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Tired or Wired? Adrenal fatigue?

Feeling tired?  Just not enough energy to get through the daily demands?  Have you experienced chronic stress – this does not need to be a major trauma, but can be a long-term exposure to any form of stress – physical, mental, emotional; always on the go!  If so, perhaps your adrenal glands are also tired.

While a comprehensive assessment is required to identify the underlying cause of any such symptoms, here is a brief explanation of how your adrenal glands may be involved:


Adrenal tonics, also known as adrenal restoratives, nourish and support the adrenal glands as the name suggests. They particularly support the healthy functioning of the adrenal cortex, the outer part of the gland, that produces and secretes hormones known as adrenal steroids or corticosteroids. These are classified as mineralocorticoids (principally aldosterone), which help control body fluid and electrolyte levels, and glucocorticoids (mainly cortisol), which are involved in many essential life processes including the body’s stress response, emotional stability and immune function. The pattern of hormonal secretion is affected by daily cycles as well as physiologic or psychological stress. Adrenal cortical hormones affect virtually every body system. When these hormone levels are out of kilter they can cause many problems.

Genuine adrenal insufficiency is an uncommon disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands do not make enough of certain hormones and it can be life-threatening. On the other hand adrenal fatigue, or adrenal depletion, is a term used to describe an alleged condition caused by chronic exposure to stressful situations. According to this theory chronic stress could potentially lead to “overuse” of the adrenal glands, eventually leading to their functional failure resulting in numerous nonspecific symptoms such as:

  • burnout,
  • brain fog,
  • lack of motivation,
  • fatigue,
  • joint pain, and
  • weight gain.

Although medical science does not recognise the condition adrenal fatigue, a person’s symptoms and complaints should be taken seriously to exclude other potential disorders such as anaemia, irritable bowel syndrome, depression or anxiety, diabetes, other systemic illness, poor diet, stress at work or home or overtraining.

Regardless of what it is called there are many people suffering from similar symptoms and while their adrenals are not actually failing some of their problems are reversible. Stress has an impact on health so stressed individuals will benefit if their adrenal glands are supported, irrespective of whether cortisol is high or low.

The following diagram depicts the phases of stress – from ongoing stimulus to fatigue/burn out which can lead to a healing crisis or severe illness, followed by another slump which can be supported back into balance by changing lifestyle habits.

 

Make an appointment for a thorough individualised assessment of your health – call us at

True Medicine today on 07 – 55301863.