What You Need to Know About Adrenal Fatigue

The adrenal glands secrete a number of hormones that are indispensable for maintaining your organ function. The major hormone is cortisol, which is also known as the stress hormone.

When the adrenal glands are not secreting enough hormones, a variety of signs and symptoms arise that could be devastating.

In this article, we will cover the basics of adrenal burnout, starting with the difference between this condition and adrenal insufficiency. After that, we will list a few strategies to help you cope with the symptoms of adrenal burnout.

Adrenal burnout Vs. Adrenal insufficiency

Adrenal insufficiency is also known as Addison’s disease. It is characterized by poor production of adrenal hormones, which presents with an array of signs and symptoms.

On the other hand, adrenal burnout suggests that the chronic secretion of stress hormones due to unhealthy lifestyle choices may negatively impact the function of your adrenal glands.

The symptoms of these two conditions may overlap in some cases.

The causes of adrenal burnout

There is a lot of debate about the causes of adrenal burnout. However, some theories suggest that the following factors may contribute to the development of adrenal fatigue:

·         Chronic stress and inflammation

·         Insufficient sleep or poor sleep quality

·         Poor diet (i.e., high intake of processed foods and sugar)

·         Overuse of stimulants (e.g., caffeine, energy drinks)

·         Exposure to environmental toxins (e.g., pollutants, chemicals)

·         Infections or illnesses that place stress on the body

·         Overexertion

·         Emotional trauma or ongoing emotional stress

·         Nutrient deficiencies, such as low levels of B vitamins or magnesium

·         Genetics or a family history of adrenal problems

Symptoms of adrenal burnout

Adrenal burnout interferes with the production of cortisol and aldosterone due to chronic stress. The former regulates the body’s physiological response to stress, whereas the latter helps with the regulation of water, sodium, and potassium.

The proponents of adrenal burnout theorize that we do not possess the technology that allows us to precisely measure a slight decline in levels of stress hormones, which is why many doctors are unable to diagnose this condition.

If you have adrenal burnout, you may experience the following symptoms:

·         Fatigue

·         Weakness

·         Anorexia (i.e., loss of appetite)

·         Unexplained weight loss

·         Loss of body hair fatigue

·         Difficulty getting to sleep

·         Difficulty waking up

·         Sugar cravings

·         Unexplained weight loss

·         Lack of motivation

·         Brain fog

Adrenal burnout diagnosis

If you have symptoms of adrenal burnout, the first step to do is to consult with your doctor. He/she will conduct a thorough evaluation to look for objective signs that suggest the diagnosis of adrenal burnout.

Some underlying medical conditions that may trigger your symptoms include:

·         Anemia

·         Infections

·         Autoimmune diseases

·         Diabetes

·         Kidney disease

·         Heart problems

·         Lung problems

·         Liver disease

·         Sleep apnea

·         Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

After ruling out these diagnoses, your doctor may look into mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety, to explain your symptoms.

Once the differential diagnoses have been eliminated, your doctor will confirm the diagnosis of adrenal burnout and suggest a treatment plan.

Note that not all mainstream physicians believe that adrenal burnout is a real condition, which may cause you trouble when trying to get a management plan.

Strategies to fight adrenal burnout

Above, we covered the basics of adrenal burnout and how this condition could alter your quality of life and predispose you to several illnesses.

However, it is not all doom and gloom, as there is a lot you can do to counter and reverse adrenal burnout, which will undoubtedly improve your symptoms and quality of life.

While there are several steps you can do to fight adrenal burnout, we opted for 4 effective strategies:

1.     Adrenal burnout diet

Over the past few years, experts identified a number of food elements that counter the effects of adrenal burnout. Following these dietary habits can significantly improve your symptoms and help you live a healthier life.

Here are the food elements that you should include:

·         High protein foods

·         Whole grains

·         Vegetables (e.g., kale, spinach)

You should also lower your consumption of the following:

·         Simple carbohydrates (e.g., sugar)

·         Processed foods

·         Fried foods

·         Caffeine

Experts also advocate sticking to a regular meal schedule to prevent unnecessary spikes of insulin and blood glucose.

2.     Decrease stress

Since cortisol is a hormone that gets secreted during times of stress, it makes sense that chronic psychological stress can lead to adrenal burnout.

The following activities can all help you control your stress:

·         Meditation

·         Deep breathing exercises

·         Exercise

·         Take a break from social media and digital devices

3.     Vitamins and minerals

Many studies found that supplementing patients with vague symptoms resembling adrenal burnout leads to improved status.

Some of the studied substances include:

·         Vitamins B-5, B-6, and B-12

·         Vitamin C

·         Magnesium

Note that you should speak with your primary care physician before adding vitamins and minerals to your diet. It would also be helpful to test the levels of these substances in a laboratory to look for any deficiencies.

4.     Herbal supplements

Many natural healing practitioners suggest that herbal supplements can also affect the symptoms of adrenal burnout.

Some of the recommended supplements include:

·         Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

·         Golden root (Rhodiola rosea)

·         Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus)

·         Maca root (Lepidium peruvianum Chacon)

Similar to vitamins and minerals, you may want to speak with your doctor before taking herbs, especially when you are being treated for other medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure).

Let’s now summarize adrenal fatigue with this table:

Topic

Key Points / Numbers

Adrenal Burnout vs. Adrenal Insufficiency

Adrenal Insufficiency (Addison’s): Poor hormone production.

Adrenal Burnout: Chronic stress that leads to reduced hormone levels (theorized).

Possible Causes

Chronic stress, poor sleep, poor diet, overuse of stimulants, and nutrient deficiencies.

Common Symptoms

Fatigue, weight loss, difficulty sleeping, sugar cravings, and brain fog.

Differential Diagnoses

Anemia, infections, autoimmune, diabetes, and some mental health issues.

Treatments

Diet (high protein and reduced sugar/caffeine), Stress reduction, Supplements (B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium), and Herbal remedies (e.g., licorice, Rhodiola).

Takeaway message

Adrenal burnout is a very common disease that most people are unaware of. Learning more about this condition and how to handle it can dramatically improve your quality of life and lower the risk of side effects.

Following the appropriate strategies can be very helpful in fighting adrenal burnout and reversing the inflicted damage. We decided to opt for the strategies listed above due to the rich scientific evidence that supports their effectiveness.

We hope that this article will serve as a solution to adrenal burnout and manage to help people who suffer from vague symptoms that disrupt their quality of life.