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HPA Axis Disruption

Meaning

HPA Axis Disruption refers to an imbalance or dysregulation in the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis, the central neuroendocrine system that governs the body’s physiological response to stress and regulates numerous processes including metabolism, immunity, and mood. This disruption can manifest as either hyper- or hypo-cortisolism, reflecting a chronic alteration in the negative feedback loop that normally maintains cortisol homeostasis. Clinically, a disrupted HPA axis is implicated in conditions ranging from chronic fatigue and sleep disorders to anxiety and metabolic syndrome.