Exhausted Adrenal Gland Symptoms
If you are suffering from some or most of the following symptoms:
• Insomnia
• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• Depression
• Fatigue and weakness
• Muscle and bone loss
• Moodiness
• Hormonal imbalance
• Skin problems
• Autoimmune disorders
You could be suffering from a condition known as tired adrenals or adrenal exhaustion.
We live in a world of constant stress. Instead of occasional demands on our bodies followed by periods of rest, we re living a life of permanent stress: over-worked, consuming over- processed and nutrition depleted foods, exposed to environmental toxins, worrying about others with no time for our selves to relax. The list of challenges is endless: lack of sleep, a demanding boss, the threat of job loss, money pressures, personality conflicts, yo-yo dieting, relationship upheaval, death or illness of a loved one, reliance on stimulants such as caffeine and carbs, digestive problems, over-exercise, illness, unresolved emotional issues and more. The result is the adrenal glands are constantly in high alert placing the body consistently in the fight or flight response to these events. These endless challenges to the mind and body create an excessive demand on the adrenal glands.
The adrenals are small glands located on top of each kidney, and are important control centers for many of the body s hormones. The outer layer of the gland, called the adrenal cortex, produces hormones including cortisol, DHEA, estrogen and testosterone. The centers of the glands produce adrenaline. Under conditions of stress, the adrenal glands rush to produce adrenaline and other hormones known as the fight or flight response to stress. When healthy, your adrenals can instantly increase your heart rate and blood pressure, release your energy stores for immediate use, slow your digestion and other functions, and sharpen your senses. Two points about this healthy stress response should be emphasized: First, it takes priority over all other metabolic functions. Second, we weren t designed to live in this state of constant stress. However, in our modern stressful life, we are living almost entirely in this state with very little time to rest and recover.
When the body is stressed, cortisol the anti-stress hormone levels rise, and DHEA levels lower eventually causing such problems as:
Insulin resistance: reduced glucose utilization and increased blood sugar which lead to diabetes
Viral and autoimmune infections caused by reduced secretory IgA (the main cellular defense factor), natural killer (NK) cell and T-lymphocyte activity
Osteoporosis: calcium absorption is blocked and demineralization of bone occurs.
Increased fat accumulation around the waist and protein breakdown, leading to muscle wasting and the inability to lose weight.
High blood pressure caused by increased salt and water retention.
Estrogen dominance , leading to PMS, uterine fibroids, and breast cancer
