Having trouble getting started in the morning?
Dreading the sound of the alarm clock in the mornings.
Are you suffering with more than six of the symptoms listed below? These are the common signs and symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue.
· Increased sleep (hypersomnia) with difficulty getting up in the morning
· Not fully awake until after 10am
· Needing caffeine to get going
· Depression which worsens as the day increases
· Energy low from mid to late afternoon
· Better energy from 6pm until around 9pm
· Second wind from around 11pm to 1am
· Increased food intake, snacking on salty or sweet foods and caffeine to keep going
· Weight gain
· Feeling run down
· Harder to bounce back from illness or other stresses
· Difficulty concentrating and thinking clearly
· Autoimmune diseases e.g Rheumatoid arthritis
· Chemical sensitivities
· Lethargy
· Low libido
The main symptom is fatigue. This fatigue is not relieved by sleep. Cortisol (which is normally highest at around 8AM) is low in the morning making it harder for you to wake up and get going, even if you have had a full night's sleep.
Medically, stress is recognised as a physical and/or psychological stimulus that can produce mental tension or physiological reactions that may lead to illness. By this definition one may appreciate that stress is a response which includes both physical and mental components - stress may even be derived from imagined experiences (e.g., stress felt during a scary movie).
Some stress enhances function (physical and/or mental) and may be considered "good stress" (i.e, eu-stress). However, if stress persists and is excessive, it may become "bad" (i.e., dis-stress) and lead either to adverse physiological, psychological and/or behavioural changes.
The stress response includes a host of physiological changes, most of which are mediated via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis is believed to play a primary role in the body's reactions to stress, by balancing hormone releases from the adrenaline-producing adrenal medulla and from the corticosteroid-producing adrenal cortex. In stressful situations, the body reacts acutely to stress first by releasing the catecholamine hormones (adrenaline and noradrenaline), and in chronic stress, by releasing glucocorticoid hormones (cortisol and cortisone).
Hypoadrenalism also known as Adrenal Fatigue is where the adrenal glands function, but below their optimal level. As a result, adrenal hormone output and the body's ability to cope with stress are also diminished. Adrenal fatigue is not a disease and is usually associated with intense or prolonged periods of "bad" stress. Adrenal hormones help regulate energy production and storage, heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tone and immune function, just to name a few! Each organ and system in the body is more profoundly affected as the adrenal glands become fatigued.
WARNING: Adrenal restoration without addressing the causes of the stress may merely enable the system to switch back into hyperadrenalism until it once again burns out. Your body can then switch back and forth a number of times before the system finally collapses into chronic fatigue.
There are certain factors that increase susceptibility to Adrenal Fatigue. These include:
· Prolonged, excessive physiological and/or mental and/or emotional stress
· Poor diet
· Substance abuse
· Chronic insomnia (including too little sleep and rest)
· Chronic pain
· Chronic inflammation and illness such as bronchitis and pneumonia
· Hypothyroidism
· Hypo-oestrogenism
· Defective gut and liver detoxification
The causes of Adrenal Fatigue usually stem from one of four common sources that overwhelm the adrenal glands:
1. Disease states such as severe or recurrent pneumonia, bronchitis or flu, cancer, AIDS, auto-immune and other illnesses
2. Physical stress such as surgery, poor nutrition, addiction, injury and exhaustion
3. Emotional/ psychological stress from relationships, finances, work or other unavoidable life situations
4. Continual and/or sever environmental stress from toxic chemicals and pollutants in the air, water, clothing or food
Seeking solutions?
A focused program of lifestyle modifications, body-mind practices, specific nutrients and targeted supplementation for adrenal support can help revitalise adrenal function and greatly enhance stress hardiness.
Diet plays a critical role in adrenal fatigue. A nutritionally inadequate diet that is high in sugar, caffeine and junk food places daily stress on the body that the adrenal glands have to respond to and, at the same time, deprives the adrenals of nutrients that they need to function.
· Increase your intake of fresh vegetables, whole grains, essential fatty acids and protein which will provide nutrients for the stress response.
· Ensure adequate, regular and consistent amounts of sleep each night
· Effective relaxation is essential - try techniques such as tai chi, yoga or meditation
· Get adequate rest (got to bed by 9:30pm and sleep in as long as you can in the morning)
· Maintain a reasonable work and personal schedule is important
· Manage stressful circumstances if possible
· Address chronic pain and/or depression
· Manage physical activity - excessive physical activity can drain energy
· Avoid caffeine, alcohol, cigarette and drug use (even though it temporarily makes you feel better, it only depletes your adrenals more)
Find yourself relating to most of the items detailed in this list? You are not alone.
If you are struggling with your energy levels on a daily basis you may want to consider working with a partner and coach to help you understand what changes you need to make with your lifestyle. Wellness coaching is a service offered at Brisbane Naturopathy & Iridology Clinic and we have assisted many people with the same issues.
Contact us today to discuss your journey and let us know how we can help support you on your way to better health.