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Do you feel bloated after every meal? This and 5 other horrors for people with high cortisol levels
Also known as the stress hormone – high cortisol levels in your body can affect your daily life – causing symptoms that can be distressing and interfere with your normal functioning . There are many signs and symptoms of high cortisol, from feeling bloated, having a hunched neck, sugar cravings, and extreme fatigue. Read further to know about them in detail.
If your body is consistently making too much cortisol, it usually indicates an underlying health problem.
Stress and its underlying conditions can quickly increase your levels of cortisol – a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands with many important body functions. However, under adverse conditions, high cortisol levels cause a number of negative symptoms including weight gain, acne, and fatigue.
Doctors say everyone has high cortisol from time to time, and levels vary throughout the day because it’s part of your body’s natural response to threats of harm or danger. However, if your body is consistently making too much cortisol, it usually indicates an underlying health problem. Some of its signs are as follows:
bloating after every meal
According to experts, bloating and fluid retention is a product of high cortisol which is responsible for mineral and salt regulation in the body. When it is in excess, cortisol increases salt retention resulting in swelling. This can lead to a drop in potassium levels, disrupt insulin function and lead to type 2 diabetes.
hump of neck
Extremely high levels of cortisol over a sustained period of time can cause increased fat synthesis – leading to Cushing’s syndrome. The fat produced often accumulates in the neck, a condition known as lipodystrophy that can produce the distinctive buffalo hump.
Cushing’s syndrome may also be caused by adrenal tumors, lung tumors, or glucocorticoid medications.
Craving sugar all the time
When cortisol levels in your body are too high, you may have food cravings – especially sweet, fatty and salty foods. Under stress, you’re more likely to order fried foods like fries as well as sugary beverages and won’t want to consume any healthy foods like fruits and vegetables.
severe fatigue
High cortisol levels over a long period of time can make you feel extremely tired, even without working out too much or getting enough rest. According to doctors, this becomes part of your body’s natural response to the threat of harm or danger.
forgetfulness and short-term memory loss
Even though it may seem harmless, being forgetful and having memory loss are some of the main symptoms of high cortisol levels in your body. Doctors say that when the hormone increases, your executive brain function – such as working memory for processing information and solving problems – decreases.
What causes cortisol imbalance?,
According to doctors, there are some common causes behind each type of cortisol imbalance, which include:
Tension
Excessive and prolonged stress is the primary cause of cortisol imbalance, whether high or low.
Exercise
Exercise is considered good stress, but within limits. Although exercise may cause an immediate increase in cortisol, the overall effect is to improve mood and reduce stress. But if you work out excessively then stress becomes harmful.
nutrition
Doctors say the foods you eat can help reduce cortisol or increase it. Processed foods that are rich in carbs and sugar initially help reduce cortisol immediately, but the increase in blood sugar caused by these foods can actually, over time, cause stress, inflammation, and cortisol in your body. Can increase the level.
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