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Adrenal fatigue

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Adrenal


COMMON CAUSES OF ADRENAL FATIGUE

Chronic stress is very common in western society. The most common causes of stress are work pressure, death of a loved one, moving house, changing jobs, illness and marital disruptions. Adrenal fatigue occurs when the amount of stress over extends the capacity of the body to compensate and recover from stress.

Stressors that can lead to adrenal fatigue include:

Anger
Chronic fatigue
Chronic illness
Chronic infection
Chronic pain
Depression
Fear and guilt
Gluten intolerance
Low blood sugar
Malabsorption
Maldigestion
Exposure to toxic chemicals
Severe or chronic stress
Surgery
Late hours
Sleep deprivation
Excessive exercise
Excessive sugar in the diet
Excessive caffeine intake from coffee, tea and cola

One of the most commonly overlooked causes of adrenal fatigue is chronic or severe infection that gives rise to an inflammatory response. Such infection can occur sub-clinically with no obvious signs at all. Parasitic and bacterial infections including Giardia and Helicobacter pylori are often the main culprits.

  Signs and Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue

  • Tendency to gain weight and the inability to lose it, especially around the waist.

  • Succumbing to colds, influenza and other respiratory diseases often.

  • Trembling when under pressure.

  • Lowered libido (sex drive).

  • Feeling "lightheaded" when rising from a laying down position.

  • Forgetfulness.

  • Lack of energy in the mornings and also in the afternoon between 3 to 5 pm.

  • Feel better suddenly for a brief period after a meal.

  • Often feeling tired between 9 - 10 pm, but resist going to bed.

  • Need coffee or stimulants to get going in the morning.

  • Crave for salty, fatty, and high protein food such as meat and cheese.

  • Increased symptoms of PMS for women; periods are heavy and then stop, or almost stopped on the 4th day, only to start again on the 5th or 6th day.

  • Pain in the upper back or neck with no apparent reason.

  • Feel better when on vacation.

  • Difficulties in getting up in the morning.

  • Lightheadedness.


Other signs and symptoms include:

  • Mild depression

  • Food and or inhalant allergies

  • Lethargy and lack of energy

  • Increased effort to perform daily tasks

  • Decreased ability to handle stress

  • Dry and thinning skin

  • Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

  • Low body temperature

  • Nervousness

  • Palpitations

  • Unexplained hair loss

  • Alternating constipation and diarrhoea

  • Dyspepsia (digestion problems)

If you have many of these signs and symptoms, it is time you consider adrenal fatigue as a possible cause once you have ruled out other problems.

The ability to handle stress, physical or emotional, is critical to human survival. Our body has a complete set of stress modulation systems in place, and the control centre is the adrenal glands. When this gland becomes dysfunctional, our body's ability to handle stress is reduced, and symptoms will arise.

 

TIPS FOR A HEALTHY ADRENAL GLANDS

  • Sleep by 10 pm
  • Sleep in until 9 am when possible
  • Do the things that you like
  • Avoid excessive consumption of coffee or other caffeine containing beverages
  • Eat early in the evening
  • Have a glass of water in the morning with half a teaspoon of salt
  • Avoid excessive quantities of grains and bread
  • Avoid excessive consumption of starchy foods such as potato
  • Avoid trans-fat such as present in french fries and many other fried and processed foods
  • Laugh several times a day
  • Take vitamin C, pantothenic acid, magnesium, and vitamin E
  • Take Pregnenolone and DHEA as needed
  • Avoid situations that get you over-tired such as excessive exercise or work hours
  • Avoid the overconsumption of refined carbohydrates
  • Never skip breakfast - or any meal for that matter