Adrenal Fatigue

The adrenal glands, located in the abdomen above the kidneys, regulate stress in the human body. When the body encounters an emergency situation, the adrenal glands release hormones, such as adrenaline, that enable the body to respond accordingly. You may have encountered this reaction, called the "fight or flight" response, if you have encountered danger, fear or shock. Adrenal fatigue is the controversial idea that the adrenal glands can become worn out, creating illness, if continually over stimulated.

Features

• Proponents of the "adrenal fatigue" theory hold that the adrenal glands may be over worked in some individuals and therefore become "fatigued" and unable to produce sufficient hormones. This may lead to low hormone levels that clinical testing is not sensitive enough to identify. These symptoms include extreme fatigue that is not relieved by sleep, cravings for salty or sweet foods, increased energy after 6PM and depression.

Identification

• Adrenal fatigue is considered "subclinical," that is, not detected by blood tests to measure adrenal function. This is a syndrome, say advocates, that is not currently recognized by traditional medicine. As a consequence, there are no accepted guidelines to diagnose adrenal fatigue. Identification of the syndrome is based on symptoms.

Considerations

• Adrenal insufficiency is an accepted clinical diagnosis that is made based on adrenal function tests. Adrenal fatigue is considered by some to be a milder form of adrenal insufficiency and is therefore thought to be ignored by many clinicians. Individuals with adrenal insufficiency suffer from low blood sugar, weight loss, dizziness, muscle aches and fatigue.

Prevention/Solution

• Individuals suspected to have adrenal fatigue are advised to make changes to their diet and lifestyle in order to combat the syndrome. A reduction in the intake of simple carbohydrates, elimination of alcohol in the diet and reduction of stress are all suggested to improve adrenal function. Most natural health practitioners also recommend a variety of herbs, supplements and/or vitamins to combat the illness, although few practitioners agree on the type or quantity of supplements that should be taken.

Expert Insight

• Research conducted on patients with primary fibromyalgia has found that those with fibromyalgia also have lower functioning adrenal glands a vast majority of the time. This research seems to indicate that individuals being treated by alternative practitioners for adrenal fatigue might actually have fibromyalgia, an illness that is often difficult to diagnose. Research into the link between adrenal function and diseases such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome is ongoing.