Fatigue Fact and Fiction
Your adrenal glands are two triangular shaped glands attached above the kidneys. The gland is made up
of an outer adrenal cortex, which produces the steroid hormones cortisol, aldosterone, progesterone and DHEA. The inner part of the adrenal glands is called the medulla, which produces epinephrine and norepinephrine related to sympathetic function (such as the fight or flight response when in danger).
THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS OF ADRENAL GLAND FATIGUE IS LACK OF ENERGY AND THE INABILITY TO GET TO SLEEP OR STAY ASLEEP:
The lack of energy results from the adrenal glands running out of steam and results in a lack of essential hormone production. In fact, most people typically wake up in the the middle of the night at around 3 or 4 a.m. and find it difficult getting back to sleep. Some sufferers may even wake up in a full fledge panic attack with their heart racing. Although most people attribute it to mental stress and the mind racing, the adrenal glands are usually the problem!
THE ADRENAL GLANDS HELP TO BALANCE OUT YOUR BLOOD SUGAR:
Cortisol is the primary hormone secreted by the adrenal glands. Cortisol is responsible for increasing glucose in the blood. It does so by telling the liver to produce glucose when blood sugar drops too low. Cortisol also stops the peripheral tissues and cells from taking in glucose, which results in an anti-insulin effect. People suffering from diabetes need to have their adrenal glands tested!
THE ADRENAL GLANDS RELEASE HORMONES WHEN WE'RE UNDER STRESS, WHICH RESULTS IN ENERGY BEING RELEASED:
This is the "fight or flight" response. It results in a release of epinephrine which gives us energy to get away from a danger, in dealing with daily stressful situations, etc. Epinephrine is often responsible for awaking at 3 or 4am when it typically surges in the body when cortisol levels may be exhausted.
IF THE ADRENAL GLANDS ARE EXHAUSTED DUE TO CHRONIC STRESS, IT MAY INTENSIFY THE SYMPTOMS OF LOWERED SEX HORMONES:
Only a small amount of sex hormones are normally secreted by the adrenal glands so they have little effect on reproductive function. The adrenal glands do, however, help secrete the hormones as reserves in menopausal women, which correlate with the intensity of menopausal symptoms.
DO YOU HAVE ADRENAL FATIGUE?
When the adrenal glands are not functioning optimally, you can have a condition that is known as adrenal fatigue, or adrenal exhaustion. This usually happens due to chronic stress, whether physical, chemical or emotional over a period of time. Symptoms include:
- excessive fatigue and exhaustion
- non-refreshing sleep (you get sufficient hours of sleep, but wake fatigued)
- a feeling of not being restored after a full night's sleep or having sleep disturbances
- overwhelmed by or unable to cope with stressors
- feeling rundown or overwhelmed
- craving salty and sweet foods
- you feel most energetic in the evening
- low stamina, slow to recover from exercise
- slow to recover from injury, illness or stress
- difficulty concentrating, brain fog
- poor digestion
- low immune function
- food or environmental allergies
- premenstrual syndrome or difficulties that develop during menopause
- consistent low blood pressure
- extreme sensitivity to cold
Most doctors do not test for adrenal fatigue. If they look at the adrenals it is typically to identify progressed problems in the glands, such as Addison's disease. This is a potentially fatal condition where the adrenals essentially shut down. In our office we identify adrenal problems and determine what stage of adrenal exhaustion you are in. We do so using a comprehensive saliva panel. You are given a kit to use at home where you fill up tubes with your saliva at various times during the day. The first tube is filled when you awake and have not eaten. This is the time of day where cortisol is at its maximum level since it was utilized as "the night shift" for blood sugar regulation. The other saliva samples are taken at noon, 4pm and midnight. From this testing we can determine if your adrenals are functioning within their normal rhythm. Once we determine your adrenal problems and stage of exhaustion, we treat accordingly using all natural nutritional compounds and creams.
If you would like to have more information on our unique and innovative treatment protocol, or to set up a consultation to determine if you're a candidate, give us a call at 561-752-4646.