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Causes of Adrenal Fatigue[edit source | edit]

Physiological Response to Stress

Stress is a major concern in the United States, and it is a contributing factor to adrenal fatigue. It is estimated that 75-90 percent of visits to the doctor occur because of stress-related problems [1]. Stress can cause the immune system to lose normal functioning, which is augmented when a patient is in times of chronic stress [1]. Immediately following a stressful event, norepinephrine and epinephrine are released from the adrenal glands [1]. This stimulates the fight or flight response [1]. The adrenal glands then release cortisol into circulation [1]. Cortisol is a stress hormone that is released after psychologically stressful events or conditions occur, such as calorie restriction, surgery, sleep deprivation, excessive exercise, and various mental states [1]. Cortisol plays a vital role in the regular functioning of the human body and aids in regulating blood pressure, metabolism, food digestion, and energy production [2]. All of these factors contribute to elevated cortisol levels [1]. These elevated cortisol levels can contribute to the development of adrenal fatigue [1]. Adrenal fatigue can cause the immune system to lose normal functioning, which is augmented when a patient is in times of chronic stress [1]. When people are faced with long-term stress in their lives, the adrenal glands oftentimes cannot keep up with the body's necessity for hormones like cortisol that help deal with stress [3]. This can result in adrenal fatigue. It is important to note that adrenal fatigue is not a recognized medical diagnosis within the scientific community [4]. However, there are medical supporters of adrenal fatigue that suspect that it may be a mild form of Addison's disease [4].

Treatment Options[edit source | edit]

Various Vitamin Supplements Unregulated by the FDA

There are several treatment options advised by medical professionals for adrenal fatigue. One treatment option is to start taking nutritional supplements to help combat the effects of adrenal fatigue. For example, one supplement that can improve adrenal health is fish oil [1]. Studies have shown that following three weeks of taking fish oil supplements contributed to a reduction of stress and lower cortisol spikes during stressful events [1]. In addition, vitamin B1 and B6 supplements have been shown to regulate adrenal gland function and activity, helping reduce cortisol spikes [1]. However, it is important to note that the United States Food and Drug Administration does not regulate vitamin and nutritional supplements [3]. One of the main reasons why pharmaceutical companies rarely license a vitamin or supplement is because these vitamins, herbs, or minerals have been used for generations, so they cannot be patented easily [5]. Thus, if a patent cannot be created, the pharmaceutical company has little interest in backing the product because they will not make very much money off of the product [5]. Due to the lack of FDA regulation, a consumer should be cognizant that there is no guarantee that the vitamin and nutritional supplements actually contain the ingredients on the label [3]. In addition, before taking any supplements, consult your doctor about your adrenal fatigue symptoms [3]. Supplements can be dangerous if taken at too high of a dosage and when not advised by your doctor or medical professional [3].

Related Adrenal Disorders[edit source | edit]

The Adrenal Cortex

It is important to consult a doctor or medical professional if you are experiencing any of the symptoms of adrenal fatigue. This is because the symptoms you are experiencing could potentially be related to a more serious medical condition. Adrenal fatigue patients may experience body aches, nervousness, fatigue, and problems with sleep and digestive health [4]. However, adrenal insufficiency, also called Addison's disease, starts off with many of the same symptoms as adrenal fatigue [4]. Addison's disease occurs when about 90% of the adrenal cortex in the brain is destroyed, resulting in the symptoms of Addison's disease [6]. These symptoms could include the same adrenal fatigue symptoms: body aches, nervousness, fatigue, and problems with sleep and digestive health [4]. However, in addition to those symptoms, patients with Addison's disease could potentially experience lightheadedness, weight loss, discoloration in the skin, dehydration, nausea & vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, low blood pressure, and loss of hair on the body [3][4]. In order to diagnose Addison's disease, a doctor will use several tests, including blood tests, to examine the adrenal hormone levels [4]. If there is an insufficiency in the hormones, then you may have Addison's disease [4]. In addition, a short corticotropin stimulation test may also be used in order to diagnose a patient with Addison's disease [6]. This is because patients with Addison's disease oftentimes have skin discoloration called hyerpigmentation, which is caused by the increase of corticotropin [7]. Specifically, patients with Addison's disease have insufficient levels of cortisol, aldosterone, and other androgens in the body [6]. Once diagnosed with Addison's disease, there are medications available that can help restore the adrenal hormones to their normal state [3]. Besides Addison's disease, adrenal fatigue symptoms could point to other medical conditions such as depression, obstructive sleep apnea, or various other medical conditions [3]. Thus, it is highly recommended that you see a medical professional if experiencing adrenal fatigue symptoms in order to receive an accurate medical diagnosis.

See also[edit source | edit][edit source | edit

• Chronic stress
• Chronic Lyme disease
• Leaky gut syndrome
• List of questionable diseases

References[edit source | edit][edit source | edit]

Alternative medicine portal

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Using Wikipedia for research

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External links[edit source | edit][edit source | edit]

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Adrenal fatigue[edit source | edit]

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1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k l m Head, Kathleen (2009). "Nutrients and Botanicals for Treatment of Stress: Adrenal fatigue, Neurotransmitter Imbalance, Anxiety, and Restless Sleep" (PDF). Alternative Medicine Review. Alternative Medicine Review.
2. Jump up ^ "Adrenal Insufficiency and Addison's Disease". www.niddk.nih.gov. Retrieved 2016-03-13.
3. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h "Adrenal Fatigue Myth vs Fact | Hormone Health Network". www.hormone.org. Retrieved 2016-03-13.
4. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h "Adrenal fatigue: What causes it? - Mayo Clinic". www.mayoclinic.org. Retrieved 2016-03-16.
5. ^ Jump up to: a b Aldridge, Susan (1998). Magic Molecules how drugs work. Cambridge University Press. pp. Chapter 10. ISBN 0521044154.
6. ^ Jump up to: a b c "U-M Weblogin". accesspharmacy.mhmedical.com.proxy.lib.umich.edu. Retrieved 2016-03-16.
7. Jump up ^ "U-M Weblogin". accesspharmacy.mhmedical.com.proxy.lib.umich.edu. Retrieved 2016-03-16.