Bloor Integrative Health naturopathic doctors help patients with various stress-related conditions.
Naturopathy and Stress
Stress is something either internal or external that we have to adapt or change in response to. Stress can be psychological (past, present, real or perceived), environmental (allergens, toxins, temperature/climate changes) or physiological (chronic disease, acute illness, pain, chronic inflammation, lack of good quality sleep).
Our stress response starts in the brain with our amygdala and hypothalamus and then involves our adrenal glands (cortisol and adrenaline) and our nervous system (activation of our sympathetic nervous system to produce a “fight or flight response”. This cascade of activation and stress hormones produces physiological changes that can include an increased heart rate and blood pressure, increased respiration, tightening of muscles, the release of glucose into the bloodstream and an increased experience of alertness. These changes happen quickly and enable us to have a rapid response to danger.
Stress and Hormones
If stress continues, the initial acute surge of stress hormones subsides and a response that involves our hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal glands takes over. This is known as the HPA Axis. The HPA Axis keeps the nervous system in a sympathetic state and ends in the production of cortisol.
Long term, increased production of cortisol is responsible for various health concerns that can include:
- dysregulation of inflammation in the immune system,
- weight gain,
- increased blood pressure,
- anxiety and depression,
- insomnia,
- skin changes
- and a systemic effect on the other hormones in your body such as reproductive hormones
Adrenal Fatigue
Over time, if chronic stress continues, the adrenal glands cannot maintain an increased level of cortisol and it declines resulting in what naturopaths call “Adrenal Fatigue”.
Signs and symptoms of adrenal fatigue can include
- fatigue,
- weakness,
- mental confusion,
- dizziness,
- loss of appetite,
- increased aches and pains,
- low blood pressure,
- and low libido
Naturopathic Doctors Can Help Address Stress
Naturopathic doctors see many patients with stress-related concerns whether in acute stress, prolonged stress, a state of increased cortisol or decreased cortisol.
Testing
Cortisol can be tested either with blood testing or salivary testing to assess your levels. Lab testing will help inform an appropriate treatment course.
Common stress related concerns that our naturopathic doctors see in practice:
- Fatigue
- Depression and Anxiety
- Low and high blood pressure
- Chronic inflammation
- Weakened immune function/frequent colds
- ‘Adrenal fatigue’
- Changes to skin; hyperpigmentation, eczema, psoriasis