What are the symptoms of excess cortisol?
General signs and symptoms of too much cortisol include:
- weight gain, mostly around the midsection and upper back.
- weight gain and rounding of the face.
- acne.
- thinning skin.
- easy bruising.
- flushed face.
- slowed healing.
- muscle weakness.
How do you lower cortisol levels quickly?
Here’s how to lower cortisol levels.
- Try meditation. Meditation activates the body’s relaxation response through the HPA axis, the central stress response system.
- Swap intense workouts for gentle exercise.
- Eat a healthy carb at dinner.
- Get outside.
- Rewire your sleep schedule.
How can I test my cortisol levels at home?
A cortisol saliva test is usually done at home, late at night, when cortisol levels are lower. Your health care provider will recommend or provide you with a kit for this test. The kit will likely include a swab to collect your sample and a container to store it.
Can high cortisol levels cause pain?
Cortisol serum levels may be high in depressed pain and non-pain patients. The relationship between pain, depression, and high serum cortisol levels is unclear and complicated, as patients with severe chronic pain invariably report depression until their pain is controlled.