Fatigue & Adrenal Dysfunction
Stress and fatigue are so ubiquitous in our society that many consider these normal aspects of life. However, it is not normal to constantly feel tired and sluggish, and a common cause of this feeling is overworked adrenals due to chronic stress.
The adrenals are small pyramid-shaped glands that sit atop each kidney, and help mediate our stress response by releasing hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine (aka adrenaline). There is a normal cyclical pattern to cortisol release, with high amounts released in the morning, and slowly tapering off to the lowest levels before bedtime.
Factors that commonly disrupt cortisol release include psychological stress (i.e. work, relationships, finances, travel, etc), sleep disturbances (i.e. insomnia, shift work, jet lag), blood sugar imbalance (i.e. diabetes, hypoglycemia, poor diet), and chronic inflammation or infections.
Symptoms of adrenal dysfunction are varied and may include:
The adrenals are small pyramid-shaped glands that sit atop each kidney, and help mediate our stress response by releasing hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine (aka adrenaline). There is a normal cyclical pattern to cortisol release, with high amounts released in the morning, and slowly tapering off to the lowest levels before bedtime.
Factors that commonly disrupt cortisol release include psychological stress (i.e. work, relationships, finances, travel, etc), sleep disturbances (i.e. insomnia, shift work, jet lag), blood sugar imbalance (i.e. diabetes, hypoglycemia, poor diet), and chronic inflammation or infections.
Symptoms of adrenal dysfunction are varied and may include:
- chronic fatigue
- too tired to get out of bed in the morning
- blood sugar imbalance
- feeling easily overwhelmed/startled
- low immune function (constant colds/flus)
- feeling dizzy or lightheaded when standing too fast
- decreased endurance
- cravings for salty foods
Is Adrenal Fatigue a real condition?
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Although the term adrenal fatigue is often used to describe symptoms of fatigue related to chronic stress, it is not the most accurate medical term. A preferred term is "HPA Axis Dysfunction." The HPA or 'Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal' Axis is our stress response system - when we are exposed to a stressor, either physical or psychological, our brain sends messengers down to the adrenal glands to release our stress hormones, i.e. cortisol.
While our HPA axis is well equipped to handle short term stressors, we can have a harder time dealing with long-term chronic stress. Over time our normal cortisol rhythm can be thrown out of sync, and symptoms such as those described above to appear. |
Source: https://www.integrativepro.com/Resources/Integrative-Blog/2016/The-HPA-Axis
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Is there a test for adrenal function?
The best assessment for adrenal function is by measuring cortisol levels at multiple points throughout the day.
Cortisol can be measured via saliva or dried urine, and should be tested at least four points throughout the day (morning, lunch, dinner, bedtime) in order to accurately assess the cortisol curve.
Cortisol can be measured via saliva or dried urine, and should be tested at least four points throughout the day (morning, lunch, dinner, bedtime) in order to accurately assess the cortisol curve.
What is the treatment for HPA Axis Dysfunction?
After assessing your adrenal function based on your symptoms and cortisol testing, an individualized treatment plan will be developed.
This typically involves addressing factors that impair adrenal function (i.e. sleep disturbance, blood sugar imbalance, inflammation), developing a diet plan to ensure you are getting sufficient nutrients for proper adrenal function, working on strategies to cope with life stress, and using specific herbs known as adaptogens, which help your body adapt to stress.
Other treatments may be indicated, and are always tailored specifically to YOU.
This typically involves addressing factors that impair adrenal function (i.e. sleep disturbance, blood sugar imbalance, inflammation), developing a diet plan to ensure you are getting sufficient nutrients for proper adrenal function, working on strategies to cope with life stress, and using specific herbs known as adaptogens, which help your body adapt to stress.
Other treatments may be indicated, and are always tailored specifically to YOU.