Does your face get puffy generally? Do you sometimes expertise the emotion often called “stress”? In line with a number of the planet’s foremost medical thinkers (TikTok influencers), these aren’t merely inevitable penalties of existence; they’re indicators that you’ll have so-called “cortisol face”.
Cortisol is the physique’s foremost stress hormone. In line with a whole lot of clips on social media, an extra of stress – and, by extension, an extra of cortisol – leads to a spherical, puffy face. “You’re not ugly, you simply have cortisol face,” is a widespread chorus in these movies. In posts, customers share earlier than and after photos of themselves by which they go from having a spherical, full face to a lean one – all jutting cheekbones and sharp jawlines.
“The rationale you’re getting a double chin, you may have puffy eyelids, and your cheeks are sagging is as a result of your excessive cortisol is silently altering the way in which your face appears to be like,” one video claims.
Moreover the specific fat-shaming in these messages, the science doesn’t fairly maintain up. “‘Cortisol face’ is just not a acknowledged medical time period,” explains Dr Priya Jaisinghani, an endocrinologist at New York College’s Langone Well being.
Extended excessive ranges of cortisol can have opposed well being results. Over time, an extra of cortisol can result in Cushing’s syndrome, a situation that may end up in hypertension, bone loss and infrequently sort 2 diabetes. However Cushing’s syndrome is comparatively uncommon, consultants say.
We requested consultants for the reality behind this new wellness time period.
What’s cortisol and the way does it have an effect on our well being?
“Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands,” says Dr Adam Friedman, professor and chair of dermatology on the George Washington College college of medication and well being sciences. He explains that it performs an important position in various the physique’s features, together with regulating metabolism, managing our immune and stress responses and sustaining blood stress.
“With out the correct quantity of cortisol we are able to’t survive,” says Friedman. However an excessive amount of of it “is a nasty factor”.
Medical doctors can verify your cortisol ranges by testing your blood, urine or saliva.
What’s Cushing’s syndrome?
There are two kinds of Cushing’s syndrome, says Dr Maria Fleseriu, director of the pituitary heart at Oregon Well being & Science College: exogenous (the results of an element exterior the physique) and endogenous (the results of an element contained in the physique).
Exogenous Cushing’s syndrome is often the results of steroid remedies, particularly glucocorticoid medicines like cortisone and prednisone. These can increase ranges of cortisol within the physique.
That is much more widespread than endogenous Cushing’s syndrome, which will be attributable to a pituitary tumor or an adrenal gland dysfunction.
Whereas day-to-day stress can contribute to weight acquire, Friedman says, it’s unlikely to take action “to the extent seen in medical syndrome like Cushing’s”.
“Cushing’s syndrome is uncommon,” says Fleseriu, who estimates there are 4 to 5 circumstances of endogenous Cushing’s per million folks per 12 months worldwide.
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Is cortisol face actual?
Type of, however not in the way in which it’s typically mentioned on TikTok. As Jaisinghani says, it’s not a medical time period.
Weight acquire within the face and neck is a typical symptom of Cushing’s syndrome, however that alone is just not sufficient for a prognosis, says Fleseriu. “The scientific prognosis of Cushing’s may be very difficult,” she explains. When figuring out whether or not a affected person has the situation or not, Fleseriu says she appears to be like for “multiple symptom”.
Different signs of Cushing’s embrace pink and purple stretch marks on the abdomen, hypertension, skinny pores and skin that bruises simply, a lump of fats between the shoulders and weight acquire within the face and torso whereas limbs and extremities stay skinny.
How does one regulate their cortisol ranges?
The danger of growing Cushing’s syndrome is comparatively low. However Jaisinghani says folks can handle their stress and cortisol ranges by tending to their total well being. She suggests “sustaining a nutrient-dense food plan, guaranteeing enough and high-quality sleep, staying well-hydrated and incorporating stress discount methods”.
If one is recognized with Cushing’s syndrome, remedies fluctuate. If it’s exogenous, Fleseriu warns that it’s important to not cease or cut back the usage of glucocorticoid medicines with out the supervision of a health care provider. “Stopping steroids instantly might put them in adrenal disaster,” she explains.
Within the case of endogenous Cushing’s, sufferers might take medicine, or endure surgical procedure or radiation to take away any tumors. Typically, these remedies are profitable. “We will induce remission in nearly everyone proper now,” Fleseriu says.
For those who do suppose your cortisol ranges are excessive, don’t flip to TikTok for solutions. “In case you are involved about your cortisol ranges, it’s essential to seek the advice of along with your physician,” Jaisinghani says.
