Adrenal insufficiency syndrome is more widespread than you might think. Your adrenal glands don\u2019t often get the attention they deserve and you\u2019ll know when yours aren\u2019t happy.<\/p>\n
These small layered glands reside on top of your kidneys. As a matter of fact, these little guys are critical for healthy kidney function and the production of hormones\u2014particularly stress and sex hormones (estrogen and testosterone). In fact, the word \u201cadrenal\u201d comes from the Latin for \u201cnear the kidney\u201d.<\/p>\n
The core of the adrenals (medulla) produces neurotransmitters that receive input from the brain and releases hormones so we react accordingly (1). Adrenaline and norepinephrine push the body to action (fight\/flight\/freeze), increasing heart rate and blood flow. On the other hand, dopamine is the pleasure hormone, regulating emotional responses and body movement.<\/p>\n
\nThe middle layer (cortex) is responsible for sex and steroid hormone production. In fact, steroid hormones regulate the sleep cycle and blood pressure and are involved in the metabolism of food into usable energy. The outer part of the adrenals (capsule) is composed of adipose (fat) tissue to protect the adrenal glands.<\/p>\n
Adrenal Fatigue
\nMore often than not, we hit the adrenal glands too hard and too often. \u201cFirst World\u201d lifestyles are, to a large extent, driven by emotional stress (school, work, finances, relationships) and our food, water, and air all contain harmful chemicals that apply physical stress on top of that.<\/p>\n
Left unattended, adrenal fatigue can lead to adrenal insufficiency.<\/p>\n
Signs of adrenal fatigue include (2):<\/p>\n
Multiple allergies
\nAnxiety
\nBlurry vision
\nBody aches or chronic muscle pain
\nBrain fog and memory loss \u2013 excess cortisol over time affects the hippocampus, where memories are stored
\nExtreme fatigue
\nCold hands and feet
\nDepression
\nDizziness
\nChronic dry skin and\/or brittle nails
\nHair loss
\nHeart palpitations
\nHypoglycemia
\nIrritability
\nLethargy
\nLow blood pressure
\nLow sex drive
\nMuscle weakness
\nSalt and\/or sugar cravings
\nPoor sleep\/mid-afternoon sleepiness
\nThyroid problems
\nTinnitus
\nUterine fibroids
\nUnexplained weight loss or gain
\nadrenal fatigue
\nThe Stages Of Adrenal Fatigue
\nThere are four identifiable stages of adrenal fatigue (3):<\/p>\n
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\nThis is a normal state of heightened reactivity. In response to a stressor, from something simple like taking an exam to something serious like an automobile accident, your adrenal glands will release cortisol and other hormones so you can deal with the immediate situation. Most Stage One activity subsides once the hazard has passed and normal cortisol levels return.<\/p>\n
Two \u2013 Alarm Continues<\/p>\n
The stressor doesn\u2019t quickly go away and your body must remain in an elevated state to meet the challenge. Stress-related hormones may increase while sex and sleep hormones drop. You might feel wired but tired. If this stage goes on long enough, adrenal fatigue can set in.<\/p>\n
Three \u2013 Resistance<\/p>\n
The endocrine system\u2014including the adrenals\u2014continues to produce excess stress hormones and fewer sex and sleep hormones. You can still function normally but you feel symptoms of exhaustion. Lethargy and an impaired immune response lend themselves to catching every bug that\u2019s going around. As a matter of fact, you may find yourself unable to get rid of a simple yeast infection. This phase can last months or even years.<\/p>\n
Four \u2013 Burn-out<\/p>\n
None of us is superhuman. If we don\u2019t take good care of ourselves, eventually even day-to-day living can become a chore and your systems begin to shut down. Stress hormone levels finally drop in stage four and low cortisol levels aren\u2019t enough to get you going. Anxiety, depression, weight loss or gain, irritability, and apathy can result. If you get to this stage, it will take conscious effort (and patience) to support your adrenals and restore balance. It\u2019s at this point that adrenal fatigue moves into adrenal insufficiency.<\/p>\n
Adrenal Insufficiency
\nAfter the crash, when the adrenal glands aren\u2019t producing proper levels of hormones, the condition is referred to as \u201cinsufficiency\u201d. Fatigue isn\u2019t the only cause of adrenal insufficiency; it can occur due to other lifestyle factors (e.g., diet or toxin exposure), disease, or autoimmune reactions.<\/p>\n
The primary causes of adrenal insufficiency are:<\/p>\n
Chronic emotional stress
\nAddison\u2019s disease
\nPoor diet \u2013 the vitamin B complex is essential for proper adrenal function, acting as catalysts for enzymatic processes throughout the body (4)
\nDisease \u2013 diabetes, asthma, inflammatory-related conditions, autoimmune disorders, and any chronic illness (and their treatments!) can put undue stress on adrenal glands
\nLack of sleep
\nToxicity caused by environmental pollutants
\nEmotional or physical trauma
\nAdrenal gland disorders \u2013 genetics, chronic infections, larger endocrine system imbalance, tumors, and some pharmaceuticals affect how our adrenals function
\nIf you feel your adrenal gland function is impaired, look through these simple ways to support them.<\/p>\n
16 Home Remedies to Heal Adrenal Fatigue
\nYou\u2019ll feel renewed and energized after trying these remedies for adrenal support.<\/p>\n
1. Improve Your Sleep Hygiene
\nSleep deprivation is a vicious cycle you need to break: you feel tired but push yourself to stay awake. Sleep patterns are disrupted, making you feel even more tired.<\/p>\n
A consistent, solid 7-8 hours of sleep every night will heal your entire body, including your adrenal glands. Turn off electronics at least an hour before retiring, take a hot bath before bed, read a book, drink a cup of calming tea to get better sleep.<\/p>\n
And it\u2019s important to do so: you perform best when you\u2019re well rested. Currently, studies of chronic fatigue indicate a definite connection between lack of a goodnight\u2019s sleep and daytime dysfunction. (5)<\/p>\n
Follow an Adrenal Diet
\nYour diet impacts every part of your body, adrenal glands included.<\/p>\n
2. Avoid Caffeine<\/p>\n
1-3 cups of coffee a day are okay for most people (even beneficial) but not after 3:00 p.m. when it can overload adrenal activity and interfere with sleep. Limit caffeine intake and switch to herbal tea or lemon water in the afternoon to purge toxins and improve energy.<\/p>\n
\u201cRepeated doses of caffeine over a single day result in markedly increased cortisol levels, regardless of the stressor involved or the sex of the individual\u2026a positive relationship clearly exists between caffeine intake and cortisol release, and this relationship is exacerbated when other stressors are introduced. Thus, supplementing a lack of sleep with multiple cups of coffee or energy drinks actually reinforces the negative effects of the stress response and further undermines performance. The benefits of caffeine intake must be balanced with its implications for cortisol secretion,\u201d writes ana article in the Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal Of Science.<\/p>\n\n