Adrenal Fatigue: Symptoms and Causes

The Main Symptom of Adrenal Fatigue

Loss of energy, or fatigue is the main symptom of adrenal fatigue. Thousands of people suffer from constant low energy, unrelieved by rest and sleep. When your adrenal glands become depleted, you are nearly unable to handle stress.

Recovery from adrenal fatigue is definitely possible.

Most physicians do not diagnose adrenal fatigue. Rarely, if enough tests are run, it may be called Addison's disease, which they consider incurable.

Low energy impairs every system of your body. Negative emotions buildup. The world looks bad, people are evil, and a hopeless attitude is common.

Other Common Symptoms and Consequences of Adrenal Fatigue

• Anger or Irritability
• Low body temperature
  
• Weakness
  
• Unexplained hair loss
  
• Nervousness
  
• Difficulty building muscle or gaining weight
  
• Mental depression
  
• Apprehension
  
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
  
• Inability to concentrate
  
• Excessive hunger
  
• Tendency towards inflammation
  
• Moments of confusion
  
• Indigestion
  
• Poor memory
  
• Feelings of frustration
  
• Alternating diarrhea and constipation
  
• Osteoporosis
  
• Auto-immune diseases (hepatitis)
• Allergies and multiple chemical sensitivities
• Joint and muscle pain
  
• Low blood pressure, lightheadedness (dizziness that occurs upon standing)
  
• Heart palpitations
  
• Poor resistance to infections
  
• Insomnia
  
• Food and/or inhalant allergies
  
• PMS
  
• Craving for sweets
  
• Dry and thin skin
  
• Headaches
  
• Scanty perspiration
  
• Alcohol intolerance

Depression is very common in adrenal fatigue. One may lose interest in family, friends and work. With low energy, one is unsure if they have enough energy to get through the day, and anxiety may occur. Irritability is also common, with the inability to handle minor stress. Unfortunately, many with adrenal fatigue function on anger and resentment. These act as adrenal stimulants, providing a negative energy with which to function.

Compulsiveness and Obsessive Compulsion Disorder (OCD) are associated with adrenal fatigue. One may become addicted or very attracted to excessive exercise, sex, loud music or other forms of excitement. The unconscious goal is always the same, to stimulate the adrenals into activity.

Adrenal fatigue sets the stage for the development of degenerative diseases. Cancer, heart disease, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases are end-stage results of toxin accumulation and energy depletion.

Often secondary to adrenal exhaustion are glandular imbalances, hyperthyroidism and more often hypothyroidism. The adrenal glands are the main source of estrogen and progesterone after menopause. Hot flashes and premenstrual syndrome are often due to weakened adrenal glands.

When the adrenals are weak, copper builds up in the body. Elevated copper enhances emotions. Panic attacks, bipolar disorder, mood swings and schizophrenia are related to copper imbalance. As one's energy level declines, other toxic metals build up as well. Mercury, cadmium, lead, arsenic, beryllium and others contribute to hundreds of physical and emotional symptoms.

The Main Cause of Adrenal Fatigue

The most common cause of adrenal fatigue stress. Some people use their body in "fight or flight" mode most (or all) of the time, depleting their adrenal glands. Fast-paced, high-stress, fear-based lifestyles are a sure prescription for adrenal fatigue and almost complete inability to handle stress.

External stressors will eventually deplete your adrenal glands (life challenges, financial pressures, relationship issues and unresolved emotional issues).

Internal stressors can also put pressure on your adrenals (allergies, physical disease, nutritional deficiencies, food and environmental toxins).

Other Common Causes of Adrenal Fatigue

• Anger
  
• Fear
  
• Worry/anxiety
  
• Depression
  
• Guilt
  
• Overwork (physical or mental)
  
• Excessive exercise
  
• Sleep deprivation
  
• Light-cycle disruption
  
• Going to sleep late
  
• Surgery
  
• Trauma/injury
  
• Chronic inflammation
  
• Chronic infection
  
• Chronic pain
  
• Temperature extremes
  
• Toxic exposure
  
• Malabsorption
  
• Maldigestion
  
• Chronic illness
  
• Chronic-severe allergies
  
• Hypoglycemia
  
• Nutritional deficiencies

Any excessive stress can deplete the adrenals, especially when weakened by poor nutrition. Working too much or emotional stress are two common causes.

Excessive stimulation, especially for children, is another cause. Many children today are born with weak adrenals due to their parents' nutritional deficiencies. By age three or four, these children are in fatigue. They are often sick, depressed and have difficulty in school.

Less obvious stimulants include anger, rage, arguing, hatred, loud noise or music, the news, movies full of suspense, vigorous exercise, sexual preoccupations, extreme sports, sugar, white flour, caffeine and alcohol.

Unhealthy responses to stress are another cause of adrenal fatigue. These include habits of worrying, or becoming angry or afraid. Don't worry, be happy is a great prescription for adrenal fatigue. This applies particularly to high-strung, nervous individuals and those with very active minds, as they are especially prone to adrenal fatigue.

A poor diet with various nutritional deficiencies, is very common in our fast-paced society. And when under stress, your body's need for nutrients is much greater. Excessive carbohydrates, low protein and poor water quality will stress your adrenals.

Most diets are low in nutrients required by the adrenals. These include B-complex vitamins, vitamins A, C and E, manganese, zinc, chromium, selenium and other and other trace elements. The reasons for this begin with how food is grown. Most food is grown on depleted soils. Processing and refining further deplete nutrients.

Habits like eating in the car or while on the run further diminish the value derived from food. Also, allergic reactions to foods such as wheat and dairy products can damage your intestines and reduce the absorption of nutrients.

Toxic metals and chemicals in the air, water, food and dental materials often play a large role in adrenal fatigue. Drugs, both legal and recreational also add to your toxic load.

Toxins may also be generated within the body due to impaired digestion. When food is not properly digested, it either ferments or rots in the intestines, producing many harmful substances that are absorbed into the body. In most people, the organs of elimination do not function at an optimal level. As a result, toxic substances slowly build up in the body, leading to adrenal fatigue and many other health conditions.

In addition, adrenal fatigue can be genetic, as well as from excessive electromagnetic pollution such as cell phones, power lines & transformer stations, televisions, microwave ovens, computers.