Adrenal Fatigue: A Generally Unrecognized But Pervasive Syndrome

Original Internist, Dec, 2001 by James L. Wilson

Low adrenal function can also negatively affect mental states, producing anxiety, depression, decreased tolerance, heightened frustration levels, a tendency toward increased fears and apprehensions, intervals of confusion, increased difficulties in concentrating, and less accurate memory recall. When the adrenals are not secreting the proper amount of hormones, insomnia is also a likely outcome.

If doctors were to suspect and pursue adrenal fatigue as the basis of their patients' complaints soon after its onset, it is likely these more serious conditions could be avoided. Adrenal fatigue syndrome is fully recognizable and treatable with the use of safe natural substances along with dietary and lifestyle changes that decrease the stress load. In some cases, it is totally preventable.

Who Suffers from Adrenal Fatigue?

Anyone who does not get enough rest and relaxation to enjoy life, who drives him/herself constantly, who is never satisfied or is a perfectionist, who is under constant pressure (especially with few outlets for emotional release), who feels trapped or helpless, who feels overwhelmed by repeated or continuous difficulties, or who has experienced severe or chronic emotional or physical trauma or illness is probably already suffering from some degree of adrenal fatigue. People from every walk of life, every culture, and every age can suffer from adrenal fatigue. The political leader, the university student, the environmentalist, the farmer, the villager in a war-torn country, the Hollywood director, the factory worker on a swing shift, the over-extended physician, and the teenage mother on welfare all have the factors in their lives that can lead to adrenal dysfunction, even though they have very different life-styles.

The cost of adrenal fatigue is enormous in the loss of productive hours, creative ideas, sound business decisions, and other intangibles, such as happiness. Some professions are harder on the adrenal glands than others. If you look at actuarial tables for mortality rates, drug abuse, and number of sick days for different professionals, what you are seeing, barring physically dangerous jobs, is the amount of adrenal fatigue experienced in those jobs.

Signs and Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue

Below is a list, excerpted from my book, Adrenal Fatigue, The 21st Century Stress Syndrome, of some of the most common symptoms of low adrenal function.' Read through them, and I am sure you will recognize many of your patients or acquaintances.

* Continued fatigue not relieved by sleep: Despite a good night's sleep, you still get tired when you wake up. Refreshed is a foreign word to people with adrenal fatigue.

* Craving for salt or salty foods: You find yourself eating the whole bag of chips or adding extra salt to foods.

* Lethargy: Everything seems like a chore, even the things you used to enjoy.

* Easily fatigued: Everything takes more effort. Walking a block sometimes feels like a marathon.

* Decreased sex drive: The hottest movie star could be waiting in your bedroom, and you would ask for a rain check. Sex is often the last thing on your mind when you hardly have the energy to keep your head up.