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/ MetroNorthHHS
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9 hours ago

Has cortisol been ruling your social media feed recently? You may be surprised to know that not all cortisol is bad. 📈📉

Take it from Metro North Endocrinologist Dr Shanal, who says that peaks and troughs in this stress hormone are essential to daily function, and that a natural spike in the morning can help prepare your body for the day.

"You may experience something that triggers your fight, flight or freeze response and that might activate your sympathetic nervous system which prompts physical responses like a racing heart and sweating. This would be followed by a cortisol surge" Dr Shanal explains.

"In the healthy state, shortly after cortisol returns to baseline levels. There is evidence to suggest that trying to flip into the counteracting system (the parasympathetic nervous system) can reduce cortisol. Breathwork, meditation and sleep are very important, so if you are sleep deprived, you might be experiencing high cortisol levels.

"Those with persistently high cortisol, without the natural ups and downs and clinical symptoms such as rapid weight gain, new diabetes, headaches or visual disturbances might have Cushing's and this requires investigation with your doctor to first screen then confirm excess cortisol. On the flip side, persistently low cortisol presents a medical emergency called Addison's disease and can be diagnosed with a blood and stimulation (synacthen) test."
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Has cortisol been ru
/ metronorthhealth
Has cortisol been ruling your social media feed recently? You may be surprised to know that not all cortisol is bad. 📈📉

Take it from Metro North Endocrinologist Dr Shanal, who says that peaks and troughs in this stress hormone are essential to daily function, and that a natural spike in the morning can help prepare your body for the day.
 
"You may experience something that triggers your fight, flight or freeze response and that might activate your sympathetic nervous system which prompts physical responses like a racing heart and sweating. This would be followed by a cortisol surge" Dr Shanal explains.
 
"In the healthy state, shortly after cortisol returns to baseline levels. There is evidence to suggest that trying to flip into the counteracting system (the parasympathetic nervous system) can reduce cortisol. Breathwork, meditation and sleep are very important, so if you are sleep deprived, you might be experiencing high cortisol levels.
 
"Those with persistently high cortisol, without the natural ups and downs and clinical symptoms such as rapid weight gain, new diabetes, headaches or visual disturbances might have Cushing's and this requires investigation with your doctor to first screen then confirm excess cortisol. On the flip side, persistently low cortisol presents a medical emergency called Addison's disease and can be diagnosed with a blood and stimulation (synacthen) test."

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Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alanna is looking for someone to take over from her when she retires later this year, after 12 years in the role, 42 years in Metro North and 45 years in the professions of nursing and midwifery! 👩‍🍼👩‍⚕️
 
“The right person for this role will need a willingness to work hard but equally an ability to have fun while they do it,” she said.
 
“This role is amazing because you get to work with great people in a dynamic environment and you are at the forefront of innovation, industry partnerships, and supporting the state as the biggest HHS in the country.

“I am so proud to have led the professions of nursing and midwifery in this wonderful health service and now it is time for someone else to take the reins and lead us into the future.”

Have you got what it takes? Click the link in our bio and apply today. #WorkforusWednesday

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Ever wondered how many steps our ‘wardies’ rack up each shift? 🚶‍♂️‍➡️

Take a stroll with TPCH Patient Support Officer Steve and find out what he gets up to in a day and why he loves being a PSO.

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"On Father's Day I was doing a few chores around the house before heading to my son's place for a barbecue, however I was feeling really crook. I'd been having breathing problems for the last 12 months, but it had become more severe in the last six, so I decided to call the ambulance because I felt that something was not right. I went to the hospital in Hervey Bay for a few days before they told me I had to come down to The Prince Charles. I had already been diagnosed with Aortic Stenosis previously and we had to do something about it. I came via the Royal Flying Doctor Service and had lots of tests before having my procedure and have been recovering well. Whilst I've been very happy with my stay here and the staff are top notch; I don't want to end up back in hospital so going to take my recovery slowly and I'm looking forward to going home to my Jack Russel Zoe!"

💭 Monday Mantra, John, TPCH Cardiac Patient

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