Adrenal Fatigue & Stress
The adrenals are small endocrine glands that are located above each kidney. They secrete a number of hormones, including adrenaline, nor-adrenaline, cortisol, DHEA, and aldosterone. The output of some of these hormones varies during the day and night, called a circadian rhythm. Levels are highest in the morning to stimulate the body and lowest in the evening to allow the body to relax. Other factors, such as food choice and the timing of meals, caffeine intake, sleep patterns, and pain levels, alter hormone production as well.
The primary goal of the adrenal glands is to manage stress. They also influence sleep and mental vitality, the ability of cells to produce energy, and the growth and repair of bone, skin, and muscle. Additionally, they regulate blood sugar and insulin levels, blood pressure, mineral balance, thyroid and sex hormone levels, and immune function.
As you can see, the adrenal glands affect many processes within the body. Ensuring that these glands get the support they need is vital for health maintenance and recovery from illness.
Adrenal Fatigue/Exhaustion
When stress is persistent, the “fight-or-flight” system stays on. Your adrenal glands continue to release adrenaline and cortisol at high amounts and you are left feeling nervous, irritable, and on edge. Your heart rate and blood pressure remain elevated, your digestion of food suffers, the immune system is weakened, and sleep patterns are negatively affected.
It’s not surprising that after long periods of chronic stress the adrenal glands get fatigued. Their ability to produce hormones suffers and your response to newly encountered stressors is less certain. You may feel unable to respond to a significant stress when necessary or you may experience a heightened response to minimal stress. Your body starts to feel worn down and the following disease states are created or exacerbated: heart disease, diabetes, obesity, depression, anxiety, insomnia, memory impairment, indigestion, fibromyalgia, thyroid imbalance, and menopause.
You may already recognize the signs of chronic stress and adrenal fatigue in yourself. If you have questions or concerns, Dr. Han has many diagnostic tools to confirm the presence of adrenal fatigue or assess its severity. A thorough physical exam including heart rate, seated and standing blood pressures, and pupil evaluation (the Hippus test) is helpful. Blood work run through conventional laboratories, such as hormone levels (thyroid, DHEA, etc.), electrolytes levels (sodium, potassium), and complete blood counts, can be useful. Specialty laboratories can also evaluate salivary cortisol levels throughout the day to measure your adrenal response.
Many treatment options are available for adrenal fatigue. Schedule a visit for a plan tailored for your recovery.