Safe Use of Cortef for Adrenal Fatigue

Adrenal fatigue is caused by an insufficiency of certain hormones. It may be caused or exacerbated by stress, which contributes to a slowdown of the production of these vital hormones. Often, patients feel continually tired, sluggish and achy when they have adrenal fatigue. Cortef, a synthetic hormone, is one possible treatment. Cortef may be effective, but must be used safely.

Use of Cortef

• Adrenal fatigue is a complex condition that is characterized by the inability of the body to produce many or all of the nearly 50 hormones that the adrenal glands produce. Cortisol is one of these many hormones. Supplementing one of many deficient hormones can only go so far in helping to resolve the condition.

  Cortef is a brand name for the corticosteroid hydrocortisone, which in the name for the synthetic version of the hormone cortisol that the human body produces naturally. Cortef is a multi-visceral drug that can be put to a number of uses ranging from skin conditions, allergic disorders, lupus, arthritis, ulcerative colitis, breathing disorders and psoriasis. Hydrocortisone works by blocking the release of substances that cause any kind of inflammation in the body.

Safe Use

• Many aspects need to be taken into account when considering the safe use of cortisol for adrenal fatigue. Adrenal fatigue causes severe and extreme exhaustion, lack of interest in many day-to-day activities and general inertia and languor. When these are combined with the side effects that cortisol causes, such as headaches, nausea, an increase in appetite and skin problems such as thin and shiny skin or acne, the result can be chaotic for the patient. If your doctor feels that cortisol is a wise course of treatment, there are therapies that neutralize many of the side effects of the drug. Some of these include the use of an electrolyte drink to replenish energy levels which may be depleted both by the fatigue and the side effects of Cortef. Since cortisol can also lead to depletion of potassium, zinc, vitamins A, B6, C and D and calcium, supplements have to be administered in required doses to make up for this loss. It is also important and necessary to visit the doctor at the suggested frequency to help monitor the quantity of these supplements and the effects of the cortef. Thus, the golden rule is to never, ever self-medicate with this drug when treating adrenal fatigue.

Avoiding Cortef

• Patients with herpes simplex infection in the eye, internal fungal infection and tuberculosis must not take Cortef. Those with an allergy to the drug, and those with a history of psychotic upset should also avoid Cortef.