![]() ![]() Hypothyroid symptoms such as cold extremities, dry skin, depression, and constipation often indicate sub-optimal adrenal function. There are a few other mechanisms involved in the stress/thyroid dysfunction connection as well. Stress can also negatively affect the enzyme that converts inactive thyroid hormone (T4) to active thyroid hormone (T3). Unfortunately, this also slows down thyroid function since the hypothalamus and pituitary regulate thyroid hormones as well. When cortisol is released under stress, the hypothalamus and pituitary, which work in a feedback loop with cortisol, slow down their production of hormones. The adrenals are regulated by the hypothalamus and pituitary glands. Here’s where the thyroid comes into play. The adrenal glands are part of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal-thyroid-axis (HPAT), sometimes just referred to as the HPA-axis. This is why insulin resistance is the precursor to type II diabetes.Ī few symptoms of insulin resistance include the inability to lose weight, high cholesterol and triglycerides, cognitive dysfunction, and elevated blood glucose or insulin levels. Insulin is the hormone that regulates the amount of glucose being taken from the bloodstream into the cells.ĭuring chronic stress, the cells start to become resistant to insulin, leaving blood glucose levels elevated. Glucagon controls glucose storage in the liver so that glucose can be released into the blood. When cortisol is released, the hormone glucagon is signaled and insulin is suppressed. This results in lowered libido and other symptoms related to hormonal imbalances, such as premenstrual syndrome in women or erectile dysfunction in men. But once the adrenals become chronically over-worked, more and more of the precursor materials (used to make sex hormones) get diverted to make cortisol, resulting in a decrease in sex hormones. Along with balancing out hormones based on a person’s gender, sex hormones also help keep the negative effects of too much cortisol in check, acting as an antioxidant. In addition to neurotransmitters and cortisol, the adrenals also produce small amounts of the sex hormones, estrogen and testosterone (and their precursors). If someone has low dopamine, it can lead to addiction, cravings, or depression. ![]() If dopamine is too high, someone may experience anxiety, hyperactivity, or paranoia. Depending on the degree to which the adrenals have been affected, the neurotransmitters become unbalanced in various ways. ![]() Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that help regulate things like mood, performance, weight, pain perception, and sleep. They also produce neurotransmitters such as adrenaline (epinephrine), norepinephrine, and dopamine. The adrenal glands produce more than just cortisol. Here are a few of the major ways the mind and body are affected by chronic stress. As the adrenal glands become over-worked, they eventually can’t keep up with the body’s demands for the various hormones they’re responsible for. While this can be a very useful and sometimes life-saving response to a threat, problems can begin to occur if stress becomes frequent or chronic. ![]() In addition to the adrenals pumping out more hormones, bodily functions that are unnecessary in the moment (such as digestion), are put on hold to preserve energy for the “fight or flight.” One of the bodily processes that occurs during acute stress is often referred to as “fight or flight.” It is the defense mechanism that kicks in when we are in danger – or think we are. The adrenals are two small glands located just above the kidneys that produce and release cortisol and other hormones into the bloodstream – learn everything you need to know about adrenals. It is probably the one most commonly associated with stress, even though there are others involved. Stress can also include environmental factors like exposure to chemicals and other toxins.Ĭortisol is one of the hormones that our body releases in response to stress. Many people think this only refers to emotional stress or trauma, but it also includes physiological stress on the body, such as infection, traumatic injury, or a poor diet. Stress is any kind of outside factor that our body perceives as a threat to our safety or well-being. You may have heard these terms used together, but are not sure how they are connected. Knowing the far-reaching effects of stress, not only on our psychological well-being but also on our entire bodies, can help us remember to prioritize stress management and other self-care practices. Many people consider stress a part of modern life and learn to live with it, but stress is not normal and it can be overcome! You just need to learn how. We all hear about stress these days and how bad it is for our health. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |