What is adrenal fatigue?
Adrenal fatigue (also known as adrenal fatigue syndrome) is caused by adrenal glands that have become overworked. The adrenal glands are responsible for excreting “stress hormones,” including cortisol, when the body or mind becomes stressed.
What causes adrenal fatigue syndrome?
In modern society –especially when the economy continues to struggle– the adrenal glands could be called upon to excrete these stress hormones several times a day, as the sufferer experiences stress all day long. In time, the adrenal glands become overworked (fatigued), and they are no longer able to excrete the necessary hormones. At this point, the person can be said to be suffering from adrenal fatigue. There are many symptoms of the condition. A person is not considered to have the condition of he or she has a few of the symptoms. Instead, they are considered to have the condition if they have a majority of the symptoms associated with the condition.
What are the symptoms of adrenal fatigue?
Here are ten of the most common symptoms of adrenal fatigue syndrome:
- feeling tired or lethargic. This goes beyond the common tiredness that most people experience at the end of a day. A person with adrenal fatigue will feel unbearably tired all day long.
- low blood pressure. This is considered a symptom of adrenal fatigue if it is a sudden development. For instance, if the patient has had normal blood pressure for most of their life, and has developed a low blood pressure over the course of the last several months, this can be a symptom of adrenal fatigue.
- heart palpitations. Heart palpitations are short bursts of the heart racing or feeling as though it has an irregular beat.
- craving sweet and starchy foods. Because the body’s adrenal glands are not working properly, the body and brain seek out sugary foods that will give quick doses of energy.
- constipation alternating with diarrhea
- frequent bouts of respiratory diseases, including the flu
- tendency to gain wait and difficulty in losing it. A person with adrenal fatigue will usually hold body fat around the belly.
- anxiety and panic attacks. The imbalance of hormones in the body and brain can cause a person with adrenal fatigue syndrome to suffer from frequent feelings of anxiety. Panic attacks are also common.
- decreased libido. The hormonal imbalances caused by fatigued adrenal glands can also affect a person’s libido. This causes a person to lose interest in sex. Because this can affect one’s personal relationships, this often puts further stress on the patient.
- irritability and impatience. A person with adrenal fatigue may become irritable and impatient as a result of the constant feelings of stress and exhaustion.