Adrenal fatigue is a common yet highly under-diagnosed syndrome caused by chronic overwork, stress and/or lack of sleep. It manifests itself in a variety of symptoms including: extreme fatigue, nervousness, anxiety, depression, mid-section weight gain, digestive problems, chronic infections, sleep issues, and more.
Your adrenal glands (adrenals), also known as suprarenal glands, are two thumb size organs that sit above your kidneys. They are part of the endocrine system and help produce over 50 essential hormones in your body. Your adrenal glands are also responsible for balancing certain hormones, such as glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, estrogen, testosterone, and epinephrine, to name a few.
How do you know if you have adrenal fatigue? Good question, let’s take a look.
Adrenal Fatigue Symptoms:
Decreased sex drive/libido
Moodiness and irritability
Depression
Muscle or bone loss
Autoimmune conditions
Chronic fatigue
Brain fog
Hair loss
Hormone imbalance
Body aches
Unexplained weight loss
Low blood pressure
Lightheadedness
Skin discoloration (hyperpigmentation)
Weakened stress response
Insulin resistance
Lightheadedness
Sleep problems
Weight gain
Sweet and salty food cravings
Difficulty getting up in the morning
Increased PMS or menopausal symptoms
Inability to handle stress
Increased allergies
Frequent sighing
Cravings for salty foods
Higher energy levels in the evenings
Overuse of stimulants like caffeine
Low blood pressure
Ways to Overcome Adrenal Fatigue:
Diet Changes
Avoid caffeine, sugars and sweeteners, gluten, starch, white flour, processed foods, and hydrogenated oils.
Increase coconut, olives, avocado, cruciferous vegetables, wild caught fatty fish (e.g., salmon), free-range poultry, bone broth, walnuts, almonds, pumpkin, chia and flax seeds, kelp, Himalayan sea salt, chaga and cordyceps mushrooms, and more green leafy veggies.
Lifestyle Changes
Drink filtered water
Take adrenal supplements, like Ashwagandha
Get proper rest
Laugh more
Reduce stress
Increase Zinc, B Vitamins and Magnesium intake
Exercise more
Spend time outside in the sun each day
Do more things that you enjoy
Eliminate negativity from your life
How can Traditional Chinese Medicine Help Treat Adrenal Fatigue?
In Chinese medicine, adrenal fatigue is associated with imbalance of the kidneys. Acupuncture treatments can help promote healthy levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. It can also stimulate your “happy hormones,” serotonin and dopamine. The result is relaxing, stress relief, and overall sense of wellbeing.
Another important way that Chinese medicine treats adrenal fatigue is to reduce your intake of cold (i.e. ice cream and other frozen foods, iced drinks), raw foods and antibiotics, as these foods inhibit your body’s warming function, causing a negative affect.
Finally, over the course of treatment, custom Chinese herbs can be a tremendous aid in treating adrenal fatigue. Chinese herbs work to boost your immune system, and treat the underlying issues associated with adrenal fatigue. Custom Chinese herbs are one of the most successful forms of treatment for adrenal fatigue.
We provide our patients with adrenal testing to evaluate and diagnose adrenal fatigue as well as offer custom treatment programs to recover. If you feel that you might be suffering with adrenal fatigue, or you have been diagnosed and have not found success in treating it, call our office to schedule your health evaluation today!