ADRENAL FATIGUE
Adrenal Fatigue
What are the symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue?
Fatigue
Low/High blood pressure
Sensitivity to light
Insomnia
Digestive problems
Emotional Imbalances Lack of Motivation
Decreased sexual interest
Decrease immunity
Lack of Stamina Emotional Paralysis
Unresponsive Hypothryroidism
Feelings of being overwhelmed
Where are my adrenal glands?
The human body has two adrenal glands and one sits on top of each kidney.
What do my adrenal glands do?
The adrenal glands are small, triangular-shaped glands that produce hormones which act as ‘chemical messengers’. These hormones travel in the bloodstream and act on various body tissues to enable them to function correctly.
What hormones do my adrenal glands produce?
The adrenal glands produce four main hormones:
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Cortisol - This hormone is involved in helping the body respond to stress adequately. It also helps to regulate the body’s metabolism.
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DHEA - is the precusor for the androgens (eg, testosterone). These are Involved in building and healing many essential coponents of the body.
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Catecholamines - These are 'stress' hormones (such as adrenaline or noradrenaline) and are released during times of stress to help the body combat extra pressures (the so called ‘fight or flight’ response).
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Aldosterone - This hormone helps to maintain the body’s salt and water levels which, in turn, regulates blood pressure.
What could go wrong with my adrenal glands?
In rare cases the adrenal glands can become either overactive or underactive. The two main disorders resulting from these are Cushing's syndrome and Addison's disease, respectively. Overactive adrenal glands may produce toomuch cortisol which can cause a condition known as Cushing’s syndrome. This results in a number of symptoms such as thinning and bruising of the skin, obesity, diabetes, moodiness or depression and high blood pressure. Underactive adrenal glands may not produce enough hormones which in SEVERE cases can cause a disease known as Addison’s disease. Most patients have a subclinical finding that means tests can APPEAR "normal" however the adrenal gland is not functioning properly. This is why a person that specialized in functional medicine to look at proper function of organs and not just diseased states is recommended. This underactivity may make the individual feel unusually tired and depressed, with muscle aches and pains and a poor appetite. They may also have a stomach upset and cold feet and/or hands.
