The adrenal glands sit on top of the kidneys. They are responsible for the production of several hormones, in particular: epinephrine, cortisol and aldosterone. These hormone have effects on the body that range from modulating stress, flight or fight conditions, sleep and wake cycles as well as water retention or elimination to name a few.
Adrenal dysfunction or no more understood as, Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrendal Dysfunction, is the inadequate or excessive or imbalanced production of hormones that impact the adrenal gland. Sumbunal of patients have some degree of dysfunction. This can be seen as a clinical disorder and as a contributing factor to chronic illness. Stress can affect adrenals, which affects cortisol and hormone production. Stressors are additive and cumulative; the more and greater the intensity and longer the duration of each stress will lead to a greater cumulative stress load.
Burning the candle at both ends, all work without rest and play, compounded with stress resulting in a “burned out person.”
Signs and Symptoms include:
Fatigue
- Wake tired in spite of sleeping many hours
- Energy burst during the day
- Mid day fatigue and desire to take a nap
- Second wind in the evening
- Sleepy at 8pm and awake at 10pm
Tired after exertion
Mild depression
Lethargy
- Decreased ability to handle stress
Muscular weakness
Decreased libido
- Swollen ankles-worse in the evening
- Lightheadedness upon rising
- Frequent sighing
- Immune dysfunction – allergy-histamine reaction
Excess abdominal weight
Crave salt and salty food
Irritability
Cravings for stimulants
Cravings for caffeine, nicotine, sugar, carbohydrates and fats
At Ai Vida Health we test using a series of labs. We typically treat our patients for adrenal fatigue using nutrition, lifestyle changes, supplements, adaptogenic herbs and bio-identical hormones; restoring health and balance into their lives.
Returning to health and balance is a process and recovery can take months and it’s important to remember to maintain these healthy lifestyle changes, in order to have a healthy and abundant life.
The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems.
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