Feeling tired for no reason? Craving coffee, soda, and junk food just to keep going? Feeling stressed and struggling to keep up with all your daily demands? Are symptoms of depression going up while your sex drive takes a nose dive? Adrenal fatigue is the notion that our adrenal glands get overworked by stress and stop producing the hormones we need, including cortisol. Adrenal fatigue is the notion that our adrenal glands get overworked by stress and stop producing the hormones we need, including cortisol.

Adrenal Fatigue Is Real

Multiple peer reviewed studies have been done on adrenal fatigue diagnosis and remains a trendy topic online and in alternative medicine circles. It started with a book published in 2001. The condition was soon accepted by several medical societies.

“Stress can have an impact on our health, and effect your adrenals glands. When you’re stressed, the adrenal glands actually produce more of the cortisol and other hormones you need.

Symptoms of adrenal fatigue include:

• Feeling tired and fatigued every day
• Difficulty waking up in the morning
• Difficulty handling stress
• Craving salty food or sweets
• Higher levels of energy in the evening
• Consuming too many stimulants, like caffeine
• A weak immune system

If the symptoms above sound familiar, here are some tips:

• Nurture your mental health. We all experience big life changes at some point, as well as daily pressures. Having routines to manage that stress is useful when something happens to increase stress.
• Don’t ignore a serious condition. Medical conditions like depression and anxiety can affect mood and energy levels. They can cause some of the symptoms frequently associated with adrenal fatigue and should be addressed by a medical professional.
• Manage your blood sugar. Blood sugar that is too high or two low could be the culprit behind some of these symptoms. Have your doctor check your blood sugar levels and work with you to help keep them balanced.
• Don’t forget sleep hygiene. Getting enough sleep is crucial to our health. Maintaining a regular sleep routine, limiting caffeine, and exercising regularly are all promote healthy sleep. Use your bed only for sleep, and don’t stay awake in bed for more than a few minutes. Reduce stimuli (like internet and TV use) near bedtime.

Adrenal insufficiency

Note that adrenal fatigue should not be confused with chronic adrenal insufficiency, a verified medical problem. In addition to fatigue, that condition is marked by weight loss, joint pain, vomiting, anorexia, nausea, diarrhea, low blood pressure, and dry skin.

To diagnose it, doctors use a blood test that measures cortisol levels. If the initial test warrants it, a second test is ordered. Here, doctors inject a synthetic compound that mimics a hormone made by the pituitary gland. After 30 minutes, the cortisol levels are measured again. This is the only testing method in the US that accurately diagnoses adrenal insufficiency.