Adrenal Fatigue and You

August/September 2008 Women's Journal

Adrenal Fatigue and You

By Jewa M. Lea, DC

Last article, I mentioned that there were three types of lifestyle stress that can cause interference with the nervous system and result in disease. They were physical, biochemical, and psychological stress. Psychological stress is by far the most prevalent of the three. How you perceive your world and react to it varies in each individual. What upsets you may not upset the next person depending on their experience or perception. According to the American Institute of Stress (based in Yonkers, NY), 75 to 90% of visits to physicians are related to stress. Statistics show that 20 million Americans suffer from stress-related disorders and disease, with job-related stress being the most common.

The body’s response to stress is hard-wired and uncalibrated.  Your body does not judge the type of stress, thus its response is the same for every kind of stress – small or large. The adrenal glands, sitting right above the kidneys like a skullcap, exist to help us cope with stress. When a person perceives a threat, real or perceived, the body responds and the adrenals release a flood of hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol, which focus concentration, speed reaction times, increase blood flow and glucose availability.

While these hormone levels naturally decline after the stress event is over, prolonged or recurrent stress does not give the body a chance to recover. High levels of adrenaline and cortisol adversely impact sleep, digestion, metabolism and cardiac function. High levels of cortisol results in depressed immune function and contributes to a propensity toward illness. 

Adversely, the adrenals fatigue with recurrent stress. It’s been estimated that four out of five adults experience adrenal fatigue in their lifetime. Underperforming adrenals result in a myriad of more subtle symptoms and often lead to misdiagnosis:                                

Addiction to stimulants, such as coffee and colas   

Depression

Tiredness that is not relieved by sleep

Loss of strength

Slow recovery from illness                                    

Anxiety

Autoimmune problems                                                      

Chronic infections

Removing interference from the nervous system, replenishing the adrenals and supporting endocrine function are the answer to these symptoms and helping the body cope with stress.

Note the following case study.

Case Study

On May 12^th, “Betty” presented with complaints of job and familial-related stress. Hx of fatigue, anxiety and other “nagging symptoms” post-chemotherapy.  Surface Electromyograph (EMG) revealed heightened muscle tension and stress (green – mild, blue – moderate, red – severe, black – very severe).

On June 23^rd, after 12 visits of BEST treatments, Betty felt centered and better equipped to handle daily stress.  Fatigue and anxiety were no longer present. Surface EMG showed only five areas of abnormal tension, two of which were mild.   She continues care today and reports even more symptom improvement.