Adrenal fatigue is a term used in functional medicine that describes a collection of signs and symptoms that include fatigue, body aches, and digestive problems. Stressed, tired and can’t sleep? Know the signs of adrenal fatigue.
If you’re noticing you’re feeling very tired all the time, having trouble sleeping and are often stressed out which also causes you to have trouble sleeping, these could be signs of adrenal fatigue. Before you self diagnose, here is what you need to know about the causes and signs of adrenal fatigue.
Causes of Adrenal Fatigue
The adrenal glands sit on top of your kidneys and produce a variety of very important hormones, such as cortisol, the “stress” hormone that helps regulate your immune system, blood sugar, and metabolism. When experiencing chronic bouts of prolonged stress, the adrenal glands will continue to make cortisol at the expense of the other hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone). This can lead to adrenal fatigue.
Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue
Some common symptoms of adrenal fatigue include the following:
- Fatigue
- Body aches
- Digestive problems often leading to weight loss
- Sleep disturbances
- Low blood pressure
- Low sex drive
- Cravings for sweet or salty snacks
Complications Resulting from Adrenal Fatigue
Adrenal fatigue can result in imbalances in your fluid and electrolyte balance; heart and cardiovascular system; and carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism.
In worst-case scenarios, adrenal fatigue can render you so tired you will find it difficult to get up for more than a few hours a day.
Treating Adrenal Fatigue
Our doctors can create a treatment plan to best address your specific case of adrenal fatigue. It may involve the following:
- A saliva test to help diagnose your adrenal stress index
- Cortisol samples to evaluate your body’s response to stress
- A nutritional plan involving vitamins, minerals, and herbs to help build up your body’s energy
- A customized plan to rebuild your adrenal glands and protect them from daily stressors
Take Control
Adrenal fatigue can take quite a toll on your body. Whether your symptoms have begun to impair your quality of life or not, we always recommend that you pursue some type of treatment plan and never treat without the help of a professional. Ignoring adrenal fatigue can lead to more serious conditions over time. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms and would like to learn more, please contact us for an appointment today. You can click here to fill out a form or dial (973) 998-7770.
