The NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) Stress Response is a system within all of our bodies which we use to help combat stressful situations. The NEM Stress Response begins in the brain.
The hypothalamus is the first piece to the puzzle. Once the hypothalamus signals that there is risk, danger, or threat, the pituitary gland is triggered to act by producing hormones and further signaling to the adrenal glands. Many issues can arise when the adrenal glands are unable to produce enough natural bioidentical hormones to appropriately react to stressors, both physical or psychological.
The adrenal glands are responsible for producing cortisol, a very powerful hormone that is so directly related to the stress response that it is sometimes referred to as the stress hormone. Cortisol has many jobs in the body, and while it can be very helpful in difficult times, it has the ability to inflict great damage to the body as well. There are a few things that take place when cortisol levels remain high for a prolonged period of time. These include sleep disruption, decreased muscle mass, high blood pressure, and increased wound healing timelines. Learn more about how torecognize the symptoms of stress here.
Because of all of the negative things associated with a poorly regulated NEM Stress Response, it is very important to mitigate any exposure to stress and control your reactions to it. It is easy to fall into a cycle of high stress, which causes many long term issues that, if directly confronted, can be lessened with personal intervention.
Hormone Production and Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome
There is an important link betweenstress, hormone production, and AFS. People with AFS often suffer from many other ailments not directly related to adrenal glands. When the body is subjected to large amounts of stress, the adrenal glands respond, although over time they may struggle to cope with the continued demand for hormone production.
The adrenal glands are the workhorse of the stress response. It is important to recognize this fact because if you are experiencing stress on a continual basis, there is a high probability that you are suffering from AFS, and you may be developing a deficiency of natural bioidentical hormones.
When the adrenal glands are placed under high burdens of elevated stress, they can often fail to respond in ways that are advantageous to proper health. The adrenal glands control inflammation, immunological responses, and even play a part in regulating metabolism, so people who are suffering from AFS are placed at a high risk for developing disorders related to these functions.
High Cortisol Levels and Stress
Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands and has an important job throughout the body, not only during stressful times, but in restful times as well. It is a major player in the overall well-being of the body. Cortisol is a hormone which is essential to the maintenance of homeostasis. Cortisol regulates several things throughout the body including blood glucose levels, blood pressure, heart and blood vessel contractions, and central nervous system activation. There are daily fluctuations in the levels of cortisol that are produced and distributed within the body. It is produced in the endocrine system by the adrenal glands, which are located on top of the kidneys.
Cortisol controls many functions that are tremendously important for the body to engage in, so when there is a dysfunction in the adrenal glands ability to produce proper levels of natural bioidentical hormones, the results are chaotic. Issues arise when the body is exposed to elevated levels of cortisol for a long period of time, because it is not meant to be a hormone that is continually secreted at a high rate. Cortisol is intended to give us the tools we need to overcome extreme events in our lives that necessitate increased levels of alertness and physical readiness. When the extreme experiences are over, however, cortisol must decrease for normal bodily function to resume.
Female Hormone Imbalance Symptoms, Inflammation, and Adrenal Fatigue -
One major danger of long term high cortisol levels is a sustained fast paced heart rate. When the heart is overworked, cardiovascular health risks skyrocket. Heart disease is the number one killer of adults in the United States. It is always a good idea to be aware of your stress levels, and try to take the necessary steps to balance your mood and reactions to stress whenever possible.
There are always situations where things are out of your control, and in those times, it is advised to seek professional help. There is nothing wrong with understanding your limits and taking advice from a healthcare professional. Sometimes its the best option.
The Dangers of Low Cortisol Levels and AFS
Other problems arise when there is a deficiency of cortisol, which often occurs when someone is suffering from AFS. The adrenal glands are sometimes so overworked that they enter a stage of exhaustion where they cant keep up with the demand placed on them. This is where, in some cases, the use of natural bioidentical hormones can be a way to help the body keep up with that demand. Low levels of cortisol can render an individual weak and unable to complete the daily tasks that life requires.
There are risks involved to supplementing with natural bioidentical hormones like cortisol. Cortisol is a steroid hormone and excess levels can have dangerous consequences, such as creating a state of high cortisol levels. When your body enters the fight or flight state, it stops certain natural processes that the body needs to maintain health. One example of this is the absorption of cholesterol. When cortisol is released in large amounts, the body does not absorb cholesterol and blood cholesterol levels remain high. This becomes an issue for cardiovascular health because the lack of cholesterol absorption allows for buildup of plaque in the arteries.
Another aspect of low cortisol levels has immunological consequences. Cortisol functions to reduce inflammation in the body, which is very helpful in times of trauma. However, over time, this continued reduction in inflammation has a negative impact on the bodys ability to mount an immunological response. The consequences of this can be serious and include increased risks for cancer, food allergies, and susceptibility to sickness. Understanding what is necessary for proper cortisol levels is somewhat complicated because there is a delicate balance the body needs to maintain good health.
Estrogen and Stress Response to Natural Bioidentical Hormones
There have been numerous studies that show a link between the hormone estrogen and the stress response. This is not surprising given the fact that estrogen is produced in the adrenal glands, which are a vital part of the stress response system.
A lack of estrogen hormones can make women more vulnerable to trauma during certain points in their menstrual cycles. There was a particular study conducted by Harvard researches which showed that when women had higher levels of estrogen in their blood, they were less likely to startle during trials involving their responses to fear.
This could be a good reason to attempt to balance hormones within the body with natural bioidentical hormones as long as caution is used to ensure proper levels are maintained.
Conclusion
Without question, there is a connection between hormones and the bodys stress response. It is not possible to maintain a healthy response to stress when your body is not producing what it needs to properly function. Though there are different opinions and approaches to this problem, it is clear that there is an important link. There are many ways to increase hormone output by supplementing with natural bioidentical hormones. Different methods of therapy have different risks involved.
Generally speaking, any form of hormone therapy should be considered as a last resort though. Once hormones are introduced into the body, the natural feedback loops that allow the body to self-regulate can become disrupted. Unexpected results could occur, and the clinical outcome is often uncertain. Having a clear time frame for taking the hormones and an exit strategy in place is important to avoid issues with tolerance, resistance, and dependency that can develop over time.
Fortunately, in most situations the body has the ability to self regulate. Hormone replacement, whether natural or synthetic , can often be avoided if the body is given a chance to heal. For those with adrenal fatigue, this begins with fortifying and optimizing adrenal gland function.
AFS is clearly rooted in hormone deficiency, but there are many ways to replace hormones without using bioidentical hormone replacements. These include exposure to vitamin D, reduction of stress, limiting sugar in your diet, losing weight, and incorporating exercise into your routine. All of these things seem simple but are sometimes very difficult to implement. Also be sure to consider the safety of any adjustments to your routine before implementing them, especially if you are experiencing advanced adrenal fatigue or adrenal exhaustion
Considering hormonal output as a factor in your bodys stress response is a good step to understanding how the entire body responds as one unit to changes in the environment. Once you begin to fit the pieces together into a larger picture, you can make the most informed decisions possible regarding your health and wellness.
