Adrenal fatigue is a term to describe a cluster of symptoms that accumulate over a long period of time due to physical, mental, and emotional stress. Someone who is experiencing adrenal fatigue will be suffering from physical and mental exhaustion, a depressed immune system, low libido, salt and sugar cravings, stimulant reliance, PMS, poor sleep quality and emotional problems.
The adrenals are two grape sized glands that sit atop the kidneys. This endocrine organ produces hormones that regulate energy production and storage, immune function, heart rate, muscle tone, and other processes that enable your body to cope with stress.
Aldosterone: Regulates the salt in the blood and tissues along with the kidneys.
Cortisol: Is known as the “fight or flight” hormone, as it controls the body’s response to stress of all kinds. It also has a major effect on metabolism, digestion, the immune system, sleep cycle, and proper balance of all other hormones.
Androgens: Male sex hormones that are responsible for growth and function of the sex organs and responsible for the male’s physical traits such as a deep voice, body composition, and body hair. Androgens are produced in females in smaller amounts as well, and are important in the regulation of testosterone and estrogen.
Estrogen: The female sex hormone that is responsible for the growth and function of the female reproductive system and is necessary for the development of physical traits such as breasts. This is also produced in smaller amounts in men.
When the body is in a constant state of stress and cortisol is high, the other hormones are suppressed, leading to the unpleasant symptoms. When this occurs for a long period of time, eventually the body will “burn out” and begin to lack cortisol.
For example, low cortisol will disrupt the sleep and wake cycle, resulting in fatigue. People who commonly experience these symptoms are shift workers, students, single parents, athletes, people with drug and alcohol abuse problems, and even those who rely heavily on stimulants such as coffee and energy drinks.
Although It is not a recognized medical condition in the allopathic world (Western Medicine), it is however a prevalent problem in this era within our fast-paced society.
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