Treating and Preventing Adrenal Fatigue

The treatment of Adrenal Fatigue syndrome depends on the signs and symptoms it manifests. It is important to know what hormones are abnormal and the proper way of correcting them. It is also important to be able to give supportive medications to reduce the effects of this ordeal to the patient. We can detect these abnormalities by ourselves by simply observing changes in our day to day activities.

Most signs and symptoms are associated with the hormones produced from the Adrenal glands. The usual signs and symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome are the following:

The low levels of Glucocorticoids cause a negative feedback mechanism that stimulates an increase in Adenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) production. Low Cortisol causes hypoglycemia because there will inhibition of gluconeogenesis that forms glucose. Hypoglycemia will manifest as weight loss, weakness, somnolence, depression, nausea and vomiting. The increase in ACTH levels will manifest as hyperpigmentation in the skin because ACTH will increase Melanocyte Stimulating hormone that produces skin pigmentation called melanin. This is treated by administration of Glucocorticoids and mineral corticoids.

Aldosterone, a hormone produced in the Adrenal cortex will also decrease causing ECF volume contraction, hypotension, hyperkalemia which causes cardiac arrhythmias and a severe form known as metabolic acidosis. Correcting Aldosterone deficit is very crucial in the management of Adrenal Fatigue.

Abnormalities in Androgenic hormones or the sex hormones levels will manifest as hair loss, decrease sex drive, virility, obesity and impotence. The treatment is hormonal replacement with injectable estrogens and testosterone.

Another hormone affected in Adrenal Crisis is the endorphins, known as the natural analgesics. Abnormality of this hormone will be seen as inability to have a sound sleep, irritability, agitation, anxiety and inability to concentrate.

Other hormones that are not secreted by the Adrenals are also affected like the production and action of the thyroid hormones, the neurotransmitter dopamine that is used in the brain for conduction and is the deficiency in Parkinson’s disease. This is the reason why some cases of Adrenal Fatigue will be misdiagnosed as Parkinsonism or Thyroid disease. Management must be precise. The physician must be keen to find out the real cause of the abnormality in order to treat it appropriately. Certain tumors may also cause adrenal fatigue.

Adrenal fatigue is also associated with the recurrent viral infections like Influenza and Pneumonia caused by viruses. Treatment of these diseases must be done immediately to prevent severity. Preventive measures may be best seen in the form of vaccinations and immunizations especially to the younger age group and to the elderly.

Adrenal fatigue can be prevented by avoiding exposure of too much stress. Stress comes in many forms such as physical stress, emotional stress, psychological stress and stress from trauma. Exposure to stress will stimulate the Adrenal Glands to respond because that is its function. However, when stress exposure is repeated, the Adrenals burnout causing Adrenal fatigue. Certain Neuroendocrine tumors also because adrenal fatigue, it is important that we must visit our doctors annually for check ups in order to detect abnormalities and health problems early.

A Dull Adrenal Functions Will Lead To A Wasted Exercise

A low tolerance to exercise can be a sign of a defective Adrenal gland. Hormones do regulate the body’s ability to respond to stress and its effect. If a person goes to gym daily and still can’t burn his fats, he is maybe having an insufficiency of Cortisol in his system that is secondary to Adrenal fatigue.

The Adrenal glands is a pair of almond shaped organs located right above each kidney. It produces number hormones necessary by several functions of the body including the response to stress and exercise. The main hormone involve is called Cortisol which is also known as Glucocorticoid.

Cortisol is a steroid produced in the Adrenal cortex of the Adrenal glands. It is essential in response to stress like exercise. It increases protein catabolism in muscles and decreases protein synthesis providing more amino acids for gluconeogenesis in the liver yielding glucose for energy production. In Adrenal fatigue, there is a decrease or absence of Glucocorticoid or Cortisol production which means that there will also be a decrease in muscle catabolism and growth. The energy production will also be low providing less energy for exercise. A person with Adrenal Fatigue will have lesser tolerance to exercise and stress.

Cortisol also increases lipolysis decreasing fat accumulation and producing more glycerol for energy production. In Adrenal fatigue, the decrease in Cortisol results to a decrease in lipolysis causing accumulation of fat and energy deficiency. Exercise will be insufficient and ineffective in burning fats.

Glucocorticoids also have anti inflammatory effects by inhibiting the release of histamines and prostglandins. A person with Adrenal fatigue will be more prone to easy muscle fatigue and muscle injury and inflammation. Glucocorticoids or steroids are gaining popularity in athletes and body builders because of its effect to exercise.

Other important hormones affected in Adrenal fatigue are the Cathecolamines namely Epinephrine and Norepinephrine, and the sex hormones called Androgens. The Cathecolamines reduction leads to a decrease in cardiac output causing decreasing tolerance during exercise. The Androgen in males called Testosterone, when deficient due to Adrenal Fatigue, decreases masculinity and also decreases exercise tolerance.

In females, Adrenal fatigue causes a decrease in the hormone called Estrogen. The hormone helps form the female curves and distinct physical features like the breast and butt. When there is Adrenal fatigue, Estrogen levels fall which means that aside from the decrease in exercise tolerance, there will also be a less effect seen on the exercise as to the goal of obtaining the perfect female body.

In some instances, Sexual intercourse is considered an exercise. Adrenal fatigue also affects sexual performance in both males and females in the reproductive age group. As the activity of the Adrenal glands turns dull, Testosterone levels in males and Estrogen levels in females go down causing a change in sexual performance. There will be a decrease in libido, a decrease interest to sex and a decrease in pleasure or sensitivity making it very difficult to attain orgasm.

Adrenal fatigue limits a person’s tolerance to exercise as the result of the decrease in the production of hormones which aids in the production of energy, utilization of fats, building of muscles and inhibition of inflammation. Exercise is an important aspect in people’s lives. So Adrenal fatigue should be diagnosed early and treated early in order to avoid the bad complications that will follow in the future.