Cortisol is a stress hormone that is released by the adrenal glands into the bloodstream when the body perceives stress. Elevated cortisol levels can be caused by many underlying issues such as overactivity or cancer of the pituitary or adrenal glands, chronic stress, and medication side effects. Here are some factors that can increase cortisol levels:
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Stress: Cortisol is released in response to stress, whether its physical or emotional. Chronic stress can lead to consistently high cortisol levels, which can cause a range of health issues.
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Poor sleep: Chronic sleep issues, such as obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, or working a night shift, are associated with higher cortisol levels.
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Unhealthy diet: An unhealthy diet filled with added sugars and processed foods can raise cortisol levels and put you at a greater risk for high blood pressure and diabetes.
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Lack of exercise: Regular exercise helps improve sleep quality and reduce stress, which can help lower cortisol levels over time.
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Tense relationships: Having tense and unhealthy relationships with loved ones or coworkers can cause frequent stress and raise your cortisol levels.
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Certain medications: Taking large amounts of corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone, prednisolone, or dexamethasone, can cause high cortisol levels.
Its important to note that cortisol is an essential hormone that impacts several aspects of your body, and its not always bad to have elevated cortisol levels in response to stress. However, consistently high cortisol levels can lead to health issues, so its important to manage stress and take care of your overall health.
