Adrenal fatigue is a controversial syndrome resulting from impaired function of the adrenal glands, with symptoms including decreased energy, anxiety, and muscle pain. Alternative medicine practitioners recommend stress management, sleep, exercise, and a healthy diet for recovery. Mainstream medicine does not recognize it as a valid condition.
Adrenal fatigue, also called adrenal exhaustion or hypoadrenia, is a controversial disease resulting from impaired function of the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands sit just above the kidneys and secrete hormones that control stress and energy, among other bodily functions. In general, mainstream medicine does not currently recognize it as a valid condition, even though individual doctors could make such a diagnosis. Adrenal fatigue is a syndrome, which means it consists of a set of symptoms, each of which may or may not affect a particular patient.
Symptoms of adrenal fatigue can include decreased energy and ability to handle stress, allergies, anxiety, fatigue, depression, obesity, muscle and joint pain, carbohydrate cravings, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Those who believe that adrenal fatigue is a real condition theorize that it results from chronic stress in everyday life that causes the adrenal glands to work overtime, eventually leading to decreased function. Detractors say the alleged symptoms are vague and that a high level of daily stress is unlikely to affect the adrenal glands in this way.
Alternative medicine practitioners believe that those suffering from this type of fatigue can make a full recovery with treatment and stress management. Removing everything life stresses you can is considered the most important step towards recovery. Getting more sleep at night, up to ten hours if possible, also allows the adrenal glands to recover. Melatonin should be used for those who have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. A person suffering from adrenal fatigue should increase exercise and reduce caffeine consumption and the time spent watching television or using a computer each day. If you’re feeling excessively stressed and exhausted, all of the above is good advice whether or not you believe this condition is real.
Eating a healthy diet, eating meals at regular times and early in the day, and taking nutritional supplements to ensure you’re getting a balance of vitamins and minerals are also important in managing the condition. In extreme cases, natural hydrocortisone supplements may be prescribed by a health professional. The guidelines for treating this condition have helped many people who have had limited or no success seek relief from traditional medicine. This article is not intended to replace medical advice or diagnostic guidance, so if you feel stress is having a negative effect on your health or you may be suffering from adrenal fatigue, discuss your symptoms with your doctor.
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