Adrenal Fatigue
& Stress
Your adrenal glands are two tiny pyramid-shaped pieces of
tissue situated right above each kidney. Their job is to produce
and release, when appropriate, certain regulatory hormones
and chemical messengers.
Adrenaline is manufactured
in the interior of the adrenal gland, called the adrenal medulla.
Cortisol, the other chemical from the adrenal gland, is made
in the exterior portion of the gland, called the adrenal cortex.
The cortex also secretes androgens, estrogens, and progestins.
Cortisol, commonly called hydrocortisone, is the most abundant
- and one of the most important - of many adrenal cortex hormones.
Cortisol helps you handle longer-term stress situations.
In addition to helping you
handle stress, these two primary adrenal hormones, adrenaline
and cortisol, along with others similarly produced, help control
body fluid balance, blood pressure, blood sugar, and other
central metabolic functions.
In the heightened nervous
state of adrenal burnout, the body overproduces adrenaline,
cortisol and other stress hormones. Constant stress and poor
nutrition can weaken the adrenal glands. Eventually, this
causes the adrenal glands, the front line in the stress reaction,
to show wear and tear and become depleted. This frequently
leads to impairment in the thyroid gland, which can cause
a further decline in energy level and mood and is one of the
reasons why many people have thyroid glands that dont work
well.
When stress continues over
prolonged periods of time, the adrenal glands can deplete
the body's hormonal and energy reserves, and the glands may
either shrink in size or hypertrophy (enlarge). The overproduction
of adrenal hormones caused by prolonged stress can weaken
the immune system and inhibit the production of white blood
cells that protect the body against foreign invaders (in particular
lymphocytes and lymph node function).
Adrenal dysfunction can disrupt
the body's blood sugar metabolism, causing weakness, fatigue,
and a feeling of being run down. It can also interfere with
normal sleep rhythms and produce a wakeful, unrelaxing sleep
state, making a person feel worn out even after a full night's
sleep.
Common Causes of Adrenal Stress
Anger
Fear / Worry /Anxiety
Depression
Guilt
Overwork/ physical or mental
strain
Excessive exercise
Sleep deprivation
Light-cycle disruption
Going to sleep late
Surgery
Trauma/injury
Chronic inflammation
Chronic infection
Chronic pain
Temperature extremes
Toxic exposure
Malabsorption
Maldigestion
Chronic illness
Chronic-severe allergies
Hypogycemia
Nutritional deficiencies
Testing for Adrenal Health
In order to determine the
health of your adrenal glands you need to have a simple blood,
urine, or saliva test performed by your practitioner. Cortisol
levels can be checked by blood or throughout the day by a
saliva test. DHEA, and Epinephrine, are some other indicators
of adrenal function.
Associated Symptoms and Consequences
of Impaired Adrenal Functioning
Low body temperature
Weakness
Unexplained hair loss
Nervousness
Difficulty building muscle
Irritability
Mental depression
Difficulty gaining weight
Apprehension
Hypoglycemia
Inability to concentrate
Excessive hunger
Tendency towards inflammation
Moments of confusion
Indigestion
Poor memory
Feelings of frustration
Alternating diarrhea and
constipation
Osteoporosis
Auto-immune diseases/hepatitis
Lightheadedness
Palpitations [heart fluttering]
Dizziness that occurs upon
standing
Poor resistance to infections
Low blood pressure
Insomnia
Food and/or inhalant allergies
PMS
Craving for sweets
Dry and thin skin
Headaches
Scanty perspiration
Alcohol intolerance
Adrenal Fatigue & Stress
- Treatment
Lifestyle changes such as:
Eating steadily, all day long.
Skipping meals is one of the worst things you can do for your
body. When you're hungry, your blood sugar drops, stressing
your adrenal glands and triggering your sympathetic nervous
system. That causes light-headedness, cravings, anxiety and
fatigue. Another drawback to skipping meals: The resulting
low blood sugar can affect your ability to think clearly and
shorten your attention span.
Skipping breakfast is particularly
bad, as it is a sure fire way to gain, not lose, weight. If
you start each morning with a good breakfast and "graze" healthfully
every two to four hours, your blood sugar will remain steady
throughout the day. You'll feel more rested and energetic.
Eat protein with every meal.
Eat Complex carbohydrates such as brown rice. Avoid sugar,
junk food, white pasta, white rice, white bread.
Absolutely NO Caffeine. Coffee/Sodas
over stimulates your adrenals and they deplete important B
vitamins.
Coffee does not give you energy;
coffee gives you the illusion of energy. Coffee actually drains
the body of energy and makes you more tired, because of vitamin
and adrenal depletion.
Exercise to relax. Walking,
Yoga, deep breathing, meditation, or stretching. No vigorous
or aerobic exercise, which depletes the adrenals.
Avoid alcohol, processed foods,
and tobacco. Nicotine in tobacco initially raises cortisol
levels, but chronic use results in low DHEA, testosterone,
and progesterone levels.
Reduce stress; learn relaxation
techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, progressive
muscle relaxation.
Adrenal Fatigue & Stress
- Helpful Supplements
The use of small amounts of
natural adrenal hormone (hydrocortisone) to bring slightly
low adrenal function up to its proper normal daily range is
often helpful.
Take a daily multivitamin
to provide nutritional support to the adrenal gland.
Vitamin C 1,000-3,000 mg a
day
L-Theanine 100-400 mg a day
Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin
B5) 300 mg a day
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra),
no more than 1000 mg of glycyrrhizin
Authors Details:
Adrenal Fatigue & Stress - Valerie Balandra ARNP,
BC Web
Site |
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