Cortisol
Cortisol also called the stress hormone, is produced in the adrenal gland. It is a cortiocosteroid, often known as a steroid hormone.[1]
The purpose of cortisol is to help the body:
- metabolize glucose
- control blood pressure
- suppress immunity
- an inflammatory response
Corticosteroids can also be used to replace certain hormones to treat illnesses. Addison’s disease is one.
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Corticosteroids
A Synthetic hormone normally produced by the adrenal glands. They’re used to treat conditions like:[1]
- asthma
- allergic rhinitis and hayfever
- atopic eczema
- urticaria (hives)
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- painful and inflamed joints, muscles and tendons
- lupus
- inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
- giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica
- multiple sclerosis (MS)
Cortisol Media
Change in plasma cortisol cycle (mcg/dL) over 24 hours
Steroidogenesis, showing cortisol at right
Related pages
References
Other websites
- Cortisol Archived 2012-11-01 at the Wayback Machine
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