Stress is an inevitable part of life, but its consequences are not just mood swings and mental fatigue. Continual stress makes people produce extra cortisol, a hormone that has a critical role in adapting to short-term challenges, but chronically in high quantities it tends to cause harm to the body causing lots of physical and mental disorders.

The adrenal glands produce cortisol, which helps the body control its "fight, flight, or freeze" response. Cortisol temporarily adjusts blood sugar levels, maintains blood pressure, and assists the immune system, among other functions, in short spurts. But when stress persists, cortisol remains high, and necessary functions of the body are interfered with and rendered more susceptible to disease.

According to one survey conducted by the American Psychological Association, stress negatively affects a third of Americans' physical health. Concerns are reinforced by research where studies have shown 80% of primary care visits are stress-related.

But why does stress have such a profound impact? Elevated cortisol limits the immune system's ability to fight infections, disrupts hormonal balance, and triggers inflammation. Over time, these changes can lead to serious health complications.

Signs That High Cortisol Is Stressing Your Body

Persistent Eye Twitches

Do you have involuntary eye spasms? These harmless but annoying twitches often indicate elevated cortisol. The tiny muscles around the eyes are extremely sensitive to stress, contracting or spasming because of cortisol's stimulant-like effects.

Skin Breakouts and Sensitivity

Your skin often reflects what is going on inside your body, and chronic stress can cause inflammatory skin conditions. Elevated cortisol levels stimulate oil production, which exacerbates acne. It also slows down the healing process, worsens conditions like eczema, and contributes to general irritation of the skin.

Frequent Bloating and Digestive Issues

It also interferes with the body's balance of salt and water, which causes fluid retention and bloating. Excess cortisol also slows down blood flow to the digestive system, which further weakens gut bacteria and causes poor digestion, excess gas, and abdominal discomfort.

Weight Fluctuations

High cortisol stimulates the production of insulin, which can cause blood sugar to drop, making people want to eat sugary, high-fat foods. For many, this becomes an excuse to stress-eat and gain weight. For others, the opposite is true: their appetite disappears under stress, causing them to lose weight.

Unexplained Bruising

If you’re noticing random bruises, elevated cortisol could be the culprit. This hormone weakens skin proteins and the walls of small blood vessels, making your skin more fragile and prone to damage.

Cold Symptoms That Won’t Go Away

Do you feel rundown or experience muscle aches, fatigue, or upset stomach regularly? Elevated cortisol mimics cold-like symptoms. Long-term stress also weakens the immune system, making you more susceptible to infections.

Also Read: Stressed At Work? Your Sleep Might Be Paying The Price, New Study Shows

Vision Problems

Chronic stress can damage your eyesight. Elevated cortisol disrupts blood flow to the eyes, increases eye pressure, and raises the risk of glaucoma. Symptoms like dry eyes, blurred vision, and light sensitivity are also common.

Irregular Menstrual Cycles

Irregular Menstrual Cycles that disrupt the menstrual period. In females, this leads to hormonal distress causing irregular or missed periods. Over time, it may also disturb fertility.

Tinnitus or Persistent Ringing in the Ears

If you hear ringing, buzzing, or hissing sounds without an apparent source, stress might be the culprit. Cortisol affects the auditory system by interfering with blood flow and nerve function and could be the trigger for tinnitus.

Increased Inflammation and Chronic Disease

Increased levels of cortisol contribute to inflammation that can exacerbate conditions such as arthritis and promote the development of heart disease. Chronic inflammation is also associated with mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression.

Long-term Consequences of Increased Cortisol

Left unchecked, high cortisol levels can lead to more than just short-term discomfort. Chronic stress has been associated with serious conditions such as heart disease, psychiatric disorders, and metabolic syndromes. A 2013 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine underlined the link between stress and physical health, with recent research in Neurobiology of Stres supporting these findings.

Ways Managing Stress and Cortisol Levels

Managing stress and cortisol levels is essential for maintaining overall health. One effective approach is practicing mindfulness through meditation or yoga, which helps lower cortisol by calming the mind and promoting relaxation. Regular physical exercise, especially aerobic activities, helps reduce stress hormones and boosts endorphins. Prioritizing sleep is crucial, as lack of rest can increase cortisol levels; aim for 7-9 hours per night.

Another remedy is an overall balanced diet full of anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains that could manage cortisol production. Finally, it would prevent burnout and chronic stress if proper boundaries were set at work and in personal life.

Contracting the flu, Covid-19, or similar viral infections can significantly raise the chance of serious heart problems, according to new research. A review of 155 academic studies by the Journal of the American Heart Association found that both influenza and Covid-19 may increase the likelihood of heart attacks or strokes by three to five times in the weeks following infection.

Catching The Flu Or COVID-19 Sharply Raises Your Heart Risk

A comprehensive review in the Journal of the American Heart Association, which analyzed 155 studies, highlighted the following short-term cardiovascular risks compared with individuals who are not infected:

Influenza (Flu): Within the first month after a confirmed infection, the likelihood of experiencing a heart attack can increase up to fourfold, while the risk of stroke may rise fivefold. The greatest danger occurs during the first week.

COVID-19: Following infection, the risk of heart attack or stroke roughly triples within 14 weeks, and this heightened risk may persist for as long as a year.

Long-Term Risks From Persistent Viruses

Viruses that last longer in the body, such as HIV, hepatitis C, and varicella zoster (shingles), may also increase the long-term risk of cardiovascular issues. Published by the American Heart Association, the study underlines vaccination as a key way to reduce these risks, particularly for those already at risk of heart disease.

Viral Infections and Heart Disease: What Is The Link?

Lead author Associate Professor Kosuke Kawai from the University of California explained: "It is well recognised that viruses like HPV and hepatitis B can cause cancer, but the connection between viral infections and other non-communicable diseases, like cardiovascular disease, has been less clear. Our research found both acute and chronic viral infections are linked to short- and long-term risks of heart attacks and strokes."

How the Study Was Conducted

The team systematically reviewed all published studies examining links between viral infections and heart attacks or strokes. Out of an initial 52,000 studies, only 155 met the strict criteria for design and quality. Findings revealed that the risk of a heart attack was four times higher and the chance of a stroke five times higher in the month after lab-confirmed influenza.

For Covid-19, individuals were three times more likely to experience a heart attack and three times more likely to suffer a stroke within 14 weeks of infection, with risks lasting up to a year.

Risks From HIV, Hepatitis C, and Shingles

People living with HIV had a 60% higher risk of heart attacks and a 45% higher chance of strokes over more than five years. Elevated risks were also observed for those who had hepatitis C or shingles.

Dr Kawai added: "While the long-term cardiovascular risks from HIV, hepatitis C, and shingles are lower than the short-term risk from influenza or Covid-19, they are still significant, especially because they last for years. Shingles alone affects about one in three people, which means a substantial number of excess cardiovascular cases at the population level."

Despite the results, the researchers noted limitations, as the study was observational rather than based on controlled trials. Nevertheless, the team highlighted vaccination as a potentially crucial tool for lowering heart-related risks.

Who Is Eligible for Flu and Covid-19 Vaccinations?

Flu shots protect against influenza, which can be life-threatening for some groups. The NHS offers these vaccines each autumn or early winter to people most at risk of severe complications.

From September 1, six primary groups were eligible:

• Secondary school children (Years 7–11)
• Children in clinical risk groups aged six months to under 18 years
• Pregnant women
• Children aged two or three years as of August 31, 2025
• Children with certain long-term health conditions (six months to under 18 years)
• Primary school children (Reception to Year 6)

• Care home residents
• Carers receiving Carer’s Allowance or main carers of elderly/disabled individuals
• People living with immunocompromised individuals
• Frontline health and social care workers
• All adults aged 65 and over
• Adults aged 18–65 with long-term health conditions

From ground cinnamon to breakfast burritos, popcorn, and even pet food, food recalls in the U.S. seem to be appearing more often. Does this mean our food supply is becoming less safe? According to a report by compliance firm Sedgwick, the FDA and U.S. Department of Agriculture oversaw 294 food recalls in the first half of 2025. In the same period in 2024, the FDA had ordered the destruction of nearly 85 million units. USDA recalls impacted nearly 1.5 million pounds of food, almost three times more than last year.

Is this surge a sign that food production is failing, or does it reflect improvements in traceability? Perhaps the increase is due to better public access to information, allowing more recalls to be noticed. Or is U.S. food simply more contaminated than before?

Why Are Food Recalls Increasing In The U.S.?

The growing number of recalls has left shoppers worried about the safety of groceries. Experts, however, suggest that the increase doesn’t necessarily indicate declining food quality. Instead, it largely reflects advances in detecting contamination earlier and more efficiently.

As Lena Bakovic, MS, RDN, CNSC, from Live It Up explains, “The increase in the number of food recalls that we are seeing is likely largely due in part due to improvements in detection technologies, as well as generally stricter food safety testing requirements. Combined, these advancements help to provide earlier and more effective detection of potential contamination issues.”

Rather than showing a drop in quality, these recalls demonstrate that the system is working to protect public health. Improved testing and monitoring allow potential hazards to be identified and removed from shelves before reaching consumers.

Recent Food Recalls In The U.S.

In recent weeks, a number of U.S. food recalls have caught public attention. Over six million eggs from Black Sheep Egg Company were recalled due to possible salmonella contamination, impacting multiple states. Hormel Foods pulled nearly five million pounds of ready-to-eat chicken after metal fragments were discovered in food-service shipments. About 245,000 pounds of pre-cooked pasta, linked to a deadly listeria outbreak, were also recalled, causing several illnesses and deaths.

Frozen shrimp from various brands were removed over potential exposure to cesium-137, a radioactive isotope associated with cancer risk. More than two million pounds of Golden Island pork jerky were recalled after metal contamination was traced to a damaged conveyor belt. Additionally, ready-to-eat meals from meal-kit services like HelloFresh, Blue Apron, and Marley Spoon were pulled due to possible listeria contamination, which poses heightened risk to pregnant individuals, older adults, and immunocompromised people. Consumers are advised to discard or return affected products and consult healthcare professionals if needed.

Certain Foods Carry Higher Risks

Not all foods carry the same risk of contamination. Fresh produce, for example, is vulnerable because of its exposure during growth, harvesting, and transport. Packaged “ready-to-eat” meals can also be riskier because they bypass home cooking, a step that often eliminates harmful bacteria.

As Lena notes, “Some types of food are in fact more susceptible to contamination. Raw fruits and vegetables are examples of foods particularly in danger from microbial contamination due to their fresh condition, as well as exposure to potentially hazardous environmental influences. Additionally, food products which are commercially labelled and sold as ‘ready to eat’ can become more dangerous because they skip the at-home cooking process, which would likely eliminate any harmful pathogens in the first place.”

Health Risks of Consuming Recalled Food

The health effects of eating recalled food depend on the contaminant. Bacteria like salmonella or E. coli can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, while chemical or allergen contamination may trigger allergic reactions or other toxic effects that aren’t immediately apparent.

“The health consequences can really vary depending on the root cause of the contamination,” Lena explains. “Bacterial pathogens like salmonella or E. coli can produce foodborne illnesses inducing gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If a contaminant is a chemical or an allergen, allergy symptoms or other, potentially unknown, toxic effects are a possibility.”

How to Keep Up With Food Recalls

Understanding recall classifications and keeping up with alerts can help protect your family from potentially harmful products.

In the U.S., food recalls are classified into three levels:

Class I: The most serious category, used when a product poses a significant health risk and could cause severe illness or even death. Examples include foods contaminated with bacteria like Salmonella or items with undeclared allergens.

Class II: Applies to products that may cause temporary or reversible health issues. For instance, yeast or mold contamination falls under this category.

Class III: The least serious, covering minor issues that are unlikely to harm but still break regulations, such as mislabeling—like placing a watermelon-flavored item in an apple package—without allergen concerns.

To stay updated, you can sign up for notifications on the FDA website or check Recalls.gov regularly. Be aware that alerts may include non-food products, so some filtering may be needed.

In India, Pantop 40 has become almost a staple in many households, often consumed daily as casually as a multivitamin, particularly by those over 40. People frequently turn to it to manage acidity, often without considering the possible long-term consequences. What seems like a simple fix, however, can quietly lead to serious health issues. Recently, Dr. Shagun Agarwal, MBBS, M.S., FNB Joint Replacement, shared an advisory on Instagram highlighting the importance of limiting Pantop 40 use.

What Is Pantop 40 or Pantoprazole?

Pantoprazole is a medication designed to treat conditions caused by excessive stomach acid. It is commonly prescribed for erosive esophagitis or heartburn linked to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. It can also be used for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, a rare condition in which the stomach produces too much acid.

As a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), Pantoprazole works by lowering the amount of acid produced in the stomach. It is available only with a doctor’s prescription and comes in forms such as packets, delayed-release tablets, or powder for suspension.

Risks of Long-Term Pantop 40 Use

Many people in India rely on Pantop 40 regularly, often treating it as completely harmless. After the age of 40–50, taking it has almost become a routine, without fully appreciating the potential health risks.

Dr. Agarwal explains that using Pantoprazole for long periods can cause serious complications. It may lead to deficiencies in vitamin B12 and magnesium, weaken bones and increase the risk of fractures, inflame the kidneys, trigger digestive problems like IBS, and most concerningly, cause rebound acidity, where acid reflux becomes worse once the medication is stopped.

It is crucial to remember that Pantoprazole is only a temporary fix. While it reduces stomach acid, it does not address the root causes of acidity or other digestive issues. Relying solely on the drug may bring short-term relief, but it cannot replace the benefits of healthy lifestyle adjustments.

Pantop 40: Recommended Dosage

Dosage varies depending on the patient and condition. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully. The following information reflects general guidelines:

For erosive esophagitis:

• Adults: 40 mg once daily for up to 8 weeks. In certain cases, your doctor may extend the duration.
• Children 5 years and older weighing 40 kg or more: 40 mg once daily for up to 8 weeks.
• Children 5 years and older weighing 15–39 kg: 20 mg once daily for up to 8 weeks.
• Children under 5 years: Use and dose must be determined by a doctor.

For Zollinger-Ellison syndrome:

• Adults: 40 mg twice daily initially, with possible adjustments as advised by the doctor.
• Children: Use and dose determined by a doctor.

Lifestyle Changes Are Key

Dr. Agarwal emphasizes that many people rely on Pantop 40 to avoid changing their habits. Small, consistent lifestyle adjustments can have a significant impact on acidity. Eating smaller meals, avoiding trigger foods like coffee, fried, or spicy items, having dinner 2–3 hours before bedtime, and losing 5–10% of body weight can reduce acidity by nearly half, often without the need for long-term medication.