As for why cortisol varies throughout the day: "Cortisol is very important in helping a person transition from sleep to wakefulness," Zalzala explained. "This triggers a 'morning cortisol surge' -- a ...

Primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI), also known as Addison’s disease, is the result of the destruction or impaired function of adrenocortical cells. An autoimmune process is responsible.

Cortisol is a hormone released by your adrenal glands in response to stress. When your body’s under chronic stress (not enough sleep, too much caffeine, skipping meals), cortisol patterns can ...

Adrenal insufficiency is a rare condition in which the adrenal glands fail to produce enough hormones, such as cortisol. It can be life-threatening if untreated.