Just what is Adrenal Fatigue?
* Weary or exhausted at times when you really shouldn’t be?
* Get weary especially when faced with stress?
* Having trouble getting up in the morning?
* Need coffee, tea or sugary treats to keep going during the day?
If your response was, “yes, I got that!” to any of the above, you could be feeling the effects of Adrenal Fatigue which has been called the twenty-first century physical ailment. Adrenal fatigue can happen in any individual who has very painful physical strain or hard to endure conditions in their life including such things as too physical a job, difficulties handling debts, relationship problems and so on. People diagnosed with other ailments may find it is a contributing factor. Millions of people show some indicators of adrenal fatigue, but up till now, the conventional method of medicine still does not recognize it as a physical problem.
This condition has been known also as Hypoadrenia (reduced functioning of the adrenal glands), Non Addison’s disease (extremely low adrenal activity), neurasthenia (psychological disorder characterized by chronic fatigue), adrenal fatigue, and adrenal apathy. Adrenal fatigue can wreck havoc in your life. Adrenal fatigue is produced when the adrenal gland cannot meet the demands of stress being faced by the individual. In more severe cases the adrenal is working so way below its optimum that a person is tired through out the day and can hardly function for more than a few hours a day. The adrenal function is so compromised that it affects all the systems in the body including fluid and electrolyte balance (mineral to water balance), carbohydrate , protein and fat metabolism (conversion of food to energy), heart and even libido. Whether you have an emotional crisis or physical stress like surgery, if the adrenal cannot provide the hormone production in enough quantities, you will experience some fatigue.
Who are the people that are susceptible to adrenal fatigue?
Nearly everyone, at some time in their life, will experience adrenal fatigue. It can be brought on by a sickness, emergencies in life or demanding problems, all of which can even deplete the adrenal resources of a person that has no physical problems. There are certain factors that can make you prone to adrenal fatigue. Some items that can be causes of adrenal fatigue can include a persons choice of a way of life such as cigarettes, taking drugs, not getting enough rest, a job with too much stress, not eating well or recurrent body problems including infections, allergies and so on.
How widespread is adrenal fatigue?
The US, as a country, suffered one of the worst stress inducers, the attack of 9-11. Since this time over 80% of North Americans have suffered from adrenal fatigue in some way. The severity and length varies from a short term temporary condition to it lasting for a long period of time and becoming quite incapacitating.
How can you discern if you are suffering from Adrenal fatigue? Here’s some clues to look for:
* If you feel tired for no reason most of the time.
* Find it difficult to awaken even though you got plenty of sleep.
* Feeling rundown with no energy or completely swamped.
* Not able to bounce back easily from a sickness or physical/mental pressures
* Experience strong cravings for sweet or salty snacks?
* Feeling best only in the evening?
Other physical problems that are influenced by adrenal fatigue
* Hypoglycemia which means that the blood sugar level is too low
* Physical distress including muscles, tissues and joints
* Diabetes
* Infections that take a long time to heal or that recur often
* Food, plant and animal allergic reactions
* Rheumatoid Arthritis
* Irregularities occurring with sleep
* Problems with Menopause
* Female hormone imbalance
Adrenal Fatigue can be a serious and, if untreated, can potentially be a life threatening condition. It can be easily diagnosed and many times is handled with proper nutrition and sometimes hormone correction or supplements.
