Understanding Cortisol and Adrenaline: Stress Hormones and Their Impact on Your Health

Posted in by Echelon Health

Stress is a natural part of life, and our bodies have evolved intricate systems to manage it. Central to these systems are stress hormones. But what exactly are they? What are their roles, and what happens when their function falters? Let’s delve into the world of stress hormones and uncover their mysteries.

What Are the Stress Hormones?

There are three main stress hormones:

  1. Cortisol – The most critical stress hormone.
  2. Adrenaline (Epinephrine) and Noradrenaline (Norepinephrine) – Responsible for the fight-or-flight response.
  3. Prolactin – While primarily a lactation hormone, it also rises during stress, though its exact role in stress remains unclear.

 

Understanding Each Stress Hormone

Prolactin: The Mystery Hormone

Prolactin is widely recognised for its role in lactation, enabling milk production in breastfeeding women. However, in non-lactating individuals, prolactin levels also spike during stress. While its precise function in stress responses is not fully understood, some suggest it may play a role in immune modulation.

Cortisol: The Body’s Stress Regulator

Cortisol is produced in the adrenal glands, two small triangular structures located above the kidneys. These glands have three layers, with the middle layer responsible for cortisol production.

Cortisol’s primary roles include:

  • Regulating Blood Pressure – Ensuring stable blood flow during stress.
  • Immune Modulation – Suppressing excessive immune responses to prevent damage.
  • Stress Management – Helping the body recover from acute stress episodes.

This hormone is essential for survival. Insufficient cortisol can result in cardiovascular collapse and death during physical stress. Conversely, prolonged high cortisol levels can lead to chronic conditions like high blood pressure and suppressed immunity.

Adrenaline and Noradrenaline: The Fight-or-Flight Duo

Produced by the inner layer of the adrenal glands (the medulla), adrenaline and noradrenaline trigger the body’s immediate response to danger. These hormones:

  • Increase heart rate.
  • Heighten alertness.
  • Prepare muscles for quick action.

Interestingly, the body’s nerve endings also produce adrenaline and noradrenaline, meaning that even without adrenal glands, the fight-or-flight response can still occur, albeit to a lesser extent.

What Happens When Stress Hormones Malfunction?

Too Little Cortisol: Addison’s Disease

When the adrenal glands fail to produce enough cortisol, the condition is known as Addison’s disease. Symptoms include:

  • Fatigue.
  • Weight loss.
  • Low blood pressure.

In severe cases, stress can lead to a life-threatening collapse of cardiovascular function.

Too Much Cortisol: Cushing’s Syndrome

Excessive cortisol production, often due to benign adrenal tumours, results in Cushing’s syndrome. Symptoms include:

  • Weight gain, especially around the midsection.
  • Muscle weakness.
  • A round “moon face.”
  • High blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
  • Osteoporosis.

Both Addison’s and Cushing’s require medical intervention due to their significant impact on health.

Adrenaline Overload: Chronic Anxiety

While adrenaline is vital for acute stress, prolonged exposure can be harmful. Chronic adrenaline release, as seen in anxiety disorders, leads to symptoms like:

  • Increased heart rate.
  • Sweaty palms.
  • Persistent feelings of being on edge.

This cycle can exacerbate anxiety, creating a vicious loop that’s difficult to break.

Can Stress Hormones Trigger Autoimmune Disorders?

There is evidence that severe stress can influence autoimmune conditions. For example, Graves’ disease (an overactive thyroid condition) and skin disorders like psoriasis often worsen under stress. While the exact mechanisms remain unclear, the connection between stress hormones and immune function is an area of active research.

How Do Beta Blockers Help?

For those experiencing chronic stress or anxiety, medications like beta blockers can be life changing. These drugs block adrenaline receptors, preventing the physical effects of stress without stopping adrenaline production.

Beta blockers are often prescribed for situations like public speaking, where they help individuals remain calm and focused. However, as with all medications, they must be used under medical supervision to avoid adverse effects.

 

Stress hormones are crucial for survival, helping us respond to danger and recover afterward. However, when their delicate balance is disrupted, the consequences can range from anxiety to life-threatening conditions. Understanding how these hormones work enables us to appreciate their role in maintaining health and managing stress.

If you’re experiencing symptoms related to stress hormone imbalances, consult a healthcare professional for guidance and potential treatments.

 

Watch the Wealth of Health episode and explore how stress hormones impact your health

This blog is written from information taken from the Wealth of Health podcast episode ‘Cortisol and Adrenaline | Your Body Under Stress’.

Click the image above to watch the episode on YouTube. Alternatively, listen in on Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/wealth-of-health/episodes/Cortisol-and-Adrenaline–Your-Body-Under-Stress-e2su2bm

If you enjoy this episode, why not subscribe to the Wealth of Health and tune into our bi-weekly episodes on topical health concerns with the aim to demystify health issues and bring a moderate balanced view.

 

Echelon Health Offers World Leading Health Assessments

When you turn forty years old, it is highly suggested that you get a fully comprehensive health assessment which includes an in-depth look at your hormones too.

At Echelon Health, we are proud to offer a Platinum Assessment that is highly effective in detecting a wide array of illnesses. In fact, we can identify up to 92% and 95% of the preventable causes of death in men and women, respectively.

If you have any questions contact our team to speak with our Head of Private Clients or check out our health assessment packages for more information on the assessments we can offer you!

 

Did you enjoy this blog? If so, we think you’d enjoy the Wealth of Health podcast. Find us on YouTube and Spotify

 

 

Further Reading on Cortisol, Adrenaline and Stress

·       Cleveland Clinic

·       Harvard Health

·       Mayo Clinic

·       Healthline

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