Adrenal Fatigue alert

 People whose adrenals are fatigued often have to use coffee, colas and other stimulants to get going in the morning and to prop themselves up during the day

? You feel tired for no reason.

? You have trouble getting up in the morning, even when you go to bed at a reasonable hour.

? You are feeling rundown or overwhelmed.

? You have difficulty bouncing back from stress or illness.

? You crave salty and sweet snacks.

? You feel more awake, alert and energetic after 6PM than you do all day

1. What is it?

Adrenal fatigue is produced when your adrenal glands cannot adequately meet the demands of stress.* The adrenal glands mobilize your body’s responses to every kind of stress (whether it’s physical, emotional or psychological) through hormones that regulate energy production and storage, immune function, heart rate, muscle tone, and other processes that enable you to cope with the stress. Whether you have an emotional crisis such as the death of a loved one, a physical crisis such as major surgery, or any type of severe repeated or constant stress in your life, your adrenals have to respond to the stress and maintain homeostasis. If their response is inadequate, you are likely to experience some degree of adrenal fatigue.*

 

activity of the adrenal glands is so diminished that you may have difficulty getting out of bed for more than a few hours a day.* With each increment of reduction in adrenal function, every organ and system in your body is more profoundly affected.* Changes may occur in your carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism, blood sugar balance, energy production, fluid and electrolyte balance, cardiovascular function, sleep patterns, mood, menstrual and menopausal symptoms, and even sex drive.*

1. How is it caused?

Adrenal fatigue is a collection of signs and symptoms, known as a “syndrome,” that results when the adrenal glands function, but not at their optimal level*. Most commonly associated with intense or prolonged stress, it can also arise during or after acute or chronic infections, especially respiratory infections such as influenza, bronchitis or pneumonia.* As the name suggests, its paramount symptom is fatigue that is not relieved by sleep.* However, it is not a disease or as readily identifiable as diabetes or a growth on the end of your finger. You may look and act relatively normal while experiencing adrenal fatigue and may not have any obvious signs of physical illness, yet you live with a general sense of unwellness, tiredness or “gray” feelings.* People whose adrenals are fatigued often have to use coffee, colas and other stimulants to get going in the morning and to prop themselves up during the day.*

1. What are the common treatments?

Lifestyle modifications can be initiated to treat this condition. Simple changes such as more laughter (increases the parasympathetic supply to the adrenals), small breaks to lie down, increased relaxation, regular meals, exercise (avoiding any highly competitive events), early bedtimes and sleeping until at least 9 AM whenever possible can all benefit those experiencing adrenal fatigue.

1. What can I do right now to help myself feel better?

While managing their adrenal fatigue, most people feel better after drinking a glass of salty water, especially in the morning. Sometimes the laxative Magnesium Citrate is recommended. However, the management of AF is recovering.

You could also try to strengthen your body and make it easier to relax through exercise or various massage therapy.

 

Related posts:

1. Adrenal Fatigue alert