Adrenal fatigue affects millions of people, all of whom have comparable symptoms such as unexplainable weight gain or weight loss but lack a formal diagnosis. You may have adrenal fatigue if you continuously crave sugary and salty foods and experience tiredness despite getting enough sleep.

James Wilson, an alternative medicine expert, naturopath, and chiropractor, first identified the condition in 1998. It was used to define a disorder characterized by symptoms of adrenal glands working below their normal capacity. He explained that this was caused by long-term stress and that illnesses such as pneumonia, bronchitis, or flu would follow since the immune system had been weakened.

Welcome to our investigation of adrenal fatigue, what the common symptoms are, and what treatment you can follow to help get you back on the road to optimal health and wellness, naturally!

Adrenal Glands

The adrenal glands are tiny organs that sit on top of each kidney. They are critical organs as they aid essential physiological functions by manufacturing numerous hormones, which are required for the following:

• React to stressors

• Distribute protein and fat throughout the body

• Assist in heart functions

• Regulate inflammation

• Control blood sugar levels

Adrenal Function

The adrenal function is to produce hormones such as noradrenaline and adrenaline. These hormones prepare you for the “fight or flight” stress response. This implies that when you experience stress, your brain receives information via these hormones that prepare your body to respond appropriately.

Cortisol

Cortisol is the major hormone produced by the adrenal glands and impacts various parts of your body, primarily regulating your body’s response to stress. These hormones are delivered into the bloodstream in brief spurts.  When you are stressed, your cortisol levels rise. The proper cortisol balance is critical for your health, and creating too much or too little cortisol can lead to health issues.

Adrenal Insufficiency

Adrenal insufficiency occurs when the adrenal glands fail to produce enough hormones due to adrenal dysfunction. The cortex, or outer layer, of the adrenal gland, is injured, resulting in adrenal insufficiency. This insufficiency is categorized into three types: primary, secondary, and tertiary, and tertiary and can affect various aspects of endocrine function and hormone regulation in the body. 

This insufficiency can be seen in many symptoms, such as:

Symptoms:

• Irritability

• Stomach pain

• Nausea

• Skin discoloration(hyperpigmentation)

• Tiredness or fatigue

• Low blood sugar levels

• Diarrhea

• Loss of body hair

• Vomiting

• Weight loss due to loss of appetite

• Lightheadedness

• Low blood pressure

• Depression

• Muscle and joint pain

Blood Test Diagnosis

To determine whether or not you have adrenal insufficiency, blood tests are necessary. The tests will show whether the body has low levels of cortisol and other adrenal hormones. A second blood test may be required; in this case, you are first injected with a synthetic substance, and then your cortisol level is checked 30 minutes later. MRIs and CT scans are occasionally performed as well.

Primary Adrenal Insufficiency or Addison’s Disease

Addison’s disease arises when the adrenal glands fail to produce adequate amounts of the cortisol hormone. This sickness is rare, affecting approximately 1 in 100,000 people in the United States. However,  it is a serious condition.

Causes of Addison’s Disease:

• Side effects of certain health conditions

• Radiation

• Certain medications

• Surgery

Secondary and Tertiary Adrenal Insufficiency

This is considerably more prevalent and occurs when there is a problem with the pituitary gland, a small organ located near the brain. Severe adrenal insufficiency occurs when the pituitary gland fails to deliver messages to the adrenal glands to produce cortisol.

Causes of secondary or tertiary adrenal insufficiency:

• Traumatic brain injury

• Autoimmune disease

• Surgical removal of pituitary gland

• Infection or tumors in the pituitary gland

• Genetic diseases

What Is Adrenal Fatigue?

Adrenal fatigue is frequently regarded as a mild form of Addison’s disease. However, it is not an accepted medical diagnosis. When you are exposed to stressful conditions for an extended period of time, your body is unable to cope with the constant state of “fight or flight” that chronic stress causes.

When we are under a lot of stress, the adrenal glands produce cortisol and adrenaline to assist us cope. This raises your heart rate and blood pressure and overstimulates your immune system.

Short-term reactivity is acceptable, but when you are under stress for an extended period of time, these glands are always functioning, and your body is in overdrive. This causes the adrenal glands to become exhausted and stop generating enough hormones. Adrenal fatigue can also cause heart arrhythmias therefore, chronic adrenal fatigue/insufficiency, which is not addressed properly, could lead to major heart conditions later on.

Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue

You mainly feel extreme tiredness but could also experience:

• Weight gain

• Lack of motivation

• Have trouble falling asleep

• Sugar cravings

• Brain fog

• Trouble waking up

• Salt cravings

  

Causes of Adrenal Fatigue

Overuse of the adrenal glands causes them to produce less hormones. This may be caused by:

• Physical stress

• Mental stress

• Emotional stress

It is always advised to consult with a healthcare professional if you experience chronic fatigue to ensure that the weariness is caused by adrenal fatigue rather than another ailment, such as hypothyroidism (low thyroid levels) or an iron shortage.

Modern life is frequently the culprit, with inconsistent sleep patterns, poor food choices, and a sedentary lifestyle. All of this has a negative impact on healthy adrenal function since it forces the glands to constantly produce stress hormones until they can’t anymore.

How to Detect Adrenal Fatigue

It is challenging to make a clear diagnosis because hormone levels may appear normal in tests. Saliva tests are frequently done to identify adrenal fatigue. However, they are often inconclusive, necessitating additional research.

After a thorough evaluation, if all other testing for other health issues is negative, you can be more certain you have adrenal fatigue.

Underlying concerns include:

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

• Anemia

• Liver disease

• Heart issues

• Kidney disease

• Lung problems

• Diabetes

• Infections

• Autoimmune diseases

How to Treat Adrenal Fatigue

Avoid Stimulants 

The use of stimulants have a negative impact on our mental and physical health, causing our stress hormones to go into overdrive. The stimulants contained within them are contributing factors to adrenal fatigue. Cutting them out altogether will not only alleviate symptoms but may also improve our general health.

Eat Healthy

Avoid processed, sugary, fried, and fatty foods, as these exacerbate symptoms. These also contain preservatives and substances that have a harmful effect on your hormones. Chips, french fries, sweets, and even sodas will do you more harm.

A plant-based diet can help to treat adrenal fatigue and detoxify your body. A well-balanced diet rich in fruits, slow-burning carbohydrates, healthy fats, seeds, and nuts can help relieve symptoms.

Magnesium-Rich Foods 

Magnesium relaxes muscles, aids in sleep, regulates cardiac rhythms, and maintains blood sugar levels. These minerals are in leafy greens, avocados, and legumes. Not only do they alleviate adrenal fatigue symptoms, but they can also aid in balancing hormone levels.

Colorful Vegetables

Try to incorporate orange, green, and purple vegetables, in particular, which are high in minerals, antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, all of which support adrenal health.

Protein

Include a variety of protein-rich items in your diet because deficiency might create further weariness. Beans, non-GMO soy, and lentils help to reduce symptoms of adrenal fatigue while also increasing muscle mass.

Regular Exercise 

Exercise promotes proper bodily function and overall wellness. Although high-intensity exercise is often recommended when under stress, this will increase your body’s stress. Low to moderate physical activity is preferable. Walking, stretching, and swimming are all low-intensity workouts that will help relieve symptoms.

Get Enough Sleep

Aim for at least seven hours of good quality sleep to give your body and mind the rest they need. Create a sleep plan, keep your room cold and dark, and avoid using electronics for at least an hour before bedtime. All of these methods can help you sleep better and reduce stress.

Manage Stress

Techniques for managing stress such as breathing techniques or mindfulness, are vital to navigating through daily stressors. By learning how to deal with these, we can cope and have a better quality of life. 

Breathing Techniques 

You can reduce tension by taking deep breaths and focusing on them. This not only governs body activities but also helps you stay present and in the moment.

Nature

Take regular walks around nature to enjoy the fresh air, views, and sounds. Nature has a relaxing influence on both physical and mental states.

Eat Regularly

Do not disregard hunger cues or skip meals, as this will cause your blood sugar to drop and your body to produce more cortisol. Eating helps you maintain your energy levels and combat fatigue symptoms.

Natural Supplements

If your diet does not provide enough trace minerals and vitamins, you may need to take supplements. These not only regulate hormones, but they can help alleviate adrenal fatigue symptoms over time. The following herbs may assist adrenal fatigue:

Lavender: Either used as an essential oil or the plant parts as a tea infusion.

Ashwagandha: Studies have shown that there is a significant reduction in cortisol levels and associated stress and anxiety symptoms in those who took Ashwagandha on a regular basis.

Rhodiola: Studies have shown rhodiola can lower cortisol levels and increase energy levels.

Licorice root: Due to its high content of triterpenoid saponins, which play a role in cortisol balance, licorice root is a popular herbal remedy to support adrenal fatigue.

Holy Basil: Helps to rebalance Cortisol in addition to helping support healthy inflammation levels that can play a role in hormone imbalance and adrenal fatigue.

Rooibos: From the African red bush, rooibos is most often found in tea form. Studies have shown it to have a balancing effect on cortisol levels.

Ginkgo Biloba: Studies have shown its ability to lower cortisol levels, showing it can mitigate the rise of both blood pressure and cortisol during times of stress. 

Eleuthero: Known by its other name, Sibering ginseng, eleuthero is a root that can help increase your resistance to stress, boost energy levels, and support a healthy cortisol rhythm.

Maca: Also referred to as Peruvian ginseng, maca is considered an adaptogen for its ability to reduce stress and balance hormones – including cortisol. One study even found that maca was able to relieve symptoms like stress in postmenopausal women by rebalancing estrogen and cortisol levels.

Well of Life CalmAffex

The Well of Life Calmaffex supplement can assist in mitigating the effects of stress. It has some of the recommended stress-relieving herbs in its formulation, so you will receive the combined benefits of multiple essential stress-relieving herbs.

Keep Hydrated

Drinking plenty of fluids every day, particularly water will improve your general health. Fluids allow hormones and nutrients into your cells. You will also keep your body from being more stressed by avoiding dehydration.

Key Takeaways

In conclusion, the argument over adrenal fatigue as a real medical illness versus a more complicated set of symptoms associated with adrenal insufficiency keeps generating the interest and conversation of healthcare professionals and patients. While mainstream medicine does not formally recognize adrenal exhaustion as a separate illness, it emphasizes the necessity of treating stress management, sleep quality, and other lifestyle variables that can affect adrenal function.

Conventional medicine may not yet have the means for a proper diagnosis, but the symptoms are difficult to ignore.  Whether referred to as adrenal fatigue or adrenal insufficiency, symptoms such as exhaustion, poor energy, and mood swings should encourage people to seek medical attention and treatment. This method ensures a thorough understanding of underlying health conditions, improving general well-being and quality of life. The key to controlling excess overload on these essential adrenal glands is to reduce stress wherever possible. In our fast-paced modern society that can be difficult, therefore supporting your body with the essential herbs and lifestyle practices to control the effects of stress on the body is vital. Here’s to living with less stress and more smiles!