Yes. Emotional, physical, and environmental stressors—like holiday travel, family gatherings, changing routines, or financial pressure—can meaningfully affect health.

Stress activates cortisol, which can:

• Disrupt thyroid function and sex hormones
• Trigger fatigue, irritability, night sweats, or sleep changes
• Weaken immune defenses, increasing susceptibility to colds and viruses
• Influence digestive motility and gut inflammation

Many of the hormonal symptoms patients experience—such as mood swings, irregular cycles, low libido, and fatigue—can worsen around stressful seasons. This aligns with my focus on endocrinology and whole-person medicine, treating both physiology and lifestyle factors.

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