Why Are Cortisol Levels During High Sleep?

Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that is released in response to stress. This is often referred to as the "fight or flight" response. Levels of cortisol are highest in the morning right after a person awakes and are the lowest three to five hours into the sleep cycle. Physical or emotional stress can cause an increase in cortisol levels. Should the stressors continue into the evening before bedtime, excess cortisol will be produced and sleep will be adversely affected.

How Cortisol Affects Sleep Patterns

• Excess cortisol at night can cause troubled sleep.

  People experiencing stress, depression, hypoglycemia, illness, fever, trauma or surgery may produce excess cortisol that can cause sleep deprivation. Also certain drugs, alcohol and caffeine will the cortisol levels into orbit. Menopausal and post-menopausal women may also experience high cortisol levels. Excess levels of cortisol in the system during the sleep period causes a person to lose needed rest by triggering a series of mini-awakenings and disturbing the sleep cycle.

Causes of High Cortisol Levels

• See a doctor if you believe you are suffering from high levels of cortisol.

  There are a number of physical causes for high levels of cortisol. They include Cushing's syndrome, a proximate tumor near the pituitary or adrenal glands and stress.

  While a thorough examination by a physician as well as tests for cortisol levels are recommended, is easy to identify whether stress is causing the imbalance. Ongoing and pervasive stress can severely impact health by causing the adrenal glands to overproduce cortisol in response, thereby causing hormonal imbalance--and, eventually, adrenal gland depletion.

How Excess Cortisol Affects Your Health

• Fatigue caused by lack of proper sleep

  Recent medical studies show that abnormally high cortisol levels negatively impact health. As Cushing's syndrome is relatively rare and tumors are not that prevalent, the most common cause is stress. Unfortunately, more women than men suffer this hormonal imbalance as they tend to work on into the evening and not experience the "down time" that allows the body to relax and ease off the production of cortisol. As a result, a number of things occur. The body may respond by developing:

  Increased sleeplessness

  Thyroid resistance (similar to insulin resistance)

  Obesity

  Increased "hot flashes" during menopause

  Chronic fatigue syndrome

  Fibromyalgia

Recent Medical Studies

• Excess cortisol can cause weight gain.

  There is an increasing awareness in the medical community that excess cortisol is the underlying cause of many conditions. For example, women experiencing menopause should be checked for excess cortisol prior to accepting that hormone therapy is indicated. Too much cortisol in the system causes the body to be resistant to other hormones. For example, if a woman going through menopause experiences stress, it may trigger hot flashes, a symptom of low estrogen. However, if there is excess cortisol, the body may become resistant to the estrogen she actually possesses. Therefore, it is the cortisol that needs to be decreased, not the estrogen increased. There are also links to excess cortisol, obesity and depression. Studies show that excess cortisol causes production of increased insulin and craving for carbohydrates. Weight around the middle may be difficult to reduce if daily stress is a factor. Researchers have found a causal link between waistline fat and metabolic syndrome, diabetes and heart disease.

Reducing Elevated Cortisol Levels by Reducing Stress

• A peaceful walk can do much to relieve stress.

  Although there are a number of therapies available for reducing elevated cortisol, the greatest key to good health is sound sleep. Reducing the amount of cortisol produced during the evening will help to ensure that the body gets the rest it needs to self-repair. Lowering stress levels will help reduce cortisol levels. There are a number of ways to do this, but the most endorsed method is physical exercise that regenerates, not wears down. A good walk every day is considered essential for health. Even breaking up the walk into 15-minute intervals provides benefits. Reduce the amount of refined carbohydrates consumed and replace them with whole grain products and fresh vegetables. Try to reduce the amount of caffeine and alcohol consumed daily. If you smoke, quit. Find time to pray or meditate. This time helps you connect with what is important and to give a sense of balance in your daily activities. And, finally, the oldest medicine is the best: find time to laugh and be happy. Be aware of your response to trigger events and step back if you feel yourself experiencing stress. Try to take deep breaths, take a brief walk outside or go to a private area and stretch. The idea is to detach yourself from the stressful event and break the "fight or flight" cycle.