Stress and cortisol

Cortisol is produced in the adrenal cortex and then it gets released into the blood where it gets transported to all parts of the body. Almost every cell in the body contains receptors for cortisol. Cortisol can have many different effects on the body depending on the type of cell that receives it. It helps control blood sugar levels, regulates metabolism, acts as anti-inflammatory, controls salt and water balances, and it influences our blood pressure. When a woman is pregnant and ready for childbirth, cortisol can also help to trigger the process.
The release of cortisol is liked to your daily activity patterns, and the cortisol levels are highest when you are most active and working. The main thing that causes additional releases of cortisol is stress. Stress can be anything from worrying about a test that you have the following day, to having to run for your life. In our ancestors this was mainly to help them survive life threatening situations but nowadays we do not have a lot of those situations. We are however exposed to stress more frequently. Our daily life is filled with all kinds of stress. First we go to school or to work, and then as soon as we get home we have a million things to fix. There are very few days when we aren't exposed to stress.
Cortisol helps the body to deal with stress but to much of it can be harmful. Too much cortisol over a long period of time can lead to a condition called Cushing's syndrome. The symptoms are rapid weight gain mainly in the face making it flushed and round, high blood pressure, muscle weakness, increased thirst an frequency of urination, and also big mood swings. Women can have some further symptoms like a lack of sex drive and irregular periods.