#adrenal fatigue

[tinyshe]

Prayer Request: please pray that this new doctor can help reverse some health crisis and can be affordable for us.

[crosstheveil]

Health: Adrenal Glands

TCM: Jing, Kidneys

GNM: Off Track (cortex), Unbearable Stress (medulla)

Greek: Sanguine (cortex), Choleric (medulla)

Chakra: Root

Astrology: Mars, Aries-Libra; ex. managing adrenal health can be especially important for natal placements like Mars in Libra/7th, Mars in Pisces/12th, South Node conjunct Mars, etc.

The adrenal glands, which sit atop the kidneys, play a central role in the body's response to stress, fatigue, immune challenges, and several key physiological and metabolic functions. Issues related to the adrenal glands is very common yet highly under-diagnosed. They consist of two regions:

Adrenal Cortex: Derived from the mesodermal base substance cholesterol, the adrenal cortex produces hormones such as cortisol, corticosterone, aldosterone, and male sex hormones. These hormones play vital roles in physiological functions. Cortisol and corticosterone, known as stress hormones, contribute to the regulation of metabolism, inflammation, and blood sugar, and assist in long-term stress response by enriching the blood with minerals and glucose. Their anabolic effects also aid in healing and regeneration. Aldosterone helps maintain blood pressure by regulating the balance of salt and water in the body. The adrenal cortex's production of male sex hormones can influence the reproductive system. If unresolved, chronic stress may lead to excessive cortisol production, causing problems like weight gain and high blood sugar.

Adrenal Medulla: The endodermal adrenal medulla manages emotional and physical stress by producing the hormones noradrenaline, dopamine, and adrenaline. These hormones are pivotal in activating the "fight, fright, flight" response, a physiological reaction that occurs in response to a perceived harmful event or threat. This acute stress response increases heart rate, blood sugar, and mental alertness, along with other physiological changes. Chronic anger or emotional upheaval can strain the adrenal medulla, leading to an energetic drain.

Stress

The adrenal glands are highly sensitive to stress, and chronic stress can lead to various disorders:

Psychiatric Disorders: Neuroses, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder.

Neurological Disorders: Migraines, peripheral neuropathy, dizziness, tremors.

Glandular Disorders: Issues related to other glands including the thyroid which is responsible for cell growth; for instance, uterine cancer, polyps, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism.

Cardiovascular Disorders: Coronary artery disease, stroke, heart attack, hypertension, arrhythmias.

Respiratory Disorders: Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), difficulty in breathing.

Immunological Disorders: Possible tumor promotion, reduced resistance to infection, autoimmune disorders, chronic inflammation.

Metabolic Disorders: Diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, difficulty in regulating blood sugar.

Gastrointestinal Disorders: Ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic indigestion, malabsorption.

Genitourinary Disorders: Impotence, incontinence, menstrual problems, urinary tract infections, kidney dysfunction.

Musculoskeletal Disorders: Muscle weakness, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, joint pain.

Skin Disorders: Acne, eczema, psoriasis, skin thinning.

Cysts and Cancer

Adrenal Weakness: If the adrenal glands don't produce enough adrenaline, the heart may pump slower, leading to fluid accumulation and cysts in the prostate, ovaries, and breasts. These cysts can harden and potentially lead to cancer.

Blood Flow: Increasing blood flow can help resolve cysts if addressed quickly.

Signs of Imbalance

Frequent sickness, fatigue, low libido, low backache, chronic health issues, dark circles under the eyes, hair loss, early greying, frequent urination at night, cold hands and feet, brain fog, pain and weakness in the lower back, loins, thighs, knees and lower body, urinary weakness and debility, polyuria and nocturia, impotence and male sexual dysfunction, moodiness and irritability, depression, muscle or bone loss, autoimmune conditions, chronic fatigue, hormone imbalance, body aches, unexplained weight loss, lightheadedness, skin discoloration (hyperpigmentation), weakened stress response, insulin resistance, sleep problems, weight gain, sweet and salty food cravings, difficulty getting up in the morning, increased PMS or menopausal symptoms, inability to handle stress, increased allergies, frequent sighing, cravings for salty foods, higher energy levels in the evenings, overuse of stimulants like caffeine.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Jing (essence): The statement by the Chinese that the kidneys harbor our Jing refers to the adrenals having the highest concentration of neural crest cell derivatives in the entire body. Strong Jing corresponds to robust characteristics like strong teeth, which are made by neural crest cells, while weak Jing relates to signs of aging like grey hair and deafness, also linked to neural crest cells. Jing's manifestations include the progression from youth to adulthood, reflected in functions controlled by the pituitary (aided by neural crest cells), and can be seen in the structure of the face and jaw. Neural crest cells also create the heart's connective tissue, affecting lifespan. Jing as a concept is not the same as neural crest cells but they represent the body's inherent organizational strength. Weak organizational energy leads to neural crest cells that don't form properly or function well, resulting in genetic disorders affecting facial development. The Chinese recognized these markers as indicators of weak Jing.

Kidneys & Urinary Tract: The adrenal glands are connected to the kidneys not just through the renal fascia, but also by way of the renal artery, draining into the renal vein, and receiving nerve connections from the renal plexus. The kidneys regulates the body's water content and are essential for maintaining healthy bones, as well as producing healthy bone marrow and blood. It determines the level of adrenaline and dopamine in the body, affecting our energy and rest. In addition, it forms a relationship with the heart through various hormones. During puberty, the adrenal cortex starts to produce sex hormones like testosterone and oestrogen, and this production continues throughout adulthood. Caffeine depletes kidney qi, yang, yin, and essence, contributing to liver and adrenal issues, and long-term exhaustion. Regular coffee drinkers, especially those who don’t feel its effects, may be nearing adrenal exhaustion. Adrenal fatigue is often considered a kidney yang deficiency. If left untreated, it can progress to a kidney yin deficiency. These deficiencies are often marked by a light low groaning tone to the voice, a darkish pallor under the eyes, negative attitudes of insufficiency or inadequacy, needing to sit and not being able to stand for long, and worrying about money. Additionally, those who experience traumatic shock or long term stress often have their hair turn gray or fall out.

Kidney Yang (medulla): Linked to the reactive sympathetic nervous system and the hormones adrenaline, dopamine, and norepinephrine, produced in the adrenals. A deficiency in kidney yang can lead to symptoms like cold hands and feet, edema, night urination, and low libido. This deficiency parallels disorders like adrenal fatigue, hypothyroidism, and sexual dysfunction. This condition is worsened by the use of marijuana, diminishing our natural drive, motivation, and willpower. Adrenaline is used to treat conditions like asthma, anaphylaxis, and slow heart rates. It works on the cell membrane's outside, which is known as the yang aspect of the cell. It never enters the cell but attaches to a receptor on the outside, initiating a cascade of chemicals that open or close gates on the cell's exterior. In the heart and muscles, adrenaline prompts more calcium to enter, which amplifies the force of contraction; in the lungs, it leads to the relaxation of the muscles, permitting more air to flow in; in the brain, it initiates the emotional reactions connected with fear.

Kidney Yin (cortex): Associated with the parasympathetic nervous system and the hormone cortisol, produced in the adrenals. A kidney yin deficiency may manifest as sore back, leg weakness, insomnia, and anxiety. It may parallel disorders like diabetes, high blood pressure, and hyperthyroidism. Although necessary for daily function and stress response, excessive cortisol can lead to fluid retention, osteoporosis, muscle wasting, depression, and diabetes. If our bodies stopped producing cortisol, it would result in significant illness. While adrenaline binds to the exterior of the cell (yang), cortisol is absorbed into the very core (yin). Contrary to the effects of adrenaline which are more immediate, the effects of cortisol can take years.

Greek Medicine

Hot Temperament: The adrenals are generally represented as stimulating and energizing various functions to adapt to stress.

Adrenal Cortex: Sanguine, nutritive, and anabolic, enriching the blood and decreasing swelling.

Adrenal Medulla: Choleric, energetic, and catabolic, stimulating acute stress response.

Faculty Support: Adrenal glands produce supplementary amounts of sexual hormones, bridging a connection between vital and generative faculties; supporting heart and lungs (vital), kidneys and pancreas in blood sugar regulation (natural), enhancing mental alertness and stimulating the sympathetic nervous system functioning (psychic), supporting male sexual function and response (generative).

Root Center: The adrenals form the basic energetic support for the entire organism, associated with the Root Chakra.

Kidneys & Urinary Tract: Weak adrenals may adversely affect the vitality and functioning of the kidneys and urinary tract, which are interlinked with the adrenal glands'. When the kidneys are not effectively eliminating fluids, it can lead to the accumulation of phlegm and moisture. Additionally, the kidneys have a connection to the soles of the feet which may be affected by cold conditions. Conditions of melancholy or devitalization of the adrenals, kidneys, and urinary tract often correlate with chronic fatigue.

Adrenal Exhaustion: Chronic stress and irregular habits can lead to fatigue, irritability, pain, and impotence in men usually caused by flare-ups of Choleric anger or any experiences which feel like a roller coaster. Sexual overindulgence also exhaust the adrenals.

Male Sexual Function: The adrenal glands provide energetic support for male sexual function. Issues with adrenal energy may result in sexual dysfunction, including impotence or premature ejaculation.

Blood Sugar Regulation: In instances of dangerously low blood sugar, the adrenal glands jump into action, raising levels through adrenaline. Chronic instability may involve adrenocortical hormones, aggravating factors in type II diabetes.

German New Medicine (GNM)

Adrenal Cortex (Off Track)

Conflict: Feeling like you've made a wrong choice or gone down the wrong path.

Under-Functioning: Waterhouse-Friedrichsen syndrome, adrenal gland insufficiency, Addison's disease. Reduced cortisol production, feeling stressed and tired.

Over-Functioning: Excess cortisol (Cushing's disease) with high blood pressure, round face, obesity, muscle atrophy or aldosterone (Conn's syndrome) with high blood pressure, low potassium, weak muscles, thirst, frequent urination.

Adrenal Medulla (Unbearable Stress)

Conflict: Extreme tension from stress, feeling overwhelmed. Something is beyond reach.

Diagnosis: Pheochromocytoma, neuroblastoma. High blood pressure, racing heart, increased blood sugar, sweating.

Astrology

Mars: This planet governs adrenaline, testosterone, male sexual function, playing a role in the catabolic metabolism where fuel is burned. It also oversees the release of toxins, the regulation of red blood cells, iron, and muscle tissue, including tendons and ligaments. It extends to the entire muscular system, embodying vitality and physical strength. The energy of Mars is hot and dry so it's temperament is Choleric. Mars co-rules the adrenals (with Aries/Libra) and the male genitalia (Scorpio).

Aries: Aries is a Choleric sign, and its will to action makes it prone to anger and stress, which deplete and weaken the adrenal glands. The sign is energetic, sharp-eyed, cheerful, and alert, but may become irritable and have a restless tendency to keep going until burnout. This can lead to eyestrain and poor vision as the health of the eyes is dependent on the strength of the adrenals. The preference for stimulants like chili pepper, caffeine, and their attraction to the Sun can overstimulate the adrenal glands, leading them to seek cooling substances like icy drinks, fruits, and seafood.

Libra: Libra, the Sanguine Air sign that rules the kidneys and lower back, is a counterbalance to Aries. The kidneys and genitourinary tract are only as strong and healthy as the adrenal glands, which are their energetic support. Underlying adrenal weakness and exhaustion weakens the kidneys and genitourinary system, leading to urinary debility, urinary tract infections, inflammation or irritation, uremia, and gout. Since male sexual function is also dependent on the strength and health of the adrenal glands, problems may arise in this area.

Aries-Libra Dynamic: Kidneys, adrenals, eyes, head and cranium, low back, lumbar spine, bladder, genitourinary system (especially male), hips and loins. Aries represents personal power, autonomy, honesty, and decisiveness, often leaning towards individualism and assertiveness. Libra, on the other hand, emphasizes cooperation, diplomacy, compromise, and social harmony. While Aries is direct and often acts alone, Libra seeks mutual choice and operates through consensus. This represents a struggle between competition and cooperation, selfhood and partnership, war and peace, doing and being. Finding balance is needed for acid/alkaline balance, as Aries tends to run acidic, and for hormonal balance, where Aries tends toward excess testosterone. The tension between these two forces may cause a lot of frustration and aggravation, particularly in males, manifesting as irritation or inflammation of the genitourinary tract.

Healing and Relief

Diet: Paleo; reduce caffeine, sugars and sweeteners, gluten, starch, white flour, processed foods, and hydrogenated oils.

Nutritional Supplements: Ionic Magnesium, B Vitamins, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Vitamin C, Zinc, Probiotics, L-Theanine

Herbal Adaptogens: Ashwagandha, Rhodiola Rosea, Holy Basil, Licorice Root, Siberian Ginseng, He Shou Wu

Lifestyle Considerations: Address societal pressure to perform, lack of self-care, and the conflict in real life. Regular exercise of varied intensity. Practice meditation, mindfulness, Tai Chi, Qigong. Express creatively and spend time in nature. Align sleep schedule with circadian rhythm to nourish yin. Hydrate more and add salt to water. Avoid various toxins like dioxin or insecticides which contribute to adrenal malfunction. Spend more time in the sun each day. Don't sit for too long. Try wearing a haramaki, stretch cotton (for summer) or stretch wool (for winter).

These are research notes from the work of Daniel Keown, Michel Odoul, Michael Tierra, Lesley Tierra, Johan Boshwinkel, David Osborn, Judith Hill, Eileen Nauman, Björn Eybl, Caroline Markolin, Deb Shapiro, and Jody Smith.

[angiepants]

reminder that "adrenal fatigue" isn't real

[x22817]

Herz got to have her new comfy bed to lay on at my endocrinologist appointment today!

I think the appointment went really well. We discussed the vertigo issues that have been re-emerging along with the joint pain. She wants me to slow down on my taper, so I'm going to stay at this dose for a couple of months. I need to keep my patience hat on and not rush into anything. I'm so used to pushing through feeling bad that I am rushing taper, thus not giving my body the time it needs to adjust.

We're doing a LOT of bloodwork: full thyroid panel, adrenals, testosterone (no point in doing estrogen since my menstrual cycle is regular for the first time in my life), vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, and DHEA

I LOVE not producing hormones *sarcasm*

Having a doctor who actually listens to me and is willing to work with me is such a game changer.

[icequeen1371]

Just because I���m in clean clothes, showered & my house is tidy, doesn’t mean I’m fine & couldn’t possibly be disabled. It means I saved up a few days worth of energy to get all that done & am wiped out for another 3-5 days. But sure, I’m not disabled.

[a-dux]

Does anyone have tips for how to make hair loss less annoying. Not to stop it, just to make to make my hair getting on everything less annoying. Are their hairstyles that can help so at least I won't be having a bunch of strands falling out onto my clothes in the middle of the day? Are there ways to make wet hair clumping on my hands in the shower less bothersome? Anything else?

[lelibug]

(via EXHAUSTED)

It’s the Same Thing, Every Day, now. Sheer Exhaustion, Hyper-Anxiety, BlackOuts & ZoneOuts, one of my parents – or both – creating Immense Panic Attacks that sometimes, often, rise towards Meltdowns from the levels of Distress they cause and how I am [not] helped out of them.

TOO MANY BLACKOUTS/SEIZURE THINGIES…. THEN NIGHTMARES ALL NIGHT AGAIN…   THERE IS NO REST TO BE HAD – – BECAUSE “SLEEP” ISN’T “SLEEP”…

I can’t even Eat Properly… I’m just living on basic “finger food” type dinner and that’s it. I honestly do not get to have anything else… Anything else has me Zoning Out or in Full BlackOut — Very Very Quickly…

READ ON…

[patientsmedical]

Adrenal Exhaustion: How Lifestyle Changes Can Help

Adrenal exhaustion, also known as adrenal fatigue, is a condition where your adrenal glands are overworked and unable to function properly. It is a result of prolonged stress, which can lead to a range of physical and mental symptoms. In this article, we will discuss how lifestyle changes can help to manage and alleviate the symptoms of adrenal exhaustion.

What are the Symptoms of Adrenal Exhaustion? The symptoms of adrenal exhaustion can vary from person to person, but some common signs include fatigue, trouble sleeping, brain fog, difficulty concentrating, and weight gain. Additionally, people may experience increased anxiety, depression, and irritability.

Causes of Adrenal Exhaustion Adrenal exhaustion can be caused by prolonged stress, poor diet, lack of sleep, and other lifestyle factors. It is often associated with high-pressure jobs, financial stress, and relationship problems. In some cases, medical conditions such as autoimmune diseases can also contribute to adrenal exhaustion.

The Role of Cortisol Cortisol is a hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands. It plays an important role in regulating your body's response to stress. When cortisol levels are consistently high, it can lead to adrenal exhaustion. This is because the adrenal glands become overworked and are unable to produce enough cortisol to meet the body's demands.

How Lifestyle Changes Can Help Making lifestyle changes can help to manage and alleviate the symptoms of adrenal exhaustion. Here are some tips:

Reduce Stress Reducing stress is one of the most important things you can do to manage adrenal exhaustion. This can include practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises. It can also involve setting boundaries, delegating tasks, and taking time off work when needed.

Get Enough Sleep Getting enough sleep is crucial for managing adrenal exhaustion. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night, and establish a regular sleep routine. This can involve avoiding screens before bed, keeping your bedroom cool and dark, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bedtime.

Eat a Balanced Diet Eating a balanced diet is important for managing adrenal exhaustion. This can involve reducing your intake of processed foods, sugar, and caffeine, and increasing your intake of nutrient-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Additionally, it can be helpful to eat small, frequent meals throughout the day to help stabilize blood sugar levels.

Exercise Regularly Regular exercise can help to alleviate the symptoms of adrenal exhaustion. This can involve engaging in moderate exercise such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling for at least 30 minutes each day. Additionally, incorporating strength training and stretching exercises can help to build muscle and improve flexibility.

Conclusion Adrenal Exhaustion in Manhattan, NYC can be a debilitating condition, but lifestyle changes can help to manage and alleviate the symptoms. By reducing stress, getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and exercising regularly, you can improve your overall health and well-being. If you are experiencing symptoms of adrenal exhaustion, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of treatment.

FAQs Question: Can adrenal exhaustion be cured? Ans: Adrenal exhaustion can be managed and alleviated through lifestyle changes, but there is no cure for the condition.

Question: How long does it take to recover from adrenal exhaustion? Ans: Recovery time can vary depending on the severity of the condition and the individual's response to treatment. It can take several months to a year or more to fully recover from adrenal exhaustion.

Question: Is adrenal exhaustion a recognized medical condition? Ans: Adrenal exhaustion is not recognized as a medical condition by mainstream medicine, but many alternative and complementary practitioners consider it a real condition.

[eatclean-bewhole]

I love coffee too, but hear me out….

Beyond the mentioned cortisol elevation and stress on the adrenals, caffeine first thing in the morning can also stress the gut. Especially for those that already experience gut issues. Instead, reach for green tea or warm lemon water (which helps balance the gut's pH), and hold off on the caffeine for a couple hours after waking. By waiting, you avoid the energy crash in the afternoon (when you need energy the most) and instead, will have a consistent flow of energy throughout the day. By not drinking caffeine immediately upon waking, you improve energy, gut health, and mental health.

#health #healthtips #caffeine #coffee #energy #naturalenergy #guthealth #cortisol #breakfast #adrenals #metabolism #thyroid #thyroidhealth #hormonebalance #hormones #stressmanagement #water #drinkwater #healthy #healthylifestyle #lifestyle #healthyhabits #mindbody #nutrition #diet #nutritionist #healthcoach

[innervitality2025]

Boost Your Vitality: The Elite Adrenal Treatment at IV Health Services

For individuals experiencing significant pain and inflammation, Ketorolac, a prescription-strength anti-inflammatory and pain reducer, can be added to the IV treatment. This can provide much-needed relief from the physical discomforts associated with adrenal fatigue. Dexamethasone, another add-on, is effective in allergy relief, inflammation reduction, and migraine control. These benefits can be particularly helpful for those whose adrenal fatigue symptoms include frequent headaches and allergic reactions, which are often exacerbated by stress.

NAD+ is an add-on that has gained attention for its multiple benefits. It is tied to improved metabolism and can boost brain regeneration, providing a kick of serotonin to improve mood and decrease symptoms of stress. This addition can be particularly beneficial for those experiencing the cognitive and emotional symptoms of adrenal fatigue, such as brain fog and depression. Taurine, an essential amino acid, helps maintain electrolytes commonly depleted during dehydration. It also offers benefits like inflammation control and a stronger immune system, making it a valuable addition to the treatment regimen.

Adrenal Treatment

[shamanichealingwithrose]

Adrenal Fatigue

In this post, I will explain how I recovered from severe adrenal fatigue due to low thyroid function using natural methods. Are you tired all the time? Do you struggle to get out of Bed? Do you automatically reach for a caffeine hit to get you through the day? Contrary to popular belief, drinking coffee, black tea, and cola drinks doesn’t give you energy; it simply appears to energise you by…

[discoverybody]

How to Naturally Reverse Adrenal Fatigue

Adrenal exhaustion is a syndrome in which the adrenal glands are overworked and unable to release enough hormones to regulate stress. Symptoms of adrenal exhaustion include chronic fatigue, difficulty getting out of bed, repeated infections, low blood pressure, and a salt desire. Chronic stress, a poor diet, insufficient sleep, and excessive coffee and sugar consumption are all risk factors for adrenal exhaustion.

Stress is a primary contributor to the development of adrenal fatigue, as persistent high levels of stress can result in adrenal depletion. To naturally reverse adrenal fatigue, stress should be managed and reduced using relaxation techniques including deep breathing, meditation, and yoga.

[xtruss]

A computer illustration showing the internal and external anatomy of a kidney and adrenal gland as it secretes hormones into the blood stream. Cortisol plays a Critical Role in your body, Regulating Metabolism, Sleep, Immune Function, Inflammation, and your response to Stress. This illustration depicts the Adrenal Cortex (gold), located above each Kidney, as it Secretes Cortisol and other Hormones into the Bloodstream. Illustration By Axel Kock, Science Photo Library

What Is Cortisol—And Should You Actually Be Worried About It?

Myths About Cortisol—Also Known as the “Stress Hormone”—Abound on Social Media. Here’s What Experts Say About This Substance That Helps Make Your Body Tick.

— By Erin Blakemore | March 01, 2024

How are your cortisol levels today? A few minutes on the internet might leave you convinced that your body is depleted of—or flooded with—the hormone.

Known colloquially as “the stress hormone,” cortisol plays a starring role in most of the physiological processes that make your body tick. But in recent years, it has become a victim of its own fame, with people blaming suspected imbalances of the hormone for ailments such as “adrenal fatigue,” weight gain, exhaustion, anxiety, headaches, and more.

Cortisol does play a vital role in your health. But are imbalanced cortisol levels really that common? Here’s what to know about the critical hormone—and why it may not merit as much worry as some social media health gurus would have you think.

A Physical Powerhouse

Secreted by the adrenal glands atop the kidneys, cortisol, known as a steroid hormone, can be found in nearly every tissue of the body.

“Honestly, we cannot do without it,” says Anat Ben-Shlomo, an endocrinologist and associate professor of medicine at Cedars-Sinai.

Cortisol allows the body to regulate everything from metabolism to sleep to immune function and inflammation, but it’s arguably best known for helping the body respond to perceived threats, a role that’s earned it the nickname of the “stress hormone.”

When the body perceives an internal or external threat, its sympathetic nervous system activates, triggering a complex sequence of hormonal responses. One such response is to prompt the adrenal glands to release cortisol, which helps give the body the energy it needs to cope with the stress and get back to homeostasis.

Too Much—or Little—of a Good Thing?

There is such thing as too much or too little cortisol.

Tumors in the pituitary gland can trigger too-high cortisol levels, leading to a condition called Cushing’s syndrome, characterized by weight gain, weakness, blood sugar problems, and bruising.

Meanwhile those whose immune systems attack their adrenal glands don’t produce enough cortisol and can develop chronic adrenal insufficiency, also known as Addison’s disease, which can cause crushing fatigue, dizziness, skin darkening, loss of appetite, and other symptoms.

“The diseases that are associated with cortisol deficiency or excess are very complicated, multiorganic, multisystemic diseases,” says Ben-Shlomo. They can be tricky to treat—and because cortisol issues share symptoms with other diseases, misdiagnosis is common.

But even though experts suspect these conditions are underdiagnosed, both are considered rare disorders.

The Myth of ‘Adrenal Fatigue’

Despite the rarity of cortisol disorders, internet health gurus and alternative health practitioners claim that with sustained stress, the adrenal glands can burn out and become unable to produce cortisol, leading to a cascade of symptoms commonly called “adrenal fatigue.”

But the term is a myth, Ben-Shlomo says, and a 2016 literature review of studies suggests the condition doesn’t really exist.

“It really takes a pretty big insult for your adrenal glands not to work,” Anne Cappola, professor of endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, told National Geographic in July 2023. “These glands have a lot of built-in redundancy. You have two adrenal glands. You need less than one to function.”

Though serious endocrine disorders do exist, researchers warn against attempting to “balance” hormones at home or self-prescribing supplements—most of which are unproven and unregulated—to stave off cortisol deficiency or excess.

If your symptoms are affecting your quality of life, head to a doctor for more information. Endocrinologists can rule out adrenal problems and often identify other conditions, such as perimenopause and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), that share symptoms with adrenal issues.

“The beauty of the adrenal glands is that they have a huge capacity to give you what you need to survive and withstand stress,” says Ben-Shlomo.

Fighting Back Against Chronic Stress

Stress may not burn out your adrenals or deplete your body’s cortisol reserves. But its effects are real, and supported by a vast body of literature that underlines the association between high stress levels and compromised health.

For example, those with multiple adverse childhood experiences are prone to a variety of health conditions, from mood disorders to obesity and stroke. Stress can trigger or worsen a slew of other conditions, compromising a variety of bodily systems and leading one group of researchers to write in 2017 that “the medical community needs to have a greater appreciation for the significant role that stress may play in various diseases.”

You may not be able to fend off a growing tumor or an autoimmune disorder. But you can modify your experience of stress through a variety of lifestyle modifications. Ben-Shlomo and colleagues stress regular exercise, a healthful diet, meditation or mindfulness, and enough sleep—factors that can treat or even prevent a variety of the conditions some people can mistake for an issue with cortisol production. After all, acute stress may have its evolutionary benefits but most of us would prefer not to experience it.

“Stress is a bad thing,” the physician says. “That’s been proven beyond any doubt.”

— Editor's Note: This story has been updated to clarify the distinction between acute stress and chronic stress.

[dhyzenmedia]

Burning The Candle At Both Ends

[zeptorg]

I has the sleepies

[iranajian]

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It's the only way to live fulfilled and enjoy life in the present moment.

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