,5 Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue

With the complex lives we lead today, more and more people are suffering from stress-related conditions. The negative impact of stress can affect many areas of the body. One area in particular that can be adversely affected is the adrenal glands.

The adrenal glands are located near the kidneys and produce the hormones that are needed for the body to function properly. Stress adversely affects these glands because when the body is under severe stress the glands start producing more hormones to help the body cope. This is the classic ‘fight or flight’ response. The main stress hormone produced is cortisol, which regulates metabolism.

Of course, in some circumstances a stress response is needed. But when stress is experienced over a long period of time, these glands weaken. The result is adrenal fatigue. So what are the symptoms of adrenal fatigue?

5 Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue

1 Excessive, unexplained tiredness. Adrenal fatigue makes a person very tired. This is because under stress the hormone levels are elevated, making it harder to sleep. Over time, the body’s cortisol levels are affected and this leads to the body being in an almost permanent state of alertness. All of this can affect a person’s ability to fall asleep or stay asleep for the recommended 8 hours per night.

2 Cravings for salty or sugary foods. One way that adrenal fatigue affects the body is to lower the blood sugar level. When this happens, cravings for energy foods increase. Foods high in sugar are comfort foods, and stress can cause a person to increase the intake of sugar-high foods.

Adrenal fatigue can also result in cravings for salty foods. This is because the adrenal glands affect how the kidneys regulate mineral fluctuations. When we suffer from fatigue, the body releases more minerals in the urine, which can increase the desire for salty snacks.

3 Heightened energy in the evenings. An adrenal fatigue sufferer could find that she is tired all day but gets a burst of energy later in the evening. Usually cortisol reaches a peak in late morning and then reduces during the day.

4 Difficulty in handling stress. The normal body’s response to stress is to release specific hormones so that stress can be handled effectively. The three specific hormones are cortisol, adrenaline, norepinephrine. Knowing how these affect the body helps us understand the relationship to stress.

Cortisol. Gives the body extra energy to cope with the stress, it increases memory function and lowers sensitivity to pain. However, the body needs a rest period after cortisol has been released in a stress-related situation. If a person is suffering, from adrenal fatigue rarely gets to have the ‘rest period’, over time less and less cortisol is produced.

Adrenaline. Probably the most well-known stress response hormone. This gives us the initial burst of energy needed to respond to stress. Once again, adrenal fatigue will affect the amount of this hormone and therefore the response to stress is reduced.

Norepinephrine. This hormone helps the brain to focus on the stress. Without this active hormone, the response to stress could be described as lethargic.

5 More infections. Cortisol helps to regulate the immune system in the body and cortisol works as an anti-inflammatory. Too much cortisol over an extended period of time hinders the response of the immune system and this can result in an increased number of infections throughout the year. On the other hand, if the adrenal glands are so weakened that they produce too little cortisol, then the body’s response is to over-react to infections – resulting in certain autoimmune disorders.

Final Thoughts

If you are living in a perpetual state of stress, get on my calendar so we can explore ways to bring down your stress levels. We may find some simple steps you can take without major disruptions to your life that will allow you to bring your body back in balance and allow it to come back to its normal state of being.

Skip The Energy And Caffeine Drinks: 8 Natural Remedies For Fatigue

Have you been feeling exhausted or lethargic lately?

If so, you are probably experiencing fatigue. When you are fatigued, you are both physically and mentally drained. Daily tasks that were once so easy to perform can now feel like you are trying to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

There are many different reasons why fatigue may occur. Some of them include depression, lack of sleep, illness, over stimulation, and mental stress. No matter what the reason, here are a few natural remedies that can give you the energy boost you need without the crash later.

#1 – Eat a Good Breakfast

When you wake up in the morning one of the first things you should do is eat breakfast. As you have heard so many times before, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. When you eat breakfast, your energy levels get a boost. It is this boost that can help you perform your daily tasks more efficiently.

When you skip breakfast, you put yourself at risk for a variety of health problems. Even if it’s something quick, make breakfast a part of your everyday routine. Try to keep your meal around 300 calories.

#2 – Eat More Broccoli

Broccoli is a superfood that can help prevent stress and fatigue. It contains dietary fiber that can help reduce the amount of adrenal damage caused by stress and fatigue. The result is a better-controlled blood sugar level and less glucose being metabolized in the body.

Broccoli is also able to help eliminate the fat that is often found in the midriff area. Fat in the midriff area causes the hormone cortisol to increase in your body. When this happens, you gain weight. By eating broccoli, you will be able to reduce insulin resistance and improve the metabolism of blood sugar.

#3 – Get Plenty of Rest

Never underestimate the power of sleep. In order for your body and mind to function the right way, you need to get a minimum of 7 hours of sleep every single night. Having a proper sleeping pattern is a key step to preventing fatigue. When you get plenty of rest your will feel rejuvenated and ready for the day. When you don’t get enough rest, you will feel very sluggish and unable to focus.

#4 – Have a Little Lemon Balm

This perennial herb is used to treat a variety of different ailments. The chemicals it contains have a very calming effect. When you are calm your level of mental fatigue is significantly lowered. For best results mix lip balm with nettle, raspberry leaf, oat tops, ginger, and licorice. Consume this fatigue fighting mixture at least 3 times a day and you may be able to completely eliminate fatigue.

#5 – Take a Nice, Warm Salt Bath

Salt baths are great for helping you release your fatigue. Just take a little salt and add it to a tub of lukewarm water. Sit in the salt water for about 10 minutes. Allow your body to relax as the salt massages your pores. Never let your face or hair get in the salt water. Tie your hair up and submerge yourself in the water from the neck down.

# 6 – Drink a Glass of Wine

All the wine lovers out there will love this remedy. When it comes to getting rid of fatigue all you may need is a glass of wine.

Take 1 liter of your favorite red wine and mix it with the following ingredients:

25gm of sage
25gm of rosemary
2 tsps. of honey

Find a glass container and mix in the wine, rosemary, and sage.

Put the glass container in a pot of boiling hot water for 20 minutes.

Remove the container, strain the liquid, and add in the honey.

Let it cool off a bit and enjoy. It is the perfect way to end a long day.

#7 – Consume Rose Petals

Rose petals are known for their ability to help combat depression and tension. Generally speaking, both are a direct result of mental fatigue. Get 20 to 30 rose petals and mix them in a glass of water. Boil the mixture for about 15 minutes. Once it has cooled down you will need to store it in an airtight container. Have a glass up to 3 times a day and feel your fatigue melt away.

#8 – Add Spinach To Your Diet

If you have chronic fatigue, consuming spinach is one of the better natural remedies. Spinach is a nutrient-rich food. The folate it contains helps fight chronic fatigue. Spinach also provides your body with other nutrients that give it energy and ward off fatigue.

For best results, consider having spinach at least once a day. You can eat it or drink it in a smoothie or juice. Look for recipe ideas so you can avoid burn out.

#9 – Bonus Tip

Muscle test your foods and nutritional supplements before you buy. Everyone’s body chemistry and tolerance level is different, and even the best quality food or supplement available isn’t a perfect fit for everyone on the planet. You may be missing a vitamin or mineral that is available in the produce or spice section of your local grocery store. It’s always a good idea to check in with your body to see what it needs. If you don’t trust your muscle testing, or if you’d just prefer someone else do that for you, we should talk.