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o Tired?
o Depressed?
o Weak?
o Cranky?
It could be adrenal fatigue.
What is adrenal fatigue?
Adrenal Fatigue is a health disorder that can affect anyone who experiences persistent or severe mental, emotional or physical stress. Every challenge to the body or mind creates a demand on the adrenal glands.
The inevitable demands we feel, juggling family complexities, job challenges, money worries, dieting, lack of sleep, poor diet and more cause the adrenal glands to produce cortisol.
If there is a constant demand for cortisol production it may eventually tire the adrenal glands causing adrenal fatigue. When the adrenals are tired it not only effects the production of cortisol but also their ability to produce and balance other hormones, like DHEA, progesterone, testosterone and estrogen.
Who does it affect?
It is estimated that adrenal fatigue affects 80% of people living in industrialized countries at one time or another in their lives.
What are the affects?
The affects of adrenal dysfunction can be profound: fatigue, moodiness, weakness, skin problems, muscle and bone loss, depression, hormonal imbalance and autoimmune disorders as well as many other symptoms (see below).
What to do about it.
Here is the good news. With moderate adrenal fatigue these steps can produce marked improvement.
o Get tested: a simple saliva test can tell you if the symptoms you exhibit are from tired adrenals.
o Reduce Stress: you had to know this was coming. It isn’t just a matter of changing your activities (although that could be a very important step) but changing your thoughts about your activities as well. If you are unhappy or distressed about your life it will add stress. If you are at peace with the situations in your life it will not add stress to what may already be challenging situations.
o Improve diet: Stop sugar, coffee and alcohol. Use natural sweeteners like Stevia or Xylitol. Eat fresh foods, not processed or fast foods. Eat at regular intervals to keep your blood sugar steady and add supplements high in anti-oxidants like fish oil.
o Exercise: Move your body, walk, swim, cycle, do yoga. Be out in nature and while you are at it smell a rose or two.
o Mediate: give yourself the gift of a peaceful mind.
o More rest: your body needs time to regenerate and heal, so give it at least 8 hours. Take a nap if you can’t sleep 8 hours at night.
With adrenal exhaustion further steps and a trip to your practitioner may be necessary.
Additional symptoms:
Also consider these symptoms may be pointing to adrenal fatigue. If this sounds like you take the steps above and or see your practitioner.
o Excessive fatigue
o Fatigue
o Irritability
o Weight gain
o Nervousness
o Depression
o Inability to concentrate
o Apprehensions
o Excessive weakness
o Lightheadedness
o Faintness
o Insomnia
o Hypotension
o Fibromyalgia
o Hypothyroidism
o Chronic fatigue syndrome
o Arthritis
o Premature menopause
