Fatigue, body aches, weight changes, dizziness and hair loss are symptoms that are all common in indicating that a person may be suffering from a form of chronic stress commonly known as adrenal fatigue.
The human nervous system always occupies one of two stress-related states – parasympathetic and sympathetic. These are commonly referred to as the “rest-and-digest” state or the “fight-or-flight” state, respectively.
During moments of relaxation, the parasympathetic nervous system is activated. These include digestion, low blood pressure and heart rate, fertility and a feeling of peace and calm. During periods of stress, the sympathetic nervous system becomes dominant, increasing heart rate and blood pressure and slowing down bodily functions that are essential in overcoming the stressor. It is normal to face periods of stress throughout our lives, however, staying in the sympathetic state for too long or facing stress triggers too frequently can lead to health problems that often bring debilitating symptoms.
Life stress comes in many different forms. The stress response in the body may also be triggered by illness, exertion, nutritional inadequacies to name a few. The body of a healthy person is well equipped to handle natural stress. In a healthy stress response, the brain sends signals to a pair of glands located in the person’s abdomen, triggering the release of stress hormones. These enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body to create changes. Once the stress trigger is overcome, everything is then free to relax.
A new term was proposed as a new condition in 1998 by Dr. James L. Wilson called “adrenal fatigue.” His assumption was that an overstimulation of the adrenal glands by long-term stress could lead to an inconsistent level of cortisol in the bloodstream. Dr. Wilson describes the unique progression of adrenal fatigue throughout the day as follows: You wake up and are unable to function without a significant amount of caffeine; you finally feel a boost of energy during the early part of the day; your energy levels crash around 2 p.m., rise around 6 p.m. and fall again around 9 p.m.; your energy finally peaks again at 11 p.m.
When your adrenal glands stop producing hormones efficiently every bodily function is affected. Studies indicate that adrenal fatigue symptoms include: Autoimmune conditions, chronic fatigue, brain fog, hair loss, hormone imbalance, weakened stress response, insulin resistance, lightheadedness, decreased sex drive/libido, moodiness and irritability, depression, muscle or bone loss, skin aliments, sleep disturbances/sleep apnea, weight gain, sweet and salfty food cravings, and loss of appetite.
An episode of acute stress or prolonged, ongoing stress can cause adrenal glands to become overloaded and ineffective, then improperly release cortisol. Wellness doctors and practitioners believe that hypoadrenia can be caused by; Stressful experiences like death of a loved one, divorce or surgery; exposure to environmental toxins and pollution; prolonged stress due to financial hardship, bad relationships or work environment, and other conditions that entail feelings of helplessness; negative thinking and emotional trauma; lack of sleep; poor diet and lack of exercise; pain; food sensitivities; adverse events in childhood; surgery; reliance on stimulants like caffeine or energy drinks; rheumatoid arthritis; and diabetes/impaired glucose levels.
Stress can cause extreme fatigue. Stress inhibits your ability to wake up fully, no matter how much sleep you get. A study in 2005 found that students diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome had “alterations in adrenal function.” This suggested that their adrenal glands were no longer receiving a normal amount of stimulation.
Because adrenal fatigue symptoms are so non-specific and could be indicative of other diseases such as depression, sleep apnea, fibromyalgia and certain autoimmune diseases, it can be hard to make a medical diagnosis. In addition to conventional blood labs try the following: Adrenal fatigue labs, microbiome labs, and methylation labs.
Another key element of adrenal fatigue treatment is managing chronic stress. Pinpoint your key areas of stress and work to modify them, whether that means testing for food intolerances, detoxifying your environment or just letting yourself heal by clearing your schedule for a while.
Bringing down inflammation is also important. Curcumin, a compound in the turmeric root, has potent antioxidant properties, as well as a neuroprotective quality. It is also an effective option for depression.
Eat nutrient-dense proteins like oysters, organic turkey and grass-fed organ meats. Consume more green superfoods like leafy greens (swiss chard and spinach) and asparagus. Eating healthy fats every day is helpful as well like avocados, full-fat kefir, coconut oil and wild-caught fish.
Foods to avoid include: Caffeine, sugar and sweeteners (also avoid sugary foods, cereals, candy and sweets), carbohydrates, processed and microwaved foods, processed meats (particularly red meats like beef and steak) and hydrogenated oils (vegetable oils like soybean, canola and corn oil are highly inflammatory).
Other good practices include: Sip on herbal tea like chamomile or rooibos tea; practice mindfulness techniques; practice breathing exercises; and try natural medicines. Rehabbing the brain-adrenal connection takes time and what works for one person may not work for another.
Some general natural medicines that can help mitigate stress are: Adaptogenic herbs (ashwagandha, rhodiola rosea, holy basil and eleuthero ginseng); magnesium; methylation support (active forms of B12 and folate); and GABA support (herbs like passion flower and amino acids such as theanine, glycine and taurine).
Some additional helpful steps to follow include: Getting at least seven hours of sleep per night; get vitamin D levels into a healthy range; and learn to say no in order to manage stress in your life by creating space to refuel.
Figuring out how long it will take to recover is not easy to answer. Adrenal fatigue recovery has never been studied. For full adrenal recovery, you can expect it to take 6-9 months for minor adrenal fatigue, 12-18 months for moderate fatigue and up to 24 months for severe adrenal fatigue. If you aim for a balanced lifestyle with a healthy level of sleep, exercise, fun and a positive environment, then you are most likely to keep your adrenal system going strong.