Around the world today, a modern-day phenomenon is plaguing millions of people. It's called chronic stress. It's hard to pinpoint where all the stress is coming from but much of it is due to our fast-paced society. Increasingly, our lives are being taken over by stress, and the popularity of technologies like the Ipad and smartphone, seem to have just exacerbated the problem.
While people find enjoyment and convenience from their smart devices and smart notifications, they are increasingly faced with the inability to “turn off”. Take the traditional working class for example. The 9 to 5 simply no longer exists for many people anymore. Instant text messages and email alerts push people to keep working long after they’ve gotten home from the office.
But there are many other reasons for chronic stress, of course. Just being unhealthy causes the body to be chronically stressed out. While most Americans are very much aware they are chronically stressed what they don’t realize is what it’s doing to their health.
A Modern-Day Energy Crisis
Adrenal fatigue syndrome (AFS), it affects so many, yet it’s a health condition mainstream doctors don’t recognize.
Dr. James L. Wilson, a naturopath and authority on adrenal function, estimates 80% of the world's population in developed and modern countries will experience adrenal fatigue at least once during their lives.
But what exactly is adrenal fatigue?
Adrenal fatigue is a state of adrenal exhaustion that occurs when the adrenal glands are unable to produce adequate amounts of hormones, primarily the glucocorticoid cortisol.
Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue
One of the biggest hallmarks of AFS is fatigue, the kind that does not go away with plenty of sleep. But besides being chronically tired, there’s another big red flag: relying on stimulants.
Dr. Wilson cautions people, saying, “People experiencing adrenal fatigue often have to use coffee, colas and other stimulants to get going in the morning and to prop themselves up during the day.
Some of the most common symptoms of adrenal fatigue:
- Continued fatigue not relieved by sleep or rest
- Strong cravings for salt or salty foods
- Overall lack of energy
- Decreased sex drive
- Decreased ability to handle stress
- Increase in time needed to recover from illness, injury or trauma
- Decreased joy and happiness
- Unexplained hair loss
- Pain in upper back or neck for no apparent reason
- Tendency to gain weight, especially around the waist
- Dyspepsia
- Alternating constipation and diarrhea
- Dry skin
- Palpitations
- Lightheaded when rising from horizontal position
- High frequency of getting flu or other respiratory condition
- Hypoglycemia
- Low body temperature
- Increase in PMS issues
- Reliance on caffeine and sweets to keep going
- Weakened mental capacity
(I don’t know about you, but I can relate to some of these...)
The Common Causes of Adrenal Fatigue
- Disease states such as severe or recurrent pneumonia, bronchitis or flu, cancer, AIDS, auto-immune and other illnesses such as gluten intolerance.
- Physical stress such as surgery, poor nutrition, poor digestion, mal-absorption, addiction, injury, and exhaustion. (Can also be caused by excessive exercise.)
- Emotional/psychological stress from relationships, work or other unavoidable life situations
- Continual and/or severe environmental stress from toxic chemicals and pollutants in the air, water, clothing or food.
Stages of Adrenal Fatigue
According to Dr. Michael Lam, these are the 4 stages of AFS. Depending upon how advanced your adrenal dysfunction is will determine the frequency and severity of your symptoms.
Early Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome: Stages 1 and 2
Stage 1: Alarm Reaction:
The fatigue is mild and lasting only for a short time. The body still has enough adrenal reserve during this stage. Cortisol output increases. One good night's rest is sufficient to make a complete recovery.
Stage 2: Resistance Response:
In this stage, the fatigue becomes more bothersome. More than just one night's rest is needed to overcome it. People often use sugar or caffeinated drinks as a crutch to combat the fatigue. As the stress continues, cortisol output peaks.
Dr. Lam: "Many stay in Stage 2 AFS throughout their adult life, unaware of internal damage."
Advanced Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome: Stages 3 and 4
Stage 3A — Early System Dysfunction:
At this stage, you will have mild fatigue constantly. Low thyroid functioning could also occur. You are likely to function at about 75-100% normal capacity. A total recovery usually will not occur from rest now.
Stage 3B — Hormonal Axes Imbalances:
Constantly, you feel mild to moderately fatigued. A full recovery still does not occur from rest. You are functioning at about 50-75% capacity. Issues with exercise, thyroid dysfunction, estrogen dominance, and low libido can become apparent.
Stage 3C — Disequilibrium:
The capacity to do normal activities can be diminished down to 25-50%. Full time work may be impossible at this stage.
Stage 3D — Near Failure:
Typically, you will be unable to work and incapacitated.
Stage 4
The final stage is referred to as "Adrenal Failure." At this stage, the adrenal glands are completely exhausted, and to survive the body goes into a state of emergency.
The Importance of Caring for Our Adrenals
While not everyone has chronic fatigue due to stress, it's important to remember that our adrenal glads are working hard to keep us functioning normally. Our fast-paced lifestyles and addiction to stimulants are taxing our adrenals and depleting our energy and vitality. The early stages of AFS are fairly benign, but after years of living in a stressful state, our energy levels will diminish until we don't recognize ourselves anymore.
The adrenal glands are so important to our health and energy because they make hormones we need to live and function. As you can see, each adrenal gland sits on top of each kidney.
One very important hormone the adrenal glands make is cortisol whose job is to help the body respond to stress and regulate metabolic functions. Just one of those metabolic functions is regulating blood sugar, and that's just part of the reason why poor adrenal function results in decreased energy.
I do want to point out that because AFS has so many symptoms associated with it, you must first eliminate other health problems. However, if you've been to your doctor time and again and have not found the right diagnosis, you may want to look into adrenal fatigue syndrome.
Hope you enjoyed reading this article or found it helpful! All of the information comes from two experts on adrenal functioning, Dr. James L. Wilson, and Dr. Michael Lam.
[2]https://www.drlam.com/articles/adrenal_fatigue.asp
[3]http://www.adrenalfatigue.co.nz/faqs/#03
[4]https://www.drlam.com/book/AFS%20-%20Staging%20and%20Progression.pdf