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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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 that disrupt the menstrual period. In females, this leads to hormonal distress causing irregular or missed periods. Over time, it may also disturb fertility.
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 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.
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.
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.
In most cases, a few careful habits are enough to prevent eye health from getting worse. (Photo credit: AI generated)
Summer can be difficult for the eyes, often in ways people do not immediately notice. Most of the attention during this season goes to drinking enough water, avoiding heat, and protecting the skin. Eye care usually comes much later, often only after discomfort begins. Long hours in the sun, dry surroundings, heat, and outdoor exposure can all leave the eyes feeling uneasy, especially over repeated days.
“During the summer season, we commonly see an increase in patients presenting with ocular surface discomfort, including dryness, itching, redness, burning sensation, and watering. Prolonged exposure to heat, ultraviolet radiation, dust, and air-conditioned environments can disturb the normal tear film and aggravate underlying allergic or dry eye conditions. In some cases, repeated eye rubbing and poor hygiene may also increase the risk of secondary irritation or infection. Timely preventive care and early attention to persistent symptoms are important to avoid worsening of these seasonal eye concerns,” says Dr Niteen Dedhia, Medical Director, Ojas Maxivision Super Specialty Eye Hospitals.
A common experience during summer is that the eyes simply do not feel as comfortable as they usually do. There may be a slight burning sensation, or the eyes may feel tired much earlier in the day, especially after being outdoors or spending hours in cooled indoor spaces. With the body losing fluids more quickly in hot weather, the eyes can also feel the effects. Many people do not immediately connect this discomfort to dehydration, but it plays a bigger role than expected. Added screen time indoors only makes this more noticeable.
During summer, the eyes are exposed to many small everyday irritants. Dust on the roads, dry wind, pollution, and even sweat can all add to the discomfort. In some people, this shows up as itching, mild redness, or watering that keeps returning. Rubbing the eyes may feel like the easiest response, but it often makes the irritation worse. If this continues for days, even a minor problem can start feeling quite troublesome.
Spending time in strong sunlight can be more exhausting for the eyes than most people realise. It is not just the brightness — by the end of the day, the eyes may feel heavy, watery, or unusually sensitive to light. Many people wear sunglasses, but not every pair is suitable for eye protection. Dark lenses may reduce glare, but that does not always mean they are blocking harmful rays. This is one reason discomfort can continue even when someone feels they have protected their eyes properly.
Managing summer eye discomfort does not require anything complicated. Staying well hydrated throughout the day helps more than most people expect. Using good-quality sunglasses, limiting time in the harsh afternoon sun, and simply rinsing the eyes after coming back from outside can ease a lot of irritation. Clean habits also matter in day-to-day care. Using your own towel, avoiding frequent hand contact with the eyes, and stepping away from screens occasionally can all help reduce strain and irritation.
Frequent heartburn is far from normal; doctors recommend getting it checked timely to rule out cancer. (Photo credit: AI generated)
Most people treat heartburn the way they treat a bad day: they reach for an antacid and move on. But for some patients, that familiar burning sensation is not just a digestive nuisance. It can be an early sign of something far more serious. A type of cancer called gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma develops quietly at the point where the food pipe meets the stomach, and it is frequently mistaken for routine acidity—until it is not.
Dr Ankit Jain, Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology, at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, in an interaction with Health and Me, spoke about the difference between cancer and heartburn symptoms.
The gastroesophageal junction is simply the meeting point between the oesophagus and the stomach. When stomach acid repeatedly irritates this area over months or years, the lining can begin to change at a cellular level. This change, known as Barrett’s oesophagus, is a precancerous condition that often develops silently in people with chronic acid reflux. If left undetected, it can progress to GEJ adenocarcinoma. The tricky part is that this cancer does not behave exactly like oesophageal cancer or stomach cancer. It sits between the two, and that makes both diagnosis and treatment more nuanced.
Heartburn is common across India, yet certain symptoms should not be brushed aside as routine acidity. If any of the following are present, a doctor’s visit should not be delayed:
These are not panic triggers; they are signals worth investigating promptly.
For patients over 40 with long-standing reflux, obesity, a smoking history, or a family history of upper digestive cancers, a baseline endoscopy is a reasonable and potentially life-saving step. GEJ adenocarcinoma caught early is far more treatable than the same cancer found at an advanced stage. The window for early detection exists, but it requires action before symptoms become severe. Persistent reflux deserves more than a repeat prescription. Sometimes, it deserves a closer look.
Credit: AI generated
India is taking significant steps to enhance its vaccination strategy, with a special focus on adults, particularly those aged 55 and above, said Dr. N K Arora, Member of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation in India (NTAGI), as part of the World Immunization Week.
NTAGI is the highest advisory body on immunization in the country, which consists of independent experts who provide recommendations on vaccines after reviewing data on disease burden, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of vaccines.
In an exclusive interaction with HealthandMe, Dr. Arora shared that the country “is in the process of establishing priority pathogens and vaccines aimed at the adult population”.
This initiative will target those above the age of 55 or 60 to tackle infections that are particularly serious in older individuals, especially those living with chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.
“The process has started. This year, we will be moving in that direction,” said Dr. Arora.
The expert lauded the introduction of the HPV vaccine for young girls. Dr. Arora highlighted the critical importance of this initiative, given India’s status as the country with the highest number of cervical cancer cases globally.
"Cervical cancer is preventable by the HPV vaccine, and we are now in the fortunate position of having a domestically manufactured vaccine," he explained.
The first round of vaccinations has already commenced, and Dr. Arora urged the media and public to dispel any misinformation surrounding the vaccine to ensure its success.
Further, the vaccine expert highlighted the potential introduction of an indigenous dengue vaccine, currently undergoing trials.
“The trials will take at least two and a half years, which means by the end of 28, we will have the results,” Dr. Arora said.
He emphasized the severity of dengue when it turns from a mild illness into a severe one, particularly among young adults.
The dengue vaccine, being developed indigenously, is expected to play a crucial role in protecting the 10-20 age group, who are most susceptible to severe dengue cases.
“We are waiting for the results of the trials, and once the vaccine is recommended by the NTAGI, the system will be ready to adopt it,” said Dr. Arora.
Dr. Arora stated that India, known as the pharmacy of the world, is playing a significant role in the global vaccine landscape.
“One feels very proud to be an Indian as every vaccine administered in India is made in India,” he said, noting that India also "provides two-thirds of the global vaccine supply".
This achievement positions India as a global leader in vaccine research and development, contributing substantially to global health initiatives.
"These initiatives are vital for the future of public health in India," Dr. Arora said.
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