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Do you feel tired even after eight hours of sleep? Do you feel like you are struggling to do everyday tasks? Having trouble getting up in the morning? Need coffee, colas, energy drinks, sodas, salty or sweet snacks to keep going? Feeling run down and stressed?

If you answered yes to the above questions there is a big chance you might be suffering from stress-related adrenal fatigue. The more scientific term for this condition is “HPA (Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal) Axis Dysfunction”. But some natural practitioner still use the term adrenal fatigue as it is more commonly recognized by patients.

Although 80% of people experience adrenal gland exhaustion or adrenal fatigue, and physical symptoms of stress at some point in their lives, adrenal gland exhaustion or fatigue is a condition that is rarely discussed by medical doctors, unless patients have a serious form of adrenal dysfunction called Addison’s disease.

In his book, Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome, Dr. James L. Wilson, DC, ND, PhD coined the term ‘adrenal fatigue’ to identify below optimal adrenal function resulting from stress and distinguish it from Addison’s disease.

What are the functions of the adrenal glands?

The adrenal glands are among the most important organs in the body. You have two adrenal glands on top of each kidney. The adrenal glands produce so many essential hormones and are responsible for many of the functions we need to stay alive and healthy, including energy production.

In response to stress triggers, the adrenals secrete hormones as cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline that permit your body to respond to stress. These hormones help us adapt over the long term to the stresses of life.

The adrenals are also responsible for producing aldosterone, estrogen, testosterone and many other hormones. These hormones help regulate metabolic, excretory, reproductive, mineral balancing and immune defense functions.

Stress and adrenal function often also play a role in many health conditions such as frequent infections, chemical sensitivities, allergies, autoimmune diseases like fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis, menopause and PMS, thyroid function imbalances, chronic fatigue syndrome, low libido, chronic anxiety, and mild depression. All of these problems and more may be aggravated by the effects stress can have on your adrenal glands.

What are the causes of stress-related adrenal fatigue?

Adrenal gland exhaustion or adrenal fatigue is now very common because of constant stress, lack of relaxation, smoking, sleep deprivation, poor eating habits and excessive caffeine intake, as well as allergies.

Stress-related adrenal exhaustion or adrenal fatigue is one of the major consequences of constant stress. If you always feel tense or anxious, your body will remain in a state of heightened arousal. Constantly overproducing cortisol and adrenaline day after day because of ongoing stress will eventually lead to adrenal fatigue or burn out.

The problem with stressors is that they are cumulative, and add up in the body over time until your adrenal glands just can’t take anymore. A “nervous breakdown” is actually adrenal gland exhaustion or adrenal fatigue.

In a state of constant stress your adrenal gland simply can’t keep up with the constant stimulation and outrageous demands for adrenalin and cortisol production, so they simply shut down leading to a rapid drop in cortisol and adrenaline levels, resulting in a full blown picture of adrenal gland exhaustion or adrenal fatigue.

What are the symptoms of stress-related Adrenal Fatigue?

  • Morning fatigue — You don’t really seem to “wake up” until 10 a.m., even if you’ve been awake since 7 a.m.
  • Afternoon “low” (feelings of sleepiness or clouded thinking) from 2 to 4 p.m.
  • Burst of energy at 6 p.m. You finally feel better from your afternoon lull.
  • Sleepiness at 9 to 10 p.m. You may resist going to sleep.
  • Cravings for foods high in salt and fat
  • Increased PMS or menopausal symptoms
  • Mild depression
  • Lack of energy
  • Decreased ability to handle stress
  • Muscular weakness
  • Increased allergies
  • Lightheadedness when getting up from a sitting or lying down position
  • Decreased libido
  • Frequent sighing
  • Inability to handle foods high in potassium or carbohydrates unless they’re combined with fats and protein

If you have 5 or more of the above symptoms, you might be experiencing stress-related adrenal gland exhaustion or adrenal fatigue. This is a serious condition that can lead to bigger problems and deterioration in your heath, if left untreated. It is wise to address your symptoms as soon as you can by seeking help of a qualified holistic nutritionist.

5 Oakville Nutritionist-Proven Tips for Stress-Related Adrenal Fatigue

Although many people realize that stress is a problem in their lives, few understand the actual physical ways stress acts on the body and mind through the adrenal glands or more importantly, what to do about it.

1-Sleep and Rest

Make sure to get adequate rest and sleep. Go to bed at 10:30 pm maximum and stay in bed as long as you can the next morning. Sleep in a completely dark room to help stimulate the release of the sleep hormone melatonin.

2-Exercise

Light exercise as yoga, stretching and walking is essential to improve the circulation to the adrenal glands. When you exercise, do not push through to your exhaustion level and stop when you are tired

3-De-stress 

Practice deep breathing, meditation, prayer or visualization daily to help you reduce your stress levels and relax. Read more about this in my previous blog post: Reduce stress using the mind body connection.

4-Avoid caffeine

Coffee and caffeinated beverages can over stress your adrenal glands and worsen your symptoms. Go for herbal teas as peppermint and chamomile instead.

5-Balanced diet

Supporting  your body with nourishing nutrients from whole foods and supplements can help to compensate for the effects of stress on your body. Eat your meals and snacks in time and make sure that you balance your carbohydrates with protein and fiber.

As an Oakville nutritionist, I find that stress-related adrenal fatigue can be effectively helped with a customized holistic nutrition plan for hormonal balance and adrenal support.

We offer tele-health coaching via Zoom, so we can help you if you are out of area. If you need help with your health and nutrition, sign up for a 15 Min Discovery Call where we discuss your current goals and concerns and how we can help you.

If you find this information useful, please feel free to share with your family or friends.

References

Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome,Dr. James L.Wilson, DC, ND, PhD

A Smart Woman’s guide to Weight Loss, Lorna Vanderhaeghe, MS

Maha Nasr

Maha Nasr, MD(Egy.), PhD, R.H.N, founder and owner of Healthy U Turn, is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Transformational Life Coach with 25+ years of expertise in the healthcare field. Maha helps women 40+ reclaim their health, regain their shape and rediscover themselves, so they can pursue their goals with greater energy, confidence and peace of mind. She offers personalized wellness plans to help women overcome stubborn weight, balance hormones, improve digestion, discover their authentic selves and let go of old patterns that keep them stuck. Her approach integrates a range of holistic tools for nourishing the body, mind & soul. Her toolbox includes natural nutrition, mind-body techniques, energy medicine practices and transformational life coaching.

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