Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs Cortisol is the primary stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands. When we talk about cortisol levels, it refers to the amount of the hormone that is present in the blood, which can serve as an indicator of stress levels. Everyone will experience a high cortisol level at some point in their lifetime, but if your body is constantly producing too much cortisol it could indicate an underlying health problem. High cortisol levels can cause the face to swell—hence the term “cortisol face.”What causes too much cortisol?The causes of high cortisol levels vary, but chronic emotional or physical stress are the most common culprits. Stressful situations activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis—the HPA axis, which is crucial to the body’s stress management systems—prompting the release of cortisol. Too much cortisol in the body can result in Cushing’s syndrome, but this condition is rare, and typically affects people who have been taking steroids over long periods.Dr Petra Algenstaedt, medical director at the UKE Hamburg, says that “as a hormone expert, many people come to me to discuss weight gain and metabolic changes… questioning if hormonal disorders are the cause. Another reason can be the increase of cortisol production from the adrenal gland or an overproduction of ACTH, the hormone that is produced in the pituitary gland and regulates cortisol production in the adrenal gland.”What is cortisol face?“Elevated cortisol levels often lead to increased fat deposits in the cheeks, which changes the shape of the face. According to Dr Algenstaedt, the increased fat deposits can also result in a thicker appearance of the shoulder and neck area.Cortisol is strongly linked to wellbeing and healthConsistently high cortisol levels can often result in weight gain, especially in the face but also around the abdomen.Not only can it bring about changes in the shape of the face, but the skin structure is also affected. “It becomes thinner and small hemorrhages often occur under the skin,” says Dr Algenstaedt. “It can often lead to menstrual cycle disorders and sometimes mood swings and psychological changes.”She adds that, if the body produces too much cortisol in the long term, the risk of developing diabetes and osteoporosis increases significantly, and menopausal women in particular have an increased risk.How to lower cortisol levelsConsult a doctor if you are concerned about your cortisol levels, to determine the cause and ensure that your symptoms are not the result of an underlying illness. If you are experiencing “cortisol face” as a result of excess stress, then simple stress management techniques can help. Regular physical activity, a healthy diet, and sufficient sleep are key to coping with stress and lowering stress-related cortisol levels.
