28/06/2022
The body produces various hormones to manage innumerable functions or processes in the body, on a day-to-day basis. One such hormone is Cortisol. Since its most famous function is Stress Response, it’s called the Stress Hormone, however Cortisol is responsible for several functions in the body which include:
Stress Response: It boosts energy so that we can handle stress better, and once the stressor is gone, it helps restore balance afterwards
BP: It plays an important role in achieving salt and water balance, which helps regulate blood-pressure.
Glucose metabolism: Help in insulin release thereby regulating blood-sugar levels
Improves immune function
Inflammatory response: reduces inflammation
Regulates metabolism: Manages how our body uses carbohydrates, fats, and proteins consumed as food
Cognitive: assists with memory formulation
In pregnant women, cortisol supports development of the fetus
Controls our sleep and waking cycle.
How does excess Cortisol harm us?
However, in some people, this natural return to normalcy does not happen immediately. The body perceives the crisis to be ongoing, and this comes from the person’s thoughts and emotions. So cortisol levels remain high in the blood. Examples for these could be people working in stressful jobs or stressful workplaces, a toxic work-environment, domestic abuse, people recovering from injury or disease, people reliving memories of physical, sexual, verbal or mental harassment, reliving memories of past accidents and tragedies, soldiers who return from war and are reliving painful memories of the same, and all those people who suffer from Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Call us at 0427 277 7555 for prompt emergency support.
Aishwaryam Specialty Hospital
Bangalore Bypass Road Salem, Tamil Nadu, India 636005.
