Disorders of cortisol production
Some medical disorders are related to abnormal cortisol production, such as:

Primary hypercortisolism (Cushings syndrome): excessive levels of cortisolSecondary hypercortisolism (pituitary tumor resulting in Cushings disease, pseudo-Cushings syndrome)
Primary hypocortisolism (Addisons disease, Nelsons syndrome): insufficient levels of cortisol
Secondary hypocortisolism (pituitary tumor, Sheehans syndrome)

Regulation
The primary control of cortisol is the pituitary gland peptide, ACTH, which probably controls cortisol by controlling the movement of calcium into the cortisol-secreting target cells. ACTH is in turn controlled by the hypothalamic peptide corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which is under nervous control. CRH acts synergistically with arginine vasopressin, angiotensin II, and epinephrine. (In swine, which do not produce arginine vasopressin, lysine vasopressin acts synergistically with CRH.) When activated macrophages start to secrete IL-1, which synergistically with CRH increases ACTH, T-cells also secrete glucosteroid response modifying factor (GRMF), as well as IL-1; both increase the amount of cortisol required to inhibit almost all the immune cells. Immune cells then assume their own regulation, but at a higher cortisol setpoint. The increase in cortisol in diarrheic calves is minimal over healthy calves, however, and falls over time. The cells do not lose all their fight-or-flight override because of interleukin-1s synergism with CRH. Cortisol even has a negative feedback effect on interleukin-1—especially useful to treat diseases that force the hypothalamus to secrete too much CRH, such as those caused by endotoxic bacteria. The suppressor immune cells are not affected by GRMF, so the immune cells effective setpoint may be even higher than the setpoint for physiological processes.
Signs and symptoms
Colic is defined as episodes of crying for more than three hours a day, for more than three days a week for at least a three-week duration in an otherwise healthy child. It is most common around six weeks of age and gets better by six months of age. By contrast, infants normally cry an average of just over two hours a day, with the duration peaking at six weeks. With colic, periods of crying most commonly happen in the evening and for no obvious reason. Associated symptoms may include legs pulled up to the stomach, a flushed face, clenched hands, and a wrinkled brow. The cry is often high pitched (piercing). Effect on the family
An infant with colic may affect family stability and be a cause of short-term anxiety or depression in the father and mother. It may also contribute to exhaustion and stress in the parents.Persistent infant crying has been associated with severe marital discord, postpartum depression, early termination of breastfeeding, frequent visits to doctors, and a quadrupling of excessive laboratory tests and prescription of medication for acid reflux. Babies with colic may be exposed to abuse, especially shaken baby syndrome.In 2019 Cochrane conducted a systematic review on parent training programs for managing infantile colic. Seven studies with over 1100 participants met inclusion criteria. Limited evidence was found for the effectiveness of such programs, one meta-analysis showed some reduction in crying time. Causes
The cause of colic is generally unknown.