Adrenal fatigue

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Adrenal fatigue
Alternative medicine
Adrenal gland in relation to the kidney
Claims Exhaustion of adrenal glands leads to reduced cortisol production and symptoms like fatigue

Adrenal fatigue or hypoadrenia are terms used in alternative medicine to describe the belief that the adrenal glands, as a result of exposure to chronic or excessive physical or emotional stress, are exhausted and unable to produce adequate quantities of hormones, primarily the glucocorticoid cortisol. Adrenal fatigue should not be confused with adrenal insufficiency or Addison's Disease, the latter of which constitutes a complete failure of the adrenal glands.[1][2][3]

The term "adrenal fatigue" was coined in 1998 by Dr. James Wilson, who treated hundreds of adrenal fatigue patients during his 24+ year private practice[4] and authored Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome. While allopathic medicine does not recognize adrenal fatigue as a medical condition, the diagnosis has much greater acceptance among practitioners of naturopathy, Integrative medicine and functional medicine.

Symptoms

Symptoms of adrenal fatigue very greatly; sufferers frequently report severe fatigue, energy crashes, anxiety and panic attacks, insomnia, heart palpitations, hypoglycemia, cravings for salt, low libido, experiencing miscarriages during the first trimester and irregular menstrual cycles.

Dr. Michael Lam, a nutritionist specializing in adrenal fatigue recovery and author of Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome, published a list of 75 symptoms of adrenal fatigue, explaining that people suffering from a large number of these symptoms should be alerted that adrenal dysfunction may be causing many of these symptoms. [5]

Treatment

Blood or salivary testing is sometimes offered but there is no evidence that adrenal fatigue exists or can be tested.[1] The concept of adrenal fatigue has given rise to an industry of dietary supplements marketed to treat this condition. These supplements are largely unregulated in the U.S. and in some cases may be dangerous.[1]

See also

References

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  4. Wilson, James. (2001). Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome. Petaluma, California. Smart Publications. Page X.
  5. | "75 Signs And Symptoms Of Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome." DrLamCoaching.com. Accessed March 5, 2021.

External links