Adrenal Fatigue What is it and why does it matter in today’s society

“Hey Claudia, I think you are experiencing Adrenal Fatigue”, a dear friend and mentor of mine pointed out to me 11 years ago. “Now, what is it?” 

I was puzzled. “What is it?” 

Adrenal fatigue isn't an official medical diagnosis. It's a general term used to describe a group of symptoms that aren't specific. Examples of those symptoms include tiredness, weakness, sleep problems, and cravings for sugar and salt.

The adrenal glands are located on top of the kidneys. They produce a variety of important hormones. When the adrenal glands don't make enough hormones, the medical term for that condition is adrenal insufficiency. It may happen due to other medical conditions or be a result of surgery or other medical treatments. 

Symptoms of adrenal insufficiency include:

• Feeling very tired.

• Body aches.

• Loss of appetite and weight loss.

• Nausea and vomiting.

• Low blood pressure.

• Light headedness.

• Loss of body hair.

• A change in skin colour, also called hyperpigmentation.

• Craving salt.

• Depression.

Now, there is a lot of speculation. Existing blood tests aren’t sensitive enough to detect small drops in adrenal function but it is interesting that slight falls may trigger symptoms of adrenal fatigue. However, there is no evidence and so it is difficult to follow up with medical teams, and therefore it is even more important to be persistent and find a medical care team that considers it is possible to deal with the conditions. 

From my own experience in 2014, I have made great lifestyle changes and my health professionals ,my GP and Naturopath, have been very supportive in helping me to recover from Adrenal Fatigue which I believe I have suffered from, for at least 18 months of my precious life in my early 40's.

Some people claim that adrenal fatigue is a mild form of adrenal insufficiency caused by chronic stress. The idea is that the adrenal glands can't keep up with the demands of the ongoing fight-or-flight state in the body that chronic stress causes.

In my case, I experienced feeling chronic tiredness, loss of appetite and weight loss, nausea and light headedness, craving for sugar, salt and caffeine.

My GP acknowledged Adrenal Fatigue, but many medical health care professionals say it’s a myth. 

I found the best, simple answer  that I received from my holistic health team who deeply cared for my well-being was:

Adrenal fatigue is when there is prolonged chronic stress and this essentially fatigues your adrenals to the point that they are unable to respond effectively and hormone balance starts to become unbalanced.

“Sugar and salt cravings and feeling tired but wired”, was possibly my best description in  short form that I could tell people about. After my dear friend pointed out the potential cause of my lifestyle being so compromised I was  ready to follow a treatment plan from my GP and Naturopath. 

Gut health plays an important role in the treatment plan. Overseeing the thyroid function, iron levels, blood sugar levels and also looking for food intolerances, and certainly stress tolerance, are the key points that are more likely to be the root causes of this condition. 

NATURAL REMEDIES TO SUPPORT ADRENAL FATIGUE

If you’re noticing signs of adrenal fatigue, incorporating natural remedies can help restore adrenal function:

• Stress-management techniques:  Reducing stress is key to recovering from adrenal fatigue.

• Meditation: Making meditation part of your daily routine can calm stress.

• Eliminate nutritional stressors: Avoid caffeine, alcohol, sugar, and processed foods.

• Eat foods that support adrenal function: Focus your diet on foods that are nutritious, low in sugar, and high in fibre. 

For support in nutritional supplements, following the guidance of a Naturopath and/ or herbalist can be very beneficial. 

Recovering from adrenal fatigue takes time. Remember, it took months or even years to wear down your adrenal function, so it will take some time to heal. The best way to accelerate the healing process is to adopt healthy lifestyle changes that reduce stress and support adrenal function.

I list  these suggestions from my own experience and journey! 

Please  do not compare your symptoms and experiences with mine. Take the next step and seek advice from health professionals.