Adrenal Fatigue
Do you battle to wake up in the morning and have a vital day?
Do you battle to stay happy?
Read the following quote from Adrenal Fatigue by James Wilson, ND, DC, PHD
For over 20 years in my practice I have witnessed the impact of helping people recover from adrenal fatigue, not just in terms of their health, but also their ability to stay happy. Happiness may be a choice, as far as popular thinking goes, but for those whose adrenal glands are running on empty, this choice almost seems out of reach.
This is so true. I have seen it time and time again with my patients. They start with one cup of coffee to get going in the morning, then some sugar to keep going, in afternoon, and before long they are living on refined carbs, sugar, and coffee. The body has no fuel to regenerate. Add to that consistent stress, and most of us are in some state of adrenal fatigue.
Dr James Wilson does a great job at explaining adrenal fatigue: Adrenal Fatigue is any decrease in the ability of the adrenal glands to carry out their normal functions. This happens when your body is overwhelmed, when stress overextends the capacity of your body to compensate and fully recover. Consequently, the adrenal glands become fatigued and are unable to continue responding adequately to further stress. Adrenal Fatigue is a collection of signs and symptoms, known as a "syndrome" that results when the adrenal glands function below the necessary level. Most commonly associated with intense or prolonged stress, it can also arise during or after acute or chronic infections, especially respiratory infections such as influenza, bronchitis or pneumonia. Many factors can reduce adrenal function, and it is often an accumulation of such triggers over a period of time which are responsible for the syndrome known as adrenal fatigue. As the name suggests, the paramount symptom is fatigue that is not relieved by sleep but it is not a readily identifiable or diagnosable entity like a low iron count or Vitamin B12 in the blood, which is typically viewed by the medical profession as the cardinal sign of fatigue.
The major lifestyle components leading to adrenal fatigue are below, are any of them true for you?
Lack of sleep
Poor food choices
Using food and drinks as stimulants when tired
Staying up late even though fatigued
Being constantly in a position of powerlessness
Constantly driving yourself
Trying to be perfect
Staying in no win situations over time
Lack of rejuvenating activities
There are many things that you can do to support your adrenals, to name a few:
First, supplementing the adrenal glands whole food nutritional supplements are key. Removing processed foods from your diet, and replacing them with whole foods. Enhancing your sleep quality. Creating balance in your mind and emotional health. Gentle exercise, when appropriate. Do not over exercise!
If you suspect this may be true for you I recommend you do the following:
1) Dr. James Wilson has included a great questionnaire in his book on adrenal fatigue and you print it out by clicking here
2) Buy the Adrenal Fatigue book by James Wilson and read thoroughly and highlight
3) Schedule and appointment with me to start working on the building blocks of good adrenal health...The 7 Pillars of Health