Medical Treatment for Adrenal Fatigue
Adrenal glands are an important part of your body. They are, “small, triangular-shaped endocrine glands, situated on the top of the kidneys. These glands regulate body’s stress response through the synthesis of catecholmines and corticosteroids, including adrenaline and cortisol.
Stress is usually the reason behind adrenal fatigue. Excessive stress may be due to work pressure, moving, change in job, death of a beloved one, marital problems and physical illness. Some other factors that contribute to adrenal stress are fear, anger, guilt, depression, anxiety, excessive exercise, physical or mental strain, sleep deprivation, trauma/injury, surgery, toxic exposure, chronic pain, chronic infection, maldigestion, malabsorption, chronic illness, low blood sugar and nutritional deficiencies.
Adrenal Fatigue is a condition that was first described in medical texts in the 1800’s. However, over most of the last one hundred years, doctors argued as to whether it was a legitimate medical condition or not. The main stumbling block to the recognition of Adrenal Fatigue as a scientifically valid medical condition was that science had yet to determine a way to test for its existence.
There are so many symptoms for adrenal fatigue. For instance, it causes weight gain, and an inability to lose the weight. There is also “High frequency of getting the flu and other respiratory diseases that tends to resist treatments” and “Experiencing upper back or neck pain with no apparent cause.” Next, there is reduced sex drive. There is also the difficulty in waking up in the mornings. Also forgetfulness is another symptom of adrenal fatigue.
There are more symptoms: there is the feeling of being lethargic in the evenings and still being unable to sleep. Furthermore, there are “cravings for salty, fatty, and high protein foods such as meat and cheese,” and an increase of PMS symptoms for women. It does not stop there. The “periods are heavy and then stop, only to start flow again a couple days later.
Proponents of the adrenal fatigue diagnosis claim this is a mild form of adrenal insufficiency caused by chronic stress. The unproven theory behind adrenal fatigue is that your adrenal glands are unable to keep pace with the demands of perpetual fight-or-flight arousal.
Take your blood pressure while sitting down. Then, stand up and immediately take your blood pressure again. Your systolic (first) number should have raised 8 to 10 mm. If it dropped, you probably have adrenal fatigue. Pupil dilation exam — (Equipment required: Flashlight and a mirror) Look into the mirror and shine the flashlight into the pupil of one eye. It should contract. If after 30 seconds, it stays the same or, even worse, dilates, you most likely have adrenal fatigue. Pain when pressing on adrenal glands (located over kidneys).
