Adrenal Fatigue Symptoms

Prime most adrenal fatigue symptom is the exhausted feeling a person gets that doesn't go away even after plenty of rest. Read on to know more about adrenal fatigue symptoms.
Adrenal Fatigue Symptoms
Adrenal glands, also known as supra renal glands are located above the kidneys. Adrenal glads are the important glands that controls the body's response to stress and fatigue. This process is complete with the functional synthesis of the main important glands like corticosteroids and catecholamines, including adrenaline and cortisol, which are very important body hormones. More on functions of adrenal glands.

Sometimes, due to several reasons, the adrenal glands fail to perform their regular functions and that leads to a medical condition that is also called as adrenal fatigue syndrome. Adrenal fatigue symptoms in men vary from insomnia to indigestion and they are also the most common, that affect more than 80% of the adult population of the world. More on adrenal fatigue: signs, symptoms and treatments.

Signs and Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue
Adrenal fatigue syndrome starts to show its signs when the adrenal glands lose their ability to produce the required amount of hormones needed for proper body functioning. Amongst all the synthesized hormones, cortisol is a steroidal hormone that manages stress levels of the body and adrenaline is the indoleamine neurotransmitter of the body. Adrenal insufficiency can cause some complicated medical conditions.

Causes of Adrenal Fatigue
Stress is said to be most important cause of adrenal fatigue. Along with stress there are a few things that are individually or collectively responsible for adrenal fatigue.
  • A mix of emotions like anger, depression, guilt, anxiety and fear
  • Insomnia and lack of sleep
  • Excessive consumption of energy drinks and coffee
  • Low blood sugar levels
  • Gluten intolerance
  • Chronic stress, trauma and injury
  • Surgeries and medication
  • Indigestion and malabsorption
  • Nutritional deficiencies
There are various stages of adrenal fatigue as well that can be observed according to the lack and adequacy of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. High secretion of adrenaline results in higher levels of stress and strain. The second stage of adrenal fatigue is when there is resistance levels that sustain the exceeding levels of the adrenal hormones. The third stage of the adrenal fatigue is the exhaustion.

Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue
  • Insomnia and non refreshing sleep
  • Fatigue and a feeling of exhaustion
  • Lack of stress management
  • Cravings for salty and sweet food items
  • Extreme sensitivity to cold
  • Low stamina and low recovery from body exercises
  • Low immune response
  • Cognitive dysfunction and memory loss
  • Lack of concentration
  • Premenstrual syndrome
  • Trembling and palpitation under pressure
  • Reduced sex drive
  • Low blood pressure
  • Neck pain and back pain without any significant reason
Along with the above mentioned symptoms, nervousness, lack of energy and hypoglycemia and dyspepsia are the common adrenal fatigue symptoms. Some often neglected but severe adrenal fatigue symptoms are bronchitis, lasting cough, flu and cold, allergies, postural hypotension and severe headaches.

Diagnosis of Adrenal fatigue
There are several methods that are applied by health care providers to diagnose the condition of adrenal fatigue. Some of the standard tests that are performed include Ragland's Sign Blood Pressure Test, Salivary Cortisol Test and Pupil Dilation Examination. Most of the tests are very cost effective and are also performed without any prescription. A person suffering from the above mentioned adrenal fatigue symptoms must go for diagnosis to find out whether it is a symptom of any adrenal problems.

Treatment of Adrenal fatigue
Now that we know what is adrenal fatigue, it is necessary for us to know how to cure adrenal fatigue as well. There are several ways that are applied for the treatment of adrenal fatigue. As we know, stress is the important cause of adrenal fatigue, therefore, one must try and avoid daily job stress and find out a good way for stress relief. Following a balanced diet that maintains optimum levels of unprocessed carbohydrates and proteins, reducing the amount of caffeine intake, consuming vitamins like B, B6, C and E, having plenty of exercises are very essential along with the prescribed medications.

The important thing to remember here is that adrenal fatigue develops several chronic medical conditions that can be difficult to cure in a later stage, if early signs and symptoms of adrenal fatigue are denied and overlooked. So, the most important thing is the proper diagnosis of the adrenal fatigue symptoms and treatments, using proper medication and leading a healthy lifestyle! Take care!

By Rutuja Jathar
Published: 9/23/2009
 
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