There was also a relationship between PTSD severity and metabolism (OR = 1.141, 95% CI = 1.002–1.280, P = 0.037) in women, and PTSD was inversely associated with the hypertension component (OR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.31–0.92, P = . 023) in men. PTSD was related to metabolic syndrome only in women.
There are multiple potential mechanisms for weight changes in individuals with PTSD: (1) sleep deprivation caused by PTSD, as shorter sleep duration has been linked to higher obesity prevalence (10), (2) emotional or mood states of those with PTSD may decrease physical activity (11), (3) PTSD associated coping ...
Trauma possibly triggers excess signaling of catabolic hormones—such as cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and glucagon. Over time, this excess signaling can impact metabolic health. Excess cortisol, for example, appears to elevate blood sugar, which can eventually make cells insulin resistant.
Experiencing PTSD symptoms is associated with increased risk of becoming overweight or obese, and PTSD symptom onset alters BMI trajectories over time. The presence of PTSD symptoms should raise clinician concerns about physical health problems that may develop and prompt closer attention to weight status.
You might gain weight – particularly around your stomach
Additionally, when cortisol levels are high, it can also lead to excessive eating and cravings for sugary and fatty foods, which can further contribute to weight gain.
People with PTSD may also experience physical symptoms, such as increased blood pressure and heart rate, fatigue, muscle tension, nausea, joint pain, headaches, back pain or other types of pain. The person in pain may not realize the connection between their pain and a traumatic event.
PTSD may lead to disturbances in functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system, each of which is involved in regulating a broad range of body processes, including metabolism.
Re-experiencing is the most typical symptom of PTSD. This is when a person involuntarily and vividly relives the traumatic event in the form of: flashbacks. nightmares.
One previous meta-analysis attempted to quantify the risk of metabolic syndrome among people with PTSD; they found that people with PTSD have an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome compared with the general population (odds ratio [OR] 1.37 [95%CI = 1.03–1.82; n = 528]).
Factors that affect our BMR
Body size – larger adult bodies have more metabolising tissue and a larger BMR. Amount of lean muscle tissue – muscle burns kilojoules rapidly. Amount of body fat – fat cells are 'sluggish' and burn far fewer kilojoules than most other tissues and organs of the body.
Your body needs a minimum number of calories (the basal metabolic rate or BMR) to sustain these functions. Factors like age, sex, muscle mass and physical activity affect metabolism or BMR.
Women with PTSD may be more likely than men with PTSD to: Be easily startled. Have more trouble feeling emotions or feel numb. Avoid things that remind them of the trauma.
PTSD Symptoms Later in Life
Having retired from work may make your symptoms feel worse, because you have more time to think and fewer things to distract you from your memories. Having medical problems and feeling like you are not as strong as you used to be also can increase symptoms.
After practicing TRE® people often use the words 'grounded', 'relaxed' and 'calmer' to describe their feelings. After a period of several months people have reported relief from illnesses such as Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Eczema and IBS.
Eat mostly whole grains, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. Balance your meals with protein and fat. Make half of your plate colorful vegetables and divide the other half between a lean protein (fish, beans, lean cuts of meat) and whole grain carbohydrates (brown rice, bulgur wheat, barley, sweet potatoes, quinoa).
Reliving aspects of what happened
vivid flashbacks (feeling like the trauma is happening right now) intrusive thoughts or images. nightmares. intense distress at real or symbolic reminders of the trauma.
That's what PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is—our body's overreaction to a small response, and either stuck in fight and flight or shut down. People who experience trauma and the shutdown response usually feel shame around their inability to act, when their body did not move.
People reported positive change in five areas: they had a renewed appreciation for life; they found new possibilities for themselves; they felt more personal strength; their relationships improved; and they felt spiritually more satisfied.
When there's an overload on the adrenal system, someone with PTSD might experience a variety of symptoms such as fatigue, exhaustion and an overload of stress. The bottom line is that fatigue (and often inexplicable fatigue) very often accompanies symptoms of PSTD.