping with stress are activated. The substance successfully suppresses inflammatory processes and allergic reactions that make it difficult to cope with an emergency situation. This is why it is so important to reduce hormone levels.

High cortisol levels are achieved by redirecting the main blood flow from organs that are not involved in solving a stressful problem to the organs that are involved in solving them. At the same time, the production of glucose, which is a source of energy for humans, increases. Fats (triglycerides) are broken down into fatty acids, which are broken down into simpler substances, also releasing energy.

When a person experiences constant stress in the family or at work, loads himself with physical exercise beyond measure and without the supervision of a trainer, he risks constantly having excess cortisol. The following signs indicate the presence of a similar problem:

1. Constant feeling of weakness. The feeling does not go away even with a small daily load. This occurs as a result of the breakdown of proteins in the body.
2. Problems with the cardiovascular system, high blood pressure. A hypertensive crisis may even occur.
3. Gaining excess weight, thickening your waist, swelling - all these are signs of high cortisol. This is due to sodium retention in the body, which is promoted by hydrocortisone.
4. Blocking the body's immune action. Under the influence of hydrocortisone, lymphocytes do not produce antibodies.
5. Deterioration of sexuality and reproduction of women. Under the influence of the described substance, less female sex hormones and androgens are produced. The lady begins to experience disruptions in her menstrual cycle. Her body is exposed to excessive hair growth (face, back, chest, limbs).
6. Blood sugar levels increase. At the same time, the body's ability to respond to insulin decreases. This threatens with a complex of problems - diabetes, hypertension, heart and vascular diseases, extra pounds, and so on.
7. The work of the gastrointestinal tract is inhibited.
8. Difficulty falling asleep, chronic neurasthenia.
9. Memory impairment, absent-mindedness, learning disability. This is caused by the gradual destruction of the hypothalamus by hydrocortisone.

There are many symptoms of elevated cortisol. All of these problems significantly reduce the quality of life. A person develops a bunch of diseases. To prevent this from happening, you need to fight cortisol under the guidance of an endocrinologist. How to normalize the indicator depends on the reasons for its increase.

Elevated cortisol levels (hypercortisolism) can be caused by lifestyle, circumstances, or may be a consequence of certain diseases. Reasons not related to pathologies include:

• Long-term psychological stress or constantly recurring stress;
• Working out in the gym with exercises that put too much stress on the body;
• Uncontrolled use of medications that affect hormonal balance (this includes, but is not limited to, contraceptives, Prednisolone and other medications);
• The state of pregnancy, when all substances are produced taking into account the need for them by the mother and child;
• Obesity;
• Unbalanced carbohydrate diet.

All these situations are signs of increased hydrocortisone. The reasons for increased cortisol may also be due to diseases:

• A tumor formation in the pituitary gland that can increase or decrease the production of hormones;
• Adenoma in the adrenal glands, which can become a source of excessive hormone generation;
• Enlarged adrenal glands;
• Oncological diseases;
• Increased secretion of hormones by the thyroid gland, causing stress;
• AIDS;
• Anorexia.

Consequences of elevated cortisol and prolactin levels

More negative changes in the body occur if there is constantly a large amount of cortisol or prolactin in the blood.

If cortisol levels remain at a consistently high level for a long time, this becomes the cause of:

• Decreased muscle mass. The body synthesizes energy not from incoming food, but from muscle tissue.
• The percentage of body fat increases. With elevated cortisol, a person constantly craves sweets, and this provokes weight gain.
• The appearance of folds on the abdomen. When cortisol levels are high, fat deposits accumulate inside the abdomen, they push out the muscle layer, and the figure takes on the shape of an apple.
• Diabetes mellitus type 2. Under the influence of cortisol, insulin production decreases and at the same time more glucose appears in the blood due to muscle destruction. That is, blood sugar almost doubles.
• Decrease in testosterone levels.
• Increased risk of developing cardiovascular pathologies. High levels of cortisol force the body to constantly work under overload, which negatively affects the condition of blood vessels and the heart muscle.
• Osteoporosis. Cortisol impairs the absorption of collagen and calcium, slows down regeneration processes, which causes increased fragility of bone tissue.

The hormone prolactin is responsible for the formation of progesterone. This hormone is of greater importance for the woman’s body.

In stressful situations, prolactin has a strong effect on metabolic reactions and mechanisms that regulate water content in the body.

During depression, prolactin is produced in large quantities and this becomes the cause of a variety of pathologies, including the development of cancer cells.

Excessive amounts of prolactin cause lack of ovulation, miscarriage, and mastopathy.

Prolactin is also important for men’s health; if it is not enough, sexual function may suffer and there is a predisposition to the formation of adenoma.

Low level symptoms

Knowing the signs characteristic of low hormonal levels associated with the work of the adrenal glands to produce cortisol will help you pay attention in time to the presence of a malfunction in the body:

• unexplained weight loss;
• feeling of chronic fatigue, muscle weakness;
• frequent dizziness and fainting;
• pigmentation on the skin;
• depressed mood.

A sign of a low amount of cortisol may be abdominal pain that is not concentrated in one place. A wave-like feeling of nausea, often ending in vomiting. Disturbance of taste buds when preference is given to over-salted foods.

Restoring the body after stress

A distinctive feature of a morally strong person is resistance to negative influences. Total self-control is the best defense against stressful situations. You can hide from troubles, but for a normal state of mind you need to be able to deal with problems.

A set of calming and relaxing activities will help you recover from stress:

1. Emotional release. You need to be in complete solitude, take a full lungful of air and scream as loud as your ligaments allow. The best place for this technique is nature. A relaxed atmosphere and fresh air will help you concentrate as much as possible on your inner state. A scream will help throw out all the accumulated negativity. For best effectiveness, it is recommended to shout any words at least three times.
2. Correct breathing. Breathing exercises are absolutely irreplaceable if you feel anger, fear, excitement or another unusual feeling that begins to overwhelm you from the inside, preventing you from breathing. There are many variations of gymnastic exercises. To calm down, just take a minute to breathe in slowly through your nose and then slowly exhale through your mouth. Scientists have proven that normalizing the respiratory rhythm helps restore mental harmony. In combination with physical exercise, in addition to internal balance, you can also relax the muscles of the body.
3. Physical exercise. Stress leaves serious consequences on a person's health, which can be overcome by moderate physical activity. Exercising not only sports (games, fitness), but also everyday chores that require a lot of energy (cleaning, washing, cooking) will help stabilize your psycho-emotional state. Active activity speeds up the body's metabolism, cleansing it of toxins and other waste products, improves physical fitness and helps take one's mind off troubles.
4. Support from loved ones. The moral support of relatives gives strength to fight the depressing state. You can always speak out to them, trust them, revealing the most hidden parts of your soul. Warmth and love heals all emotional wounds.
5. Russian bath. If you steam thoroughly, stress hormones will leave the body, normal health will return, and the physiological parameters of the body will improve. The bath helps with colds and rheumatism, and also calms the nerves and relieves stress. The combination of this procedure with aromatherapy and herbal infusions will enhance the effect.
6. Art. The ability to express your feelings through art has a positive effect on the emotional sphere. Thanks to singing, drawing, dancing, a person expresses himself, which is a psychological release. Vocals and dance help normalize breathing and increase the tone of the body.

Breathing exercises

Sometimes proper breathing is a lifeline in cases where you need to get rid of unusual feelings and emotions. To calm down, it is often enough to take deep breaths through your nose for a minute and then exhale through your mouth.

Breathing exercises promote mental harmony

Scientists have proven in the course of their research that bringing the breathing rhythm back to normal helps to establish mental harmony.

Russian bath

Visiting a bathhouse not only reduces the impact of stress on a person’s health to a minimum, but also helps to cope with many diseases, the progress of which has nothing to do with hormonal levels and emotional upheavals.

Support from loved ones

The opportunity to open your soul, speak out and receive support in return always helps to cope with negativity and overcome an unpleasant situation.

Physical exercise

You can neutralize the effect of stress on human health through moderate stress on the body. And in this case, we are talking not only about sports, but also about any everyday concerns that require the use of physical strength. Cooking, cleaning or doing laundry - all this can help a person normalize his mental state.