How to Fight Chronic Fatigue & Adrenal Fatigue

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disorder in which you feel extreme fatigue that does not improve with rest. There is no known cause, but there are signs associated with the syndrome. Adrenal fatigue, also known as adrenal insufficiency or hypocortisolism, is a disorder where your adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol and aldosterone. Both disorders can be fought by knowing the symptoms and treatment options, and incorporating lifestyle changes.

Instructions

Fight Chronic Fatigue & Adrenal Fatigue

• 1

  Know the symptoms. If you suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome, your symptoms may come and go with frequency but without an identifiable pattern. You can experience eight official symptoms, such as fatigue, sore throat, unexplained muscle pain, and memory loss, or feel pain that moves from joint to joint without inflammation or redness and pain in the lymph nodes in your armpits or neck, which are enlarged. Headache, extreme exhaustion, which lasts more than 24 hours after mental or physical exercise, and unrefreshing sleep are other symptoms.

  With adrenal insufficiency, such as Addison's disease, symptoms appear over several months. You may experience darkening of your skin, weight loss with decreased appetite, muscle pain, irritability, and low blood pressure. Also, you may feel muscle weakness, faint, or joint pain. You may also crave salt. In an adrenal failure, you will also experience low blood pressure, severe vomiting, and diarrhea. In addition, you may feel pain in your legs, abdomen, or lower back. You may lose consciousness or have a high potassium level.

• 2

  Treat your fatigue. With adrenal insufficiency, you will have to replace the hormones that your body is not producing. Thus, your doctor may prescribe a daily dose of corticosteroids or fludrocortisones to replace aldosterone. Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome. However, your doctor can help you fight chronic fatigue syndrome via symptom relief. For instance, you may take anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and acetaminophen to treat your pain. If you have low blood pressure, you may be prescribed atenolol or fludrocortisone drugs to increase your blood pressure. Other medications, such as clonazepam, can relieve skin tenderness and dizziness.

• 3

  Change your lifestyle. Try to get sufficient sleep. Exercise regularly. You should start with slow exercises such as walking, biking, or water aerobics. Stretching and relaxation exercises can help fight symptoms. In addition, eat a balanced diet, limit caffeine intake, and drink plenty of fluids. Your doctor may recommend that you avoid excessive psychological and physical stress, and moderate daily activity to fight chronic fatigue syndrome. Or your doctor may suggest a combination of cognitive behavior therapy with gradual, steady exercise. This combination can help improve your symptoms.