Tired? Stressed? Can’t sleep? Craving sugar?
All of the above can be related to the constant stress we feel in our lives. We know that stress can have a massive impact on our health and wellness. And, since your adrenal glands produce stress hormones, adrenal fatigue (or “HPA Axis Dysregulation,”) is a popular theme lately.
What are you adrenal glands you ask? Great question! Your adrenal glands look like walnuts and they live on top of both of your kidneys. These important glands produce many hormones, including stress hormones.
But what happens when they become “overworked?”
You’ve heard of “adrenaline junkies,” right?
Adrenaline and cortisol are the stress hormones that give you the commonly known adrenaline rush; when you’re totally alert and living in the moment. This feeling is often known as your body’s “fight or flight” response.
Some people (perhaps you?) just love that intense feeling.
The release of hormones in the fight or flight response is your body’s normal reaction to stress. Stress isn’t always a bad thing, it can sometimes be positive, like when it helps you swerve and prevent a crash.
After a short amount time, the flight or flight response dissipates, your body goes back to normal, and all is well and good again.
But what would happen if you felt constant stress? I’m talking like all day, every day? Like “chronic” stress?
It would no longer feel like an awesome (once-in-a-while) “rush,” anymore would it?
And what do you think happens to your poor adrenal glands when they’re constantly working?
They’d get fatigued and worn out, right?
Do I have adrenal fatigue?
When your adrenal glands start getting tired of secreting stress hormones all day every day, you can start getting other symptoms.
Symptoms can include things like fatigue, difficulty sleeping, mood swings, weight loss or gain, joint pain, sugar cravings, even frequent illnesses like colds and the flu are signs that your adrenals are overworked.
First off, I have to tell you that there aren’t medically accepted blood tests that can be done for adrenal fatigue. In fact, it’s not recognised by most medical professionals up until the point when your adrenals are so fatigued and worn out they almost stop working all together. At that point, the official diagnoses of “Adrenal Insufficiency” or “Addison’s Disease” may apply.
However, if you do have symptoms, you should book an appointment to see your doctor to rule out other conditions. He or she could possibly be open to discussing adrenal fatigue, or at the very least, strategies to help you deal with the stresses (and symptoms) in your life.
What to do if I have these symptoms?
There are many steps you can take to reduce your stress load and improve your health and energy levels.
If you think stress is starting to burn you out, stress reduction is the key. There are a stack of ideas on how you can reduce your stress. Some of my favourites are meditation, walking in nature, light exercise, more sleep, or taking a bath.
Of course, I also recommend reducing sugar and processed food intake and eating more fruits and vegetables. Better nutrition can only be a good thing for your body. So go ahead and do it!
Conclusion
Your adrenal glands produce hormones in response to stress. After long-term daily stress, they may get fatigued.
Adrenal fatigue doesn’t have a true diagnostic test nor specific telltale symptoms thus making it a controversial disease.
The most important thing you can do is to get tested to rule out other potential conditions. You should also try stress reduction techniques like meditation, walks in nature, light exercise, more sleep, or even a lovely bath.
Recipe (Stress-reducing bath salt): Lavender Bath Salts
Per bath
2 cups Epsom salts
10 drops lavender essential oil
As you’re running your warm bath water, add ingredients to the tub. Mix until dissolved
Light some candles, dim the lights and enjoy your stress-reducing bath!
Tip: Try adding a tablespoon of dried lavender flowers.
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