Adrenal fatigue can surface at any time in a person’s life and is more common than you think. Caused by poor lifestyle habits and the surrounding environment, adrenal fatigue can begin with subtle symptoms and oftentimes go undetected without proper treatment.
As this prolongs, you might fall into the trap of accepting that fatigue, depression and lack of focus is the result of your lifestyle. As adrenal fatigue can slip under a physician’s radar, it’s natural to blame your symptoms on immediate circumstances like a stressful job or late study nights in a college dorm, for your lack of motivation and energy.
What can cause it?
Adrenal fatigue is caused by several factors, including prolonged stress, sleep deprivation, pollution, poor diet, lack of exercise and even negative thoughts. Unfortunately, this reflects an average lifestyle of anyone who has a stressful job, lives in the city, or who is a college student trying to get by.
Today, the correct diagnosis can be difficult to make as stimulants and mood boosters like caffeine, energy drinks and comforting pastries lurk around every corner to temporarily relieve the symptoms. Since there are some common denominators in terms of the cause and symptoms, it becomes a vicious cycle as habits like a poor diet, not getting enough sleep and drinking too much caffeine can stoke the onset of adrenal fatigue. Thus, turning lifestyle habits into harmful symptoms as the condition develops.
The full list of symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Body aches
- Craving sweets and salty foods
- Depression/Anxiety
- Trouble sleeping
- Irritability
- Lack of focus
- Weakness
- Inflammation
- Weight gain
If this seems like a long list, it’s because adrenal glands are responsible for nearly every function in the body. The adrenal glands rest on top of the kidneys and are part of the endocrine system; managing the body’s hormones, affecting stress levels, energy, metabolism and emotions.
Why does stress play such big role?
The adrenal glands correlate with the pituitary and hypothalamus gland which play a significant role in how your body responds to stress. The adrenal medulla releases adrenaline that triggers the fight or flight response, which is followed by the adrenal cortex releasing corticosteroids compromising digestion, the immune system and anything else the body feels it can temporarily sacrifice to survive.
There is help available!
As with most conditions, the longer it is left untreated, the longer it takes to reverse it. However, if appropriately addressed, the effects of adrenal fatigue can be dampened and eventually eliminated with a few adjustments to your daily habits, specifically, your diet.
For example, by eliminating sweets, adding natural high quality, GMP certified supplements and superfoods that are tailored to your body’s needs, the effects of adrenal fatigue will lessen, giving your body a chance to recalibrate and heal.
Through detailed assessment forms and a thorough health history review and a Functional Medicine approach, Forum Health Clarkston can help determine if adrenal fatigue is inhibiting your ability to be at your best. Offering a customized plan that will target any underlying issues, we can get your body back on track and feeling great. Give us a call today and heal your adrenals now!! 248-625-5143
Forum Health Clarkston
248-625-5143
7300 Dixie Hwy
Suite 500
Clarkston, MI 48346
References:
Hayward, Jeff. (2015, December 1). 6 Possible signs of Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome. Retrieved from:
http://www.activebeat.co/your-health/6-possible-signs-of-adrenal-fatigue-syndrome/2/
Axe, Josh. (2014, October 9). 3 Steps to Heal Adrenal Fatigue. Retrieved from:
https://draxe.com/3- steps-to-heal-adrenal-fatigue/
