Cortisol and Fibromyalgia
Every single day, as I’m getting prepared in the morning, I see a version of myself in the reflection that makes me want to creep right back into bed.
Overnight, my face has put on five extra pounds, as if I earned a cheeseburger eating competition in my dreams. Not only do I look bloated but I feel bloated too, I have an acne outburst, extreme tiredness, and brain fog.
This is one annoying start to the day. I used to consider these episodes were accidental until I learned about cortisol, called, the stress hormone, a hormone that mediates many metabolic processes, has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties, and whose levels in the blood may become higher in reaction to physical or emotional stress.
Those symptoms I stated earlier are signs of elevated cortisol levels.
Cortisol’s Responsibilities
Some of cortisol’s greater responsibilities for our symptoms:
- Reducing inflammation. Keep things like Alzheimer’s, arthritis and diabetes at bay.
- Keeping us attentive. Literally to stay alive. Visualize surviving in the wilderness when you listen to, “Run! It’s a Bear!” Fight or flight?
> Fighting off tiredness. So you can stay wide-awake through an uninteresting movie.
> Maintaining a healthy metabolism. For energy and general good feels.
> Balancing blood sugar levels and blood pressure. Avoid blurred vision, heart attack, and stroke. Avoiding brain fog.
>Assisting with cognitive processes. Like learning to tie your shoes and hard wiring memories.
> Assisting to develop the fetus during pregnancy.
As you can see by the comprehensive choice of the list, we fibro fighters need to pay a lot of consideration to our cortisol levels. So many of these are areas we previously have problems with on a regular basis.
So what can we do to cope? Initially, let’s recognize what can toss our cortisol levels off: Stress, Stimulants, Sleep, Diet, Our state of mind
The Symptoms of Cortisol Levels
Depending on your cortisol levels, you may experience diverse symptoms I have recorded below. You should ask with your doctor about exactly how your cortisol levels may be upsetting your fibromyalgia symptoms.
High Cortisol Levels
Mysterious weight gain, Moods swings, Skin irritations, Concurrently feeling tired and wired, Irregular menstrual cycle, Puffy face, Insomnia, High blood pressure, Sore and achy muscles, Frequent urination, Excessive thirst
Low Cortisol Levels
Depression, Break in menstrual cycle, Sensitive skin, Desires for salty foods, Dizziness/fainting, Muscle weakness, Achy scalp, IBS Symptoms , Confusion, Dark circles under eyes, Heart palpitations.
Build Strategies into Your Schedule
For me, the number one reason that regulates all things fibromyalgia is scheduling. Just as we learn to contemplate into the future about pain controlling by taking vitamins, getting shots and arranging acupuncture engagements, and how making a strategy to manage our cortisol and fibromyalgia will protect us from additional pain, frustration and developing additional chronic conditions.
We can learn to expect and stop a portion of the triggers by adding coping mechanisms into our schedules. Here’s a list of little stuffs we can do to retain your cortisol and fibromyalgia symptoms in check. Understanding the list is step one, setting up notices or adding them into your timetable is step two.
Bathe in the sunshine. Give yourself to a ten-minute fantasy, Sit by a window or escape outside.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol in the evening. How about at best most of the time? Especially if you’re previously stressed.
Relaxing music. Play it all day or take a halt and get lost in it. At a nice low volume, of course.
Take your heating pad and a regulator. Even just five minutes a day can keep stress away.
Acupuncture. One time a week or once a month, for body and mind relief.
Exercise. Nothing too extreme. I work with light weights and a slow speed.
Eat clean. The more you do it the healthier you’ll feel. Your body will be grateful for not having to work so hard.
Consistent sleep schedule. Your body has a natural regularity.
Slow down. Build additional time into your timetable so you have flexibility when things don’t go as planned.
In Conclusion…
Furthermore, learning methods to handle daily stress and frustration will pay back greatly for your keeping your levels stable. Sure, you’re permitted a breakdown but don’t let it get its teeth into you. Once you’ve sealed into a super-stressed mode, it tougher to see the way out. If you oblige to even part of these recommendations, before you know it, you’ll wake up, look in the mirror and see your lovely reflection calmly gazing back at you. Ref
For support and Discussion join the group “Living with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Illness”
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