In the health vigilantism age, cortisol has been unfairly typecast as the villain - at least if social media scaremongering is anything to go by. #Cortisol would have you believe that having cortisol levels through the roof will have you knocking on death's door. But what is cortisol really, and how do we know if sky-high levels are actually the Grim Reaper knocking?

Meet Cortisol - Your Not-so Silent Partner in Stress Responses

Cortisol is a humble stress hormone, born out of our body's response to, you guessed it - stress. As Raza Sagarwala, MD, from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee puts it, "Cortisol is important for many bodily functions. It's not the devil it's often painted to be."

In a well-functioning, body, cortisol plays sheriff against inflammation. When nasty germs come knocking, cortisol steps in to rally the immune system troops. This is your body's way of doing its bit to keep you from succumbing to every bug going around.

Our bodies pump out cortisol like candy in a pinata during intense stress situations. If you were facing down a bear, for example, you'd definitely want your cortisol firing up and flagging the threat to your body. Nia Fogelman, PhD, of the Yale Stress Center, assures us that it's not a hormonal ticking time bomb, but a necessary responder designed to keep us safe.

But here's the kicker. When cortisol is too generous with its help, persistently elevated levels can potentially lessen the immune system's sensitivity to its inflammation-fighting powers. Chronic inflammation might be linked to diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, not to mention mental health issues like depression, anxiety and PTSD.

So, How Do I Know if My Cortisol is Throwing a Rager?

Here's where it gets tricky. Cortisol isn't one to give away its secrets easily. It doesn't advertise its presence with a neon sign, but there are some subtle hints. Sleep disruptions, unexpected irritability, and a newly found love for comfort food could be signs of higher cortisol levels. You might also notice physical symptoms like regular headaches or unexplained fatigue.

Now, if you're experiencing these symptoms and you're feeling like cortisol might be the bad guy after all, consider visiting your doctor. Don't fret if they aren't keen on testing your cortisol right off the bat. Generally, this isn't commonplace unless there's suspicion for conditions related to excessive cortisol, like Cushing syndrome, says Katie Guttenberg, MD, an endocrinologist at UT Health Houston.

So, When Should I Be Concerned?

Paying attention to your stress levels and the impact they have on your symptoms is the first step. Do symptoms ease up when stress levels go down and vice versa? If so, it might be time to ask your doctor about checking your cortisol and implementing some stress management strategies.

Dealing with Cortisol

Fortunately, keeping a leash on cortisol isn't a lost cause. Simple, scientifically supported steps can help keep your cortisol from going on a bender. Eating healthier, getting active, writing through stressful events, meditation, socializing, getting enough sleep, and enjoying or creating art can all contribute to lower cortisol levels.

So next time #Cortisol pops up in your feed, remember, it's not the villain it's made out to be. It's just a misunderstood hormone, trying to do its job. And as with all things, balance is key.