Understanding and Combating Adrenal Fatigue
96It is estimated that about 80% of adults will be affected by Adrenal Fatigue at some point in life. Usually when someone with this condition goes to the doctor they are told that nothing is wrong. So they end up going from doctor to doctor trying to find out why the feel so sick and tired.
The adrenal gland sits above the kidney. Its job is to regulate stress with various hormones which include adrenaline or cortisol. When it is healthy, it can immedialely increase heart rate, blood pressure, release stored energy, slow digestion, and sharpen the senses.
Adrenal fatigue begins when the adrenal glands fail to produce enough hormones. The hormone cortisol is essential for good health. Too much can lead to severe health problems and not enough will cause adrenal fatigue. Receiving the right amount of cortisol helps the body cope with stress and fight infection. It affects every tissue, organ, and gland in the body. In this hub I will discuss the the symptoms and causes of adrenal fatigue and the best natural and alternative treatments.
Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue
If you have any of the following symptoms, you may have Adrenal Fatigue: fatigue, lethargy, lack of energy in the mornings, and the afternoon between 3 and 5 pm, feeling tired between 9 and 10 pm, but resisting going to bed, sleep difficulties, difficulty concentrating or remembering, lightheadedness, dizziness and fainting when rising from a sitting or laying-down position, craving salty or sugary foods, consistently feeling sick or struggling to recover from infections, lowered blood pressure and blood sugar, nausea, mysterious pain in the upper back or neck, increased PMS symptoms in women, mild depression, decreased sex drive, weight gain( especially around the waist), frequently getting the flu and other respiratory diseases with a tendency for them to last longer than usual.
Tests that will help you find out if you have adrenal fatigue:
Saliva testing- The best way to test your adrenal health is to measure your level of free key adrenal hormones such as cortisol and DHEA. Saliva testing is the best choice because it measures the amount of circulating and free hormones rather than binded hormones measured in blood tests.
Adrenal Function Test (AFT) - DHEA and cortisol are measured during four different times of the day to find out if there is a hormone inbalance. This test is recommended for people with excessive stress, allergies, chronic fatigue, and sleep problems which are indicators of immune dysfunction.
AM/PM Cortisol - Too much or too little cortisol can cause a hormone imbalance. If there is a noticeable level of stress or fatigue in the morning, this test may indicate problems with cortisol levels.
Causes of Adrenal Fatigue
Sugar - Instead: Use all natural stevia - it won't feed candida, raise your blood sugar or rob your body of minerals. Coffee - Instead: drink herbal teas. Too much animal protein - it takes a lot of stomach acid to digest animal protein properly, most people run out during digestion creating an acidic condition in their blood.- Instead: eat 80% vegetables and 20% protein. Processed foods- Instead: eat raw(preferably certified organic) fruits and vegetables. strip minerals from your body, causing acidic blood which leads to weakened adrenals Soft drinks are loaded with sugar. Instead: drink fruit and vegetable juices(preferably organic) Consuming fresh juices and vegetables from a juicing machine and drinking immediately will give you the maximum benefits. Stress - Physical stress from disease, illness, or infection or emotional stress makes the adrenal glands produce more cortisol. If the adrenal gland can no longer meet the need for cortisol increased infections, nausea, and changes in blood pressure and blood sugar can occur, resulting in adrenal fatigue. Strengthening the immune system will help lower the bodies need for cortisol and help it fight infections. You can combat fatigue by supplementing your diet with nutrients that provide your body with more energy to combat this condition. - over the counter and prescription drugs. They make blood very acidic.
Natural and Alternative Treatments for Adrenal Fatigue
Exercise - Regular exercise helps relieve stress, tension, and anxiety. If you have Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome, you may feel like you don't have the energy to exercise, but research has shown that even just 20 minutes, 3 to 4 times a week, can significantly help regain and maintain overall health as well as promote energy production. Just avoid competitive type exercise that can cause stress.
Magnesium - Most Americans don't get enough. Supplementing with Magnesium is important for those with adrenal fatigue syndrome because of it helps to: maintain proper blood pressure, maintain healthy blood sugar/glucose levels, support energy production – no magnesium, no energy, encourage calmness and lessen stress, relax muscles and ease athletic injury, omega-3 essential fatty acids - A healthy diet combines these fats(flax seed oil is by far the richest source) with protein, and carbohydrates(unrefined low-glycemic carbohydrates (brown rice, sprouted grains etc.) at every meal and snack for a steady source of energy throughout the day.
Multivitamin and mineral complex - high in B vitamins(100mg per capsule) to increase energy production, support a healthy hormonal system, promote a healthy nervous system, boost immune system function, maintain mental and emotional well-being, encourage calmness and lessen stress, increase mental alertness, maintain normal blood sugar levels.
Conclusion
Adrenal fatigue is commonly caused by emotional, physical, mental, or environmental stress that places too great a demand on the adrenals resulting in Adrenal fatigue. Proper nutrition and exercise can help to restore balance and energy.
- Understanding Magnesium Deficiency
A recent government study shows that 68% of Americans don't consume enough magnesium on a daily basis. Magnesium deficits are linked to allergies, asthma, attention deficit disorder, anxiety, heart disease, muscle cramps and other conditions.
- Recognizing and Managing Overlooked Sources of Stress
When stress becomes chronic it causes the body to continually produce stress hormones and eventually the adrenal glands become exhausted.
- The Truth about Flax Seed Oil
There are very few food sources on earth that are rich in Omega 3. As a result of the industrial revolution and the processing of food to allow national and global transportation, packaging and stability, Omega-3 no longer exists in most foods today.
PrintShare it! — Rate it: up down flag this hub
Comments
Thanks for the hub. I read that we should not just take calcium but must take magnesium equal to half the amount of calcium. Please comment.
Thanks for your comment einron. Yes, that is right. Calcium must be taken with magnesium to be effective. If you take 1000mg of Calcium per day then you need to take 500mg of Magnesium.
Great Hub Thanks for the Info. Another point to watch out for.
Keep up the info flow.
Wow, hope all my organs function properly. Hate hearing stories about when someone takes a turn for the worst because something decided to burn out. The human body is tough to fix compared to other things.
Ginseng tea is also very good for increasing energy and enhancing brain performance. :)
Nice hub, Steve. Thumbs up!
Thanks for this info about adrenal glands. It is interesting how, obviously everything in our body is interconnected. If something is haywire someplace, it effects everything else - but western doctors only treat each part of a person by administering drugs to take care of the symptoms. If it affects another part, they just give you another drug to take care of those symptoms. I thought they were supposed to be smart.
Stevemark that was a great hub and I didnt know either about this condition. I know the benefits of magnesium and it has also helped me to keep my blood pressure down and has relieved my symptoms with aching muscles. I am also a big fan of Vitamin B and Evning Primrose oil to reduce stress levels. Thanks again for such an informative hub.
Thanks for the info. I have never heard of this before, yet I have been seeing doctors for the reasons you listed for many years. Getting back on my magnesium supplement today! My doc told me to take it, but that was when I was having PVCs (premature ventricular contractions). He should have told me "why" I needed it.
Can relate to all of this. Thanks for the info. Good to know the ins and outs of it all without getting to baffled with technical jargon, so well written.
Thanks. As someone who has adrenal fatigue, I can say that it is very delibitating at times. Thanks for the information
Susan
Thanks everyone for your helpful comments.
Great information! I am very interested in healthy living, diet and how to improve overall health. I am bookmarking your page for future reference.
Hi stevemark122000
After reading your hub on understanding and combatting adrenalin fatigue, I realized that I have all the symptoms. Among the things you pointed out as measures to consider are the need to exercise and refrain from too much sugar. I agree. You offered other measures but exercise and sugar caught me by the collar. I'll have to do something. Thanks for your very helpful hub.
A lot of thanks too for joing my fans club.
franciaonline
Thanks for your comment franciaonline, i am glad to hear this hub has been helpful to you.
Great info here! Where can I find "all natural stevia" and what exactly is it?
Thanks for your comment MasonsMom. Stevia is an herb native to subtropical and tropical South America. You can find it at your local health food store.
Reading your hub, I couldn't help but think that the symptoms and the foods/drinks listed are part of many people's everyday lives. I love coffee (I take it with Splenda) and have heard that it is full of antioxidants, but a lot of other info out there say it is bad for you. How do we know which is the truth? I think the only thing most people agree on is that consistent exercise is one of the healthiest things you can do. As far as "eating right", there are so many conflicting advice out there about different foods, drinks, and chemicals that you put into your system. How do we figure out which is the best diet plan for our body type, health condition, age, sex, etc.?
Thanks for your comment byee. I agree. Coffee has its health benefits. Even the caffeine would be healthy if its structure wasn't changed in the heating process. You can get caffeine in its natural form that is very healthy. You can read more about it in my article on Guarana Seed.
I believe the best way to know whether information about nutrtition is true or not is by looking at the research behind it. Has it been proven to be effective in clinical studies. Most of the stuff I read on the internet seems like a lot of hype with no facts to support it. So knowing the reputable sources of information is the first step to finding out the real facts.
Exercise is very important, but shouldn't be looked at as the only thing needed for optimum health. If you put the wrong type of fuel into a car it will overheat and seize up. The same thing is true with our bodies. They need the right nutrition to stay healthy or it is only a matter of time before it breaks down.
Thanks!
I have been reading about adrenal fatigue recently...and your article covered it very well...the doctors generally won't recognise this disease...so you have to watch out for it on your own. I hear nettles are good for adrenal fatigue.
I suffered 19 years of adrenaline fatigue. I accidently took dhea and he syptems got better in 3 hours. What a shame, i went through hell for the best years of my life. Its a shame mainstrean medicine ignores this living hell.
Thanks Steve for info on adrenals. Although I don't have those symptoms, when I get excited with my business teleseminars, I sleep lighter. One of my clients is also writing a book on Chi Gong and the Adrenals.
Will follow more of your great articles!
Judy Cullins, www. bookcoaching.com
hey good hub; this is me.Where do you get the saliva tests and the other tests? can I take them at home?
Thanks for your comment Stacie. Check out these links for more info. on tests.
http://www.adrenalfatigue.org/labs.php#SalivaHormo
You can order kits online.
Thanks for the information Steve. I was recently told by my D.O. that my symptoms were due to Adrenal Fatigue. All the Websites and produces seem overwhelming. Where do I start? I have been using Agave Syrup in place of sugar because of it's low glycemic index....comment please.
The reson I went to the doctor is because I have been sweating profusely and that when he discover low cortisol which has been effecting my other hormones......so I have most of the symptoms you describe.
I have had Fibromyalgia for 17 years and I am in Menopause..............60 yrs young!
I Need Help!
Thank you for your expertise....Valerie
Great thread you have started. I to have adrenal fatigue and being in the medical field I didn"t believe in adrenal fatigue and neither did the docs that I went to for my extreme fatigue. Fast forward three years and three surgies (I probably didn't need) i am on a protocol with a doctor that treats adrenal fatigue. Adrenal Fatigue is real and can impact you're quality of life. This disease takes patience and time to heal. Find a good doc that is also a good coach.
Scott
Nice hub steve. Thanks for sharing your info.
Another good one Steve. You sound like a nutritional professional (as opposed to the likes of me). I had to find out all those things you talked about by trial and error - mostly error. No doctor could treat my whole problem. I put up a website with some of the details. I'll be glad to share with anyoun who wants help. JO
Are you able to purchase stevia in stores, now? When I was trying to find it awhile back, I was only able to locate it online. I'd really like to try it.
And I'm wondering if you have to have all 3 of those tests, or if one would suffice.
You've written a great hub with tons of information!!
Thanks for your comment Proud Mom!
Yes, in the U.S. Stevia is now available in health stores.
Taking one of the test should be sufficient.
I am glad you put this up... my symptoms are as mentioned in your website. Thanks!
Great advice, thanks for the help. I had the same symptoms too!
Great advice, thanks for the help. I had the same symptoms too!
My chiropractor diagnosed me with adrenal fatigue last year and gave me DHEA to take but instead of giving me the energy it was supposed to I could hardly get out of bed the next morning. This happened every time I took it. She couldn't explain it. Any insight?
THS is a great hub, and a condition that physicians often ignore. I'm pretty knowledgable, and a pretty tough critic. I've learned a few things here, and I love the way the hub is laid out!
To firefly579. It's improbable that a single dose of dehydroepiandrosterone could elicit such a strong reaction (to the best of my knowledge- and I'm not a doctor). Tainted product (FDA doesn't watch out for us here)or a very slight chance of hepatoxicity.
Ya take too much???
Hi joecsko,
Thanks for the comment but as far as I know I didn't take too much. We changed the dosage a couple of times and then she gave me an herbal DHEA with the same effect...complete exhaustion. I asked 3 chiroprators and none could explain why.
Funny, I have suspected this for a while and did a bio-identical test 3 years ago. It also pointed to this, however, my doc did nothing. I would be a prime candidate. Within 1 year:
I lost my only child in a car accident
my son's best friends baby was born with cerebral palsy
I lost my job to budget cuts,
I had to have emergency gallbladder surgery
a young girl who was like a daughter to me died suddenly. All wthin a year.
Then I was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease that requires IV infusions every 2 weeks for the rest of my life. (Fabry disease) and then on top of it, Lyme disease after a bought of MRSA staph and then c diff as a result of the super anti-biotics for MRSA!!!!!!!!!! So, my life has been in an upheaval for some time. I guess it would stand to reason that my adrenal gland would be burned out. I am now re-doing the saliva test to see where I am at 3 years later than the first one. Hopefully, my doc will pay attention and do something this time.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This hub is very helpful to my daughter, Steve. Thanks. I also carry it on my new health journal/diary hub.
Great article as usual, very helpful.
Very good hub stevemark,clear and to the point,thanks for sharing.
Thanks,
Good information!
Very well written hub .....
very much informative ......
Thank you very much for your great hub, for good advice, good wishes and support. Thanks for sharing your experience with all of us.
Very good valid info - and too many of us out there are right in 'that spot'. Gotta work on it...Thanks!
I'm impressed with your knowledge on health issues! You definitely address important issues and offer great solutions! I just wish I was better at doing what is right for me!
smallbizpro says:
17 months ago
Great Hub Steve - I had never heard of this before, and the symptoms are so easy to ignore and blame on something else.
Thanks for sharing!