Information About Adrenal Exhaustion

The adrenal glands sit over the kidneys, secreting hormones that allow people to adjust to life's demands. In adrenal exhaustion, the glands are said to become overtaxed and no longer produce hormones (most notably, cortisol) appropriately.

Controversial Diagnosis

• There is disagreement about whether there truly is such a thing as adrenal exhaustion. The mainstream medical community is less likely than alternative medicine practitioners to recognize the condition.

Different Names

• Adrenal exhaustion is sometimes called adrenal fatigue syndrome, subclinical hypoadrenia, hypoadrenia (non-Addison's) and adrenal apathy, among other names.

Cause

• Adrenal exhaustion is said to be caused by a period of intense or prolonged stress, from which adrenal gland function does not rebound. The stress could be physical, for instance, smoking.

Symptoms

• Symptoms include fatigue, listlessness, mental fog, salt cravings and energy fluctuations throughout the day that usually causes a patient's best work to be at night or early in the morning.

Diagnosis

• There is no one test to determine if a person has adrenal exhaustion. Instead, several tests, including thyroid tests and testing cortisol levels, provide a physician with a portrait that may lead to diagnosis.

Treatment

• Moderate exercise, rest breaks, a diet of less carbohydrates and more protein, eliminating sugars and junk food, eating whole grains and laughing all help. Hormones and supplements taken under doctor supervision might be advised.