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.

British pop star Jessie J has shared an update on her recovery after undergoing a second breast reconstruction surgery.

The 38-year-old singer-songwriter took to Instagram to share a series of photos, including one taken after her latest surgery. In the picture, she is seen wearing a hospital gown and giving a thumbs-up, with the caption, “to healing.”

The post marks Jessie’s first update since September, when she announced she would be taking a break from social media ahead of her surgery.

Jessie was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in 2025 and underwent a mastectomy. She announced in May 2026 that she was cancer-free.

Sharing the emotional news on Instagram, she admitted she "sobbed for hours and then exhaled for the first time in a year."

Jessie J’s Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Also read: World Breast Cancer Day 2026: Life After Breast Cancer, The Fear No One Sees

Jessie announced her diagnosis in June 2025, shortly after performing at Capital’s Summertime Ball at London’s Wembley Stadium. She spoke candidly about her diagnosis and the surgery she would undergo.

In a video message, she shared that she had been “in and out of tests” before receiving a diagnosis of early breast cancer.

“Cancer sucks in any form,” she said, adding that she was holding on to the word “early.”

Using her characteristic dark humor, she described the surgery as “a very dramatic way to get a boob job” and told her followers, “I will come back with massive boobs and more music.”

However, she also spoke openly about the emotional toll of the diagnosis, saying, “I need to process it and talk about it” and “I need a hug.”

What Is Breast Reconstruction Surgery?

Breast reconstruction surgery aims to restore the shape and contour of the breast after a mastectomy, which involves removing the entire breast. Depending on the cancer and the treatment plan, nearby skin and lymph nodes may also be removed.

Following a mastectomy, patients may choose breast reconstruction to restore breast shape and symmetry. The procedure can be performed at the same time as the mastectomy or at a later date, depending on the patient's circumstances and treatment plan.

Read More: Experts Explain Most Overlooked Breast Changes That Can Delay Diagnosis In Men

Why Do Some Patients Need Multiple Breast Reconstruction Surgeries?

According to the American Cancer Society, breast reconstruction often involves more than one operation. The number and type of procedures depend on the reconstruction method, the patient's needs and the desired outcome.

There are two main types of breast reconstruction:

• Implant reconstruction: A saline or silicone implant is used to rebuild the breast.
• Tissue flap reconstruction: Tissue taken from another part of the body is used to reconstruct the breast.

In some cases, surgeons combine the two approaches.

Reconstruction may be immediate, taking place during breast cancer surgery, or delayed until a later date. Both implant-based and tissue flap reconstruction can be performed using either approach.

After the initial reconstruction, some patients may undergo additional procedures to refine the breast's appearance or feel. These may include fat grafting, scar revision or procedures to recreate the nipple and areola, sometimes using medical tattooing.

Benefits And Risks Of Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction can help restore breast shape and symmetry after a mastectomy. For some patients, it may also improve body image, confidence and emotional well-being. However, the benefits vary from person to person.

As with other surgical procedures, breast reconstruction carries potential risks and complications, including:

• Infection
• Fluid or blood accumulation
• Delayed wound healing
• Changes in sensation
• Implant-related complications
• Capsular contracture
• Blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism
• Psychological effects.

Low-dose naltrexone has received plenty of attention as a strong candidate for treating people with chronic fatigue after COVID-19. But a new randomised clinical trial has found no significant improvement in fatigue, pain or any other symptoms when compared to a placebo.

The study, posted on medRxiv, examined low-dose naltrexone (LDN) in adults with post-COVID fatigue syndrome. The findings challenge hopes that an existing repurposed drug could provide relief for people whose symptoms have not subsided months after infection.

The paper has not yet undergone peer review, which means its findings have not been independently evaluated in a formal manner.

Study Based On 160 Adults With Long COVID

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160 adults aged 19 to 69 from British Columbia and Ontario, Canada participated in the trial. Participants had developed symptoms that resembled myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) after a SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Researchers randomly assigned participants either low-dose naltrexone or a placebo for 16 weeks. The naltrexone dose began at 1 milligram daily and increased to a maximum of 4.5 milligrams, depending on how participants tolerated the treatment.

The main outcome was fatigue severity, which was measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale. At the end of the study, the average fatigue score was 4.2 in the LDN group and 4.4 in the placebo group.

The difference between the groups was not statistically significant, meaning the trial proved that the drug did not improve fatigue.

Researchers also found no significant differences between the groups in pain, overall ME/CFS symptoms, daily step counts or any other health aspects related to quality of life.

These results suggest that LDN did not provide any measurable benefit for the participants. The study also found that LDN was generally well tolerated over the 16-week period.

However, adverse events classified as grade 3 or higher were reported in five participants in the LDN group, or 6.2%, compared with three participants in the placebo group or 3.8%.

Why Has Low-Dose Naltrexone Attracted Interest?

Also read: 'I Never Recovered From That Crash': US Physicist Recalls Her Years-Long Battle With Long COVID

Naltrexone is an established medicine used at standard doses to treat alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder. At much lower doses, it has been tested for conditions involving chronic pain, inflammation and fatigue.

LDN’s effects on immune signalling and inflammatory conditions have sparked interest in its potential use for long COVID, a condition that can involve fatigue, cognitive difficulties, pain, breathlessness and symptoms affecting several biological functions.

Researchers Caution

The findings apply specifically to adults with post-COVID fatigue syndrome who met the study’s criteria for ME/CFS-like symptoms.

Long COVID refers to symptoms that occur after a SARS-CoV-2 infection and cannot be explained by another diagnosis. Symptoms vary widely and may include fatigue, cognitive difficulties, breathlessness, sleep disturbances and problems with everyday activities.

Some people improve over time, while others experience prolonged illness that affects their ability to lead routine lives.

The results do not mean that long COVID symptoms are untreatable. Instead, they highlight how difficult it can be to identify effective treatments for a condition with varied symptoms.

There are currently no FDA-approved medicines specifically for long COVID, and care often focuses on managing individual symptoms.

People taking or considering naltrexone should discuss its benefits and risks with a healthcare professional rather than starting or changing treatment on their own.

Low-dose aspirin could play a key role in lowering the risk of dementia significantly in some older adults, according to a new genetic analysis. However, the benefit does not come without a complication: major bleeding.

The study, led by researchers at Monash University in Australia, is based on data from more than 13,500 participants in the ASPREE trial, which investigated the effects of low-dose aspirin in older adults. The study was published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Researchers found that the benefit was mostly seen among people with a specific genetic trait linked with platelet count.

70% Lower Dementia Risk Was Seen Among Older Adults

Also read: Aspirin & Colon Cancer: Lancet Study Explains Why It Could Help At An Earlier Stage But Not After Spread

Platelets are small blood components that help form clots and stop bleeding. Researchers have previously examined how aggregation of platelets might contribute to dementia, but the role of genetically influenced platelet counts still remains unclear.

The researchers examined genetic scores related to platelet count and compared dementia results among participants who were either assigned aspirin or placebo.

Among people in the highest 20% of platelet count genetic scores, dementia developed in 1% of those taking aspirin, compared with 3.3% of those receiving a placebo. This represented approximately a 70% lower risk.

Lead author Dr Peter Fransquet, a research fellow at Monash University's School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, said, “Previous trials found aspirin didn't prevent dementia when everyone was considered together.”

“Our findings suggest there may be more to the story,” he said.

Risk Of Bleeding Increased

Also read: Trump Says He ‘Psychologically’ Needs To Pop Aspirin Every Day: But Is It Actually Safe?

The benefit was accompanied by a safety concern. Among participants in the same genetic subgroup, major bleeding occurred in 4.4% of those assigned to aspirin, compared to 2.1% of those given a placebo. That is a difference of 2.3 percentage points in both dementia cases and major bleeding events. In other words, the lower dementia rate cannot be considered in isolation from the increased bleeding risk.

Aspirin reduces the ability of platelets to form clots. This can be useful for certain people who need to take precaution against cardiovascular events, but it can also increase the risk of serious bleeding, including bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract or brain.

The study therefore does not prove that aspirin offers a favourable overall balance of benefits and harms for people with this genetic profile.

Could This Help Personalise Dementia Prevention?

The researchers found that the genetic signal was not linked to established genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Instead, it pointed towards platelet factor as a possible direction for further research.

“What's particularly interesting is that the signal wasn't linked to the established genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and dementia,” Fransquet said. “Instead, it's pointing us towards platelet biology and gives us a new avenue to investigate.”

The findings could contribute to more personalised approaches to dementia prevention, in which treatments are tailored to characteristics that influence how individuals respond. But the results need to be replicated in other populations and tested in a clinical trial specifically designed for people with the identified genetic profile.

Fransquet said, “People shouldn’t start taking aspirin to prevent dementia on the basis of this study without consulting with their doctor, particularly given the increased risk of serious bleeding,” he said.