What is Adrenal Fatigue?
Adrenal fatigue is a collection of signs and symptoms, which are a result of sub-optimal adrenal function. Basically, your adrenal glands get tired. The adrenal glands are small organs that sit directly on top of the kidneys.
Adrenal fatigue is caused by acute and/or chronic stress. This stress can be physical, emotional, psychological, or infectious. This stress results in adrenal over-stimulation. If your adrenal glands are under severe stress or prolonged stress, you will likely experience adrenal fatigue. This means that your adrenal gland loses the ability to adequately respond to further stress. It continues to function, but not at an adequate level.
When your adrenal glands get tired, you get tired. The predominate symptom is fatigue. This fatigue can be present for the entire day or wax/wane throughout the day. Other commonly expressed symptoms include:
- fatigue in the morning upon awakening
- feeling run down throughout the day
- difficulty in getting going in the morning
- inability to bounce back from stress
- salt/sweet cravings
- fatigue unrelieved by sleep
- increased effort to do every day tasks
- decreased libido
- decreased ability to handle stress
- increased time to recover from illness, injury, or trauma
- light-headed when standing up quickly
- mild depression
- increased PMS symptoms
- poor focus
- poor memory
- decreased tolerance
- decreased productivity
Most Americans will have some adrenal fatigue throughout their lives. Adrenal fatigue can be a mere nuisance and last from a few days to a few weeks. However, some bouts of adrenal fatigue can be severely debilitating and last for years. We test for adrenal fatigue with a four point saliva test throughout the day.
Your treatment will depend on the degree of adrenal fatigue. We’ll manage mild adrenal fatigue with adrenal rebuilder: an adrenal rich supplement. Adrenal rebuilder provides the building blocks necessary for improved adrenal health and function. Most treatments will last at least 3-6 months, with the more severe episodes of adrenal fatigue taking 6-12 months of treatment.
But don’t worry! With adequate time and treatment, nearly everyone can achieve a full recovery from adrenal fatigue. In fact, with cortisol replacement, most women will experience some improvement within 2 weeks. As your symptoms improve, it is important that you continue the treatment. Rebound adrenal fatigue is a common problem when people stop their treatment too soon.
Patients of Dr. Nathan Goodyear can start an adrenal evaluation by filling out the adrenal fatigue questionnaire. Then, call the nearest Seasons office and set up an appointment to discuss further treatment.
