Adrenal exhaustion : Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

The adrenal glands are triangular-shaped endocrine glands located above the kidneys.These glands regulate the body's stress response through the synthesis of corticosteroids and catecholamines, including adrenaline and cortisol. The adrenal glands are not working efficiently can trigger health condition known as adrenal fatigue (adrenal fatigue).

Since dysfunction of the adrenal glands, cortisol levels in the body will decrease. Cortisol is needed to cope with stress and fight infection. Adrenal exhaustion has several other names such as non-Addison hypoadrenia, hypoadrenalism, sub-clinical hypoadrenia, and neurasthenia. The adrenal glands are not functioning properly can disrupt blood sugar metabolism resulting in fatigue and weakness.

 

Cause

Stress is the most common cause of adrenal exhaustion. Excessive stress, among others due to work pressure, physical activity, change of employment, death of a loved one, marital problems, and physical illness. Some other factors that contribute to adrenal stress is fear, anger, guilt, depression, anxiety, excessive exercise, physical or mental stress, lack of sleep, trauma / injury, surgery, exposure to toxins, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, poor digestion , malabsorption, chronic illness, low blood sugar, and malnutrition.
stages

In the first stage, there was a higher secretion of adrenaline than normal in response to the stress levels were also higher. Stimulated adrenal cortex to produce cortisol and other related hormones in excess. The second stage is known as adaptation or resistance when the stress continues. Hormones produced in excess continues to increase blood sugar and blood pressure. At this stage of corticosteroids continue to be produced by the adrenal cortex to combat stress. The third stage is known as exhaustion. During this stage, the body's ability to cope with stress eventually reduced. The hormone adrenaline down from too high to very low. At this stage of adrenal exhaustion occurs that triggers decreased stress tolerance, accompanied by physical and mental exhaustion.

Symptom

Adrenal exhaustion often develops after periods of physical stress or emotional strength. Some common signs and symptoms of adrenal exhaustion are:

1.      Sleep is not refreshing
2.      excessive fatigue
3.      The desire to eat salty and sweet foods
4.      Not being able to cope with stress
5.      Low stamina, slow to recover from physical activity
6.      Low levels of immune
7.      Feel most energetic in the evening
8.      Difficulty in concentration
9.      poor digestion
10.      premenstrual syndrome
11.      Extreme sensitivity to cold
12.      Low blood pressure
13.      Weight gain
14.      Tremble when under pressure
15.      The high frequency of respiratory diseases such as influenza and other
16.      Lack of sex drive
17.      Pain in the upper back or neck with no apparent reason

 Treatment

Treatment for adrenal exhaustion include implementing proper diet and lifestyle changes. Diet should contain the amount of protein and complex carbohydrates are sufficient. Avoid junk food, coffee, or soda. Avoid processed foods, tobacco, and alcohol. If it is necessary to do some exercises such as yoga or meditation. Nutritional supplements are also important to accelerate recovery.

The use of extracts of adrenal cortisol, vitamin B complex, cortisol replacement, cordyceps, DHEA, L-Theanine, licorice, pantothenic acid, and pregnenolone may be useful for treating adrenal exhaustion (adrenal fatigue).