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Causes of Adrenal Fatigue

Adrenal fatigue is also called adrenal insufficiency, which is medically known as Addison's Disease. The symptoms of adrenal fatigue include digestive problems, muscle weakness and overall fatigue, and may be caused by certain types of mental health issues, hormonal disorders and diseases of the adrenal glands. Consider this information from the Mayo Clinic and the National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service about the causes of adrenal fatigue.

  1. Depression

    • Clinical depression may cause imbalances of hormones in your brain, especially serotonin, which can cause the adrenal gland to overreact to the imbalance and become fatigued.

    Stress

    • Chronic emotional or physical stress can cause your adrenal glands to become overworked from producing high amounts of cortisol, and lead to adrenal fatigue and insufficiency.

    Medications

    • Synthetic steroids (cortisone, prednisone) used to treat arthritis and pain may cause adrenal insufficiency if you stop taking the steroids without tapering down.

    Autoimmune Disorders

    • Autoimmune disorders such as lupus may cause your body to attack the adrenal gland, decreasing the amount of hormones your adrenal gland is able to produce.

    Pituitary Disorders

    • Tumors or inactivity of the pituitary gland in your brain can cause your adrenal gland to produce insufficient levels of hormones, resulting in adrenal fatigue.

    Adrenal Gland Tumor

    • Cancerous growths on or near your adrenal gland can slow their functioning, which may first cause symptoms of adrenal fatigue and may progress into a life-threatening condition.

    Tuberculosis

    • Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that can cause symptoms of adrenal fatigue, and may eventually destroy your adrenal glands.

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