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Recovering From Adrenal Fatigue

The adrenal gland sits on top of the kidneys. It is about the size of a walnut. The adrenal gland is responsible for making hormones. Hormones have some control over chemical reactions that take place in the body. They also have power of the way we feel. When we are not living healthily or are chronically stressed, it affects the hormones produced by the adrenal gland. If the hormone production becomes disturbed through unhealthy living or from an abnormally-functioning adrenal gland, it can lead to a condition called adrenal fatigue.

  1. Symptoms

    • Sufferers of adrenal fatigue often feel extremely drained and weak. They have a hard time sleeping so the body does not have adequate healing time. Other symptoms of adrenal fatigue include low libido, anxiety, depression, changes on eating habits, forgetfulness and irritability. Patients can develop or are prone to irritable bowel syndrome, allergies, arthritis and influenza. The immune system is weakened, making it more difficult to recover from illness. Sufferers of adrenal fatigue don't have all of these symptoms or the symptoms can be caused by something else. To recover from adrenal fatigue there are two important things you must do. First, adopt a healthy lifestyle. Second, combat the stressors in your life.

    Recover through a Healthy Lifestyle

    • To adopt a healthy lifestyle you must have a nutritious diet, get adequate sleep and exercise. Cut excess sugar and processed food from the diet. You can still have dessert or junk food, but make it a treat for once or twice a week instead of five times a day. Half of every meal should be a huge serving of vegetables. Consume about eight cups of water each day. Get at least seven or eight hours of sleep each night. Perform some form of cardio exercise four times each week. This can include brisk walking, swimming, biking or cardio classes. Add weight training to your schedule two or three times every week.

    Recover through Stress Management

    • Adrenal fatigue is often caused by or exacerbated by chronic stress. Sometimes a person who has a hormonal imbalance will develop chronic stress. To break the cycle, incorporate ways to manage stress into your day-to-day life. Methods of stress relief include yoga, exercise, meditation, massage and psychological therapy. Work on social relationships--healthy friendships reduce stress. Consider welcoming a pet into your home as a loyal companion can reduce stress levels. If you have been living a healthy lifestyle and implementing stress management techniques into your life and still suffer from adrenal fatigue, talk to your doctor. The symptoms may be the sign of a different condition.

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