Cortisol is the hormone that regulates the body’sStress hormones” has attracted attention after social media users dubbed her facial swelling a “cortisol face.”
The condition, which causes facial swelling and puffiness, has been given the name “cortisol face” on social media, as stress stimulates the release of cortisol, a hormone naturally produced by the adrenal glands.
Cortisol affects nearly every organ and tissue in the body, helping to reduce inflammation, regulate blood sugar and metabolism, and control blood pressure. According to National Library of Medicine.
This hormone helps the body respond to stress, according to ABC News medical contributor and board-certified emergency physician Dr. Darien Sutton.
“When we feel stressed, our bodies increase the production of cortisol as part of the fight-flight-freeze response to protect us from danger,” Sutton says.
According to the National Library of Medicine, both high and low levels of cortisol in the body can be a sign that something is wrong.
High cortisol levels over a long period of time can lead to a condition called Cushing’s syndrome, while low cortisol levels can be a sign of Addison’s disease.
Sutton says that extremely high cortisol levels – caused by medications, illness or stress – can lead to fat accumulation in the face, resulting in a rounder face shape.
Sutton said high cortisol levels can also lead to salt and fluid retention, making your face look puffy.
But Sutton pointed out that cortisol-induced changes to the face, such as swelling and puffiness, can be subtle, and that cortisol isn’t the only factor that changes the appearance of the face.
“Facial puffiness can also be caused by a variety of factors, including diet, medications, thyroid function, kidney status and sleep duration,” Sutton says.
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Sutton said there is no “quick fix” for cortisol levels, so people should be wary of products that promise it.
According to Sutton, natural ways to balance cortisol levels include getting good quality sleep and managing stress.
“The best way to stabilize cortisol is to get back to the basics of healthy living,” he says, “getting good quality sleep, eating a balanced diet, limiting added sugars, exercising daily, and practicing mindfulness and meditation to manage stress.”
