Adrenal fatigue - Rejuvenate Wellness

What is adrenal fatigue?

Adrenal fatigue is a condition characterized by consistent, long-term stress and overload of the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands produce key hormones like cortisol that help regulate your metabolism, immune system, blood pressure, response to stress and more.

With adrenal fatigue, the adrenals become overworked and unable to keep up with the demands placed on them. As a result, they produce less and less cortisol and other hormones. This leads to symptoms like:

Symptom	Description
Fatigue	Persistent tiredness and lack of energy
Brain fog	Difficulty concentrating and mental clarity
Difficulty getting up in the morning	Struggling to wake up and start the day
Cravings for salty or sweet foods	Intense desires for specific foods
Difficulty handling stress	Feeling overwhelmed by stressors
Low libido	Decreased sex drive and interest
Depression	Persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness

What causes adrenal fatigue?

There are a few key causes behind adrenal fatigue:

Cause	Description
Chronic stress	Consistent stress from work, finances, relationships, trauma or other factors keeps your adrenals activated and unable to properly rest
Poor diet	Eating lots of processed foods, sugar, caffeine and alcohol taxes your adrenals, while not getting enough nutrients hampers adrenal function
Infections	Chronic infections like Lyme disease are a common cause of adrenal fatigue, as your adrenals work hard to combat infections
Medications	Medications like prednisone act similar to adrenal hormones like cortisol, which can make your adrenals lazy and not have to work as hard, and coming off these medications suddenly can be a shock
Sleep deprivation	Not getting 7-9 hours of sleep prevents your adrenals from recharging at night, leading to adrenal burnout over time

What are the symptoms of adrenal fatigue?

Some of the most common symptoms of adrenal fatigue include:

• Fatigue and needing lots of sleep
• Waking up tired even after plenty of sleep
• Cravings for salty, fatty or sugary foods
• Increased effort to do everyday tasks
• Dependence on stimulants like caffeine
• Depression, anxiety or mood swings
• Brain fog and poor concentration
• Low libido and hormonal issues

The symptoms tend to be worst in the morning and improve somewhat throughout the day. They can come and go in cycles depending on stress levels. Mild or moderate exercise may help temporarily but then leave you more exhausted afterwards.

How is adrenal fatigue diagnosed?

Some key ways adrenal fatigue may be diagnosed include:

• Blood tests - These can check adrenal hormones like cortisol and DHEA-S. Typical findings include low morning cortisol, low DHEA-S and inverted cortisol to DHEA ratio.
• Saliva testing - This can look at circadian cortisol rhythms throughout the day. With adrenal fatigue cortisol levels are typically low in the morning and fail to increase later in the day.
• Symptom questionnaires - Your doctor may have you fill out a questionnaire about your symptoms to help determine if they match up with adrenal fatigue.
• Medical history - Your doctor will look at your history of chronic stress, sleep deprivation, diet, medications and other factors that may have contributed to decreased adrenal function.

What is the best treatment for adrenal fatigue?

The key pillars in treating adrenal fatigue include:

• Stress reduction - Limiting stress through relaxation practices, work-life balance, mindfulness, therapy and other tools. This gives your adrenals a break.
• Healthy diet - Eating a diet filled with fruits, vegetables, healthy fats and protein gives your adrenals the nutrients they need. Avoid processed foods, excess sugar and stimulants.
• High quality sleep - Getting 7-9 hours per night allows your adrenals to recharge. Having a nightly bedtime routine helps significantly.
• Adaptogenic herbs - Herbs like ashwagandha, rhodiola and ginseng help strengthen adrenal function and reduce cortisol levels. Our clinic has seen excellent results using the Rejuvenate Wellness Adrenal Formula.
• Hormone replacement - In some cases, short-term DHEA or hydrocortisone at proper dosing can help provide adrenal support and relieve symptoms. This should be monitored by a hormone specialist.

Conclusion

Adrenal fatigue is a common condition that can have a significant impact on your quality of life. By understanding the causes, symptoms, and diagnosis of adrenal fatigue, you can take steps to support your adrenal health and reduce your risk of developing this condition. If you suspect you may have adrenal fatigue, schedule a consultation at Rejuvenate Wellness. Our adrenal recovery programs can help you get your energy back on track and improve your overall health and well-being.