Adrenal Burnout
Jacob Farin, N.D.
Are you feeling burnt out? There are two little glands, called the adrenal glands, that sit on top of your kidneys and produce hormones that supply you with energy. When they constantly work overtime, they fizzle out, causing symptoms of fatigue, exhaustion and burnout. And what causes this to happen? Chronic stress.
Acute stress, such as encountering a tiger in the wild, causes the adrenal glands to increase their output of stress hormones. These hormones prepare you to either fight the tiger or take flight from the tiger. Either way, this is a good thing.
However, your mind does not differentiate between encountering a tiger and meeting deadlines, such as paying your taxes. Stress comes in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes they take center stage, and sometimes they just stew in the back of your mind. Whatever the cause, chronic stress causes the adrenal glands to produce a constant supply of these stress hormones. With time, the adrenal glands eventually lose "juice" as your ability to adapt to stress drastically decreases.
Symptoms of chronic stress and adrenal burnout may include weakness, exhaustion, insomnia, depression, stomach ulcers, muscle and joint pain, hair loss, and recurring infections. The detection for adrenal burnout begins with a simple salivary test called the Adrenal Stress Index. Using saliva samples, the ASI determines the extent of adrenal burnout and whether or not you're producing a normal pattern of adrenal hormones.
Ideally, we produce the most adrenal hormones in the morning, which then drops off by bedtime, allowing us to sleep. Constant low levels of adrenal hormones may result in exhaustion and weakness, while constant high levels may result in insomnia and stomach ulcers. Another abnormal pattern is low secretions during the day with elevated secretions at night, causing daytime fatigue and nighttime alertness.
Other than a prescription to go to Hawaii, treatment for adrenal burnout may include "anti-stress" vitamins, mineral supplements, herbs, and specific dietary changes. Adrenal hormones may also be added to reduce the workload of the adrenal glands. With a properly designed treatment plan, most people experience relief and renewed energy within 1-2 weeks. When combined with powerful stress-dissolving techniques, such as hypnosis, the effects can be long lasting.
Adrenal burnout, chronic fatigue and exhaustion are treatable. Call the Center to schedule a consultation to get yourself on the road to greater health and vitality.