adrenal Stress

adrenal stress and lethargy

Adrenal Stress

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Adrenal stress refers to excess stimulation of the adrenal glands and the over-production of cortisol. Adrenal stress also emphasizes that with prolonged stimulation of the adrenal glands via chronic stress that cortisol levels will eventually falter leading to deficiencies. Deficiency in cortisol production indicates adrenal exhaustion, and if severe adrenal insufficiency. Adrenal insufficiency is a traditional medicine term used to imply severe adrenal problems such as Addison’s disease. For many people adrenal stress is normal part of life as the adrenal respond appropriately to acute stressors to help maintain cortisol production which helps maintain normal cellular function. However, chronic stress has a number of long-term consequences.

The Long-Term Consequences of Adrenal Stress Leading to Adrenal Fatigue

Chronic adrenal stress often leads to what is called adrenal fatigue. Adrenal fatigue culminates in a set of nonspecific symptoms such as mental and physical fatigue, lethargy, and poor immunity. These symptoms can be due to many other conditions as well, but often the adrenal stress that leads to adrenal fatigue is quite common in our modern society. The long-term consequence of adrenal stress leading to adrenal fatigue is poor overall health that negatively impacts every organ system in the body including the heart, digestive, brain and immune system.

Adrenal Stress Leading to Adrenal Fatigue or Insufficiency and Lab Testing

Adrenal stress can initially cause excess or high cortisol which can be measured via blood or saliva testing. This elevated excess cortisol of adrenal stress is an adaptation response of the adrenal glands and their attempt to maintain harmony and balance of the endocrine system and cellular function throughout the body. Initially, adrenal stress may not be apparent to a health care practitioner, but once laboratory testing is implemented the values of cortisol represent a problem. If the adrenal stress becomes chronic overtime than eventually adrenal fatigue manifests with low cortisol values. It still requires a clinical history and examination along with laboratory investigations to determine the extent of adrenal stress and fatigue. One of the best tests for this analysis is a 24 hour salivary representation of cortisol. This test is best done through four saliva samples done at different times of the day. Normal cortisol levels are highest in the morning and then taper off throughout the day. Deviations from this indicated adrenal stress.

Adrenal Stress Summary

In summary, there are a number of lab tests that can be done for anyone dealing with adrenal stress, but the most important is a Salivary Adrenal Hormone Profile. Certainly blood testing for liver, kidney, thyroid, blood sugar and other metabolic factors can be checked as well, but for most people determining the level of cortisol through a Salivary Adrenal Hormone Profile like the #201 or #205 from BioHealth Laboratory is important with regards to adrenal stress.

 

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adrenal fatigue sex

Adrenal Fatigue

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Adrenal fatigue is a common term used today to describe a host of symptoms that relate to physical and mental tiredness, aka. fatigue. Overall, adrenal fatigue is referenced as a ‘catch all’ term for anyone not experiencing full vitality with respects to how they feel. The list of signs and symptoms related to adrenal fatigue are extensive, but here is a short list:

• Chronic allergies
• Blood sugar imbalances
• Chronically “sick”
• Depression, anxious
• Dizziness upon standing
• Dry and thin skin
• Excessive hunger
• Hair loss
• Chronic inflammation, i.e. joints, skin
• Low blood pressure
• Low body temperature
• Low sex drive
• Mood swings
• Poor concentration and memory
• Chronic shoulder pain
• Sleep problems
• Thyroid problems

What Causes Adrenal Fatigue?

Although, not everyone on this list can be specifically attributed to adrenal fatigue, the vast majority of those signs and symptoms are commonly observed in people who eventually are diagnosed with adrenal fatigue, as well as have their adrenal fatigue (and corresponding issues) resolved. Adrenal fatigue, is also called adrenal exhaustion, and normally comes about from months or years of chronic stress. The stress hormone from the brain called ACTH signals to the adrenal glands to output cortisol and DHEA, and overtime these hormone signals begin to diminish which negatively impacts the bodies ability to maintain energy. Also, with adrenal fatigue other hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid are impacted as well. Imbalances in these hormones leads to their own negative consequences.

Adrenal Fatigue & Mental Health

Adrenal fatigue is often linked to mental health challenges. Anxiety and depression are commonly seen in individuals with adrenal fatigue as cortisol and DHEA not only have a positive function on physical health, but mental and emotional health as well. Adrenal fatigue is a leading cause of chronic fatigue too, and anyone dealing with these issues listed above should absolutely undergo adrenal hormone testing to evaluate the status of cortisol and DHEA production.

Adrenal Fatigue Testing

One of the most effective ways of testing for adrenal hormone output is through salivary adrenal hormone production. This is preferable over blood testing in many cases as the saliva can be collected at various times throughout the day and is more representative of total daily output versus a one time blood draw for cortisol which is normally the practice in traditional medicine. In doing the salivary testing the overall values of cortisol, as well as its relationship to DHEA can be measured to determine the extent of adrenal fatigue. This can then be followed with specific nutritional supplementation, and medication (if needed), to help resolve the adrenal fatigue problem.

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