Adrenal fatigue - Restore Health Clinic

What is adrenal fatigue?

Adrenal fatigue is a term used to describe a collection of nonspecific symptoms such as body aches, fatigue, nervousness, sleep disturbances, and digestive issues. It is thought to occur when the adrenal glands become overtaxed and unable to produce adequate levels of hormones like cortisol to meet the body's needs.

Key aspects of adrenal fatigue include:

• It is not an officially recognized medical diagnosis, but rather a controversial concept put forth in alternative medicine circles. Mainstream medicine does not accept adrenal fatigue as a real condition with proven underlying causes.
• Symptoms are vague and overlap with many other conditions like depression, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome. They may include tiredness, cravings for salty foods, having trouble getting up in the morning, and relying on caffeinated drinks as an energy boost.
• Potential causes are said to include high amounts of emotional, physical or psychological stress over long periods of time. Things like stressful jobs, financial problems, relationship issues, infections, poor diet, and sleep deprivation may drain the adrenals over time.
• Treatment involves removing burdens on the adrenals to give them time to recover. Steps include getting enough restful sleep, reducing stress, eating a balanced nutritious diet, taking supplements like B vitamins and vitamin C, and supporting overall health through exercise and lifestyle factors.

Frequently asked questions:

Is adrenal fatigue a real medical condition?

No, adrenal fatigue is not an accepted medical diagnosis. Mainstream doctors argue there is insufficient scientific evidence that adrenal burnout exists. Supporters believe more research is still needed.

What causes adrenal fatigue?

Proponents argue that extreme or chronic stress may prevent proper adrenal gland functioning, reducing hormone levels. However, an underlying adrenal issue has not been proven.

How is adrenal fatigue treated?

Lifestyle changes to decrease stress along with resting, proper nutrition and reducing stimulant use are suggested to help support adrenal recovery. Care should be taken not to overtreat, as adrenal insufficiency requires medical management.

Overall, while some people may experience unexplained symptoms like lasting fatigue, body aches or disordered sleep, adrenal fatigue remains a controversial explanation lacking definitive data. More research would be needed to demonstrate that adrenal issues are at the root cause. Those experiencing concerning symptoms should be evaluated by a medical doctor at Restore Health Clinic for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.