The hormone cortisol at a normal healthy level is good for the body. When we're under too much stress the 'fight or flight response' releases too much cortisol, which then becomes problematic. Of course there are other explanations for inflammation as well. If a person has too much estrogen, testosterone, thyroid hormone - it would cause problems. Why is it unreasonable to believe, that too much cortisol would be a problem. Here's another link:

http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/cortisol.htm
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{"Actually cortisol is an anti-inflammatory. Cortisone injections into chronically inflammed and painful joints is a treatment for some things, and hydrocortisone cream on ezcema or skin irritations help relieve that."}

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BTW I'm not talking about 'cortisone injections' or 'cortisone creams' and these shouldn't be confused with excessive cortisol or normal levels of cortisol. I had cortisone injections and know the benefit of such an injection.