Have you ever been so tired that you could barely keep your eyes open, only to awaken in the middle of the night with your mind suddenly racing?
You look at the clock. It's 2:00, 3:00, or perhaps 4:00 in the morning. Your body is exhausted, but your brain seems ready to start the day.
You might find yourself thinking about everything you need to accomplish, remembering things you forgot to do, or even developing new ideas. Going back to sleep seems impossible.Sound familiar?
Last month, we introduced the subject of cortisol balance and its influence on metabolism. The response suggested that a deeper look at cortisol might be worthwhile. People contacting us described extreme fatigue, immune concerns, breathing difficulties, and problems managing their weight. But one complaint stood out: waking between 2 and 4 a.m. and being unable to return to sleep.
That recurring observation led us to ask a question:Could there be a common biological connection among symptoms that seem completely unrelated?
When Symptoms Don't Fit Neatly into Categories
In my own search for answers, I've sometimes encountered a frustrating situation. I describe a symptom, and the conversation quickly turns toward a medication rather than an investigation into why the symptom is occurring.
For example, I reported that my blood pressure sometimes increased after eating. One specialist questioned whether that was possible. I had brought research suggesting that post-meal blood-pressure changes can occur under certain circumstances, but we were unable to have a productive discussion about it.
That experience left me wondering how often people encounter similar difficulties when their symptoms don't fit familiar patterns.
Blood pressure can change after meals, although the mechanisms vary. Some people experience a decrease, while others may experience an increase. The important question is what is happening in that particular individual.
The same reasoning may apply to cortisol.