Adrenal Fatigue
Are you constantly tired? Do you feel like everything is a chore? Do you get irritated/bothered easily by others? Do you feel tired even after long hours of sleep? Have you been using caffeine and/or any other stimulant to make it through the day? Do you get sick often? Do you find yourself craving specific foods, like sugary or salty food? If you answered yes to these questions, then you should read below.
Adrenal fatigue is a combination of symptoms that happen whenever there is an adrenal gland dysfunction. When this happens, the adrenal glands are working below optimal levels and depending on the severity of the dysfunction, symptom presentation will vary from patient to patient. This dysfunction is associated with high levels of intense and/or prolonged stress, acute or chronic illness, injury, poor diet and lifestyle, among others.
Adrenal dysfunction presents with multiple symptoms that can range from extreme fatigue, cravings for salty or sugary food, higher energy in the evening, anxiety, depression, dizziness, insomnia, inability to handle stressful situations, dry skin, low blood pressure, low blood glucose, weight gain, poor circulation, respiratory complaints to low libido, among others.
Unfortunately, conventional medicine does not recognize adrenal fatigue as a diagnosis and instead it is usually labeled as depression, fibromyalgia, anxiety, etc., making it detrimental for patients’ health because many will go untreated for a very long time until someone recognizes the actual problem and addresses it. We, alternative doctors, know that adrenal fatigue is not a “made up” concept; it is a real dysfunction that needs to be addressed because it is the root problem of many ailments. These glands are responsible for the production of multiple hormones that are essential for body function and whenever a dysfunction is present, there’s going to be an imbalance and dysfunction of the whole system.
Adrenal fatigue is more common than you think and we can do a lot to help. There are tests that can be done to determine the status of the adrenals and multiple treatment options. The goal is to get them working at an optimal level and treatment will vary per patient because we treat the person and not the symptoms. Remember to always consult your healthcare provider before taking any supplements to determine what’s needed in your situation.
Dr. Yarilis Vazquez, ND
Naturopathic Doctor- Sophia Natural Health