Got stress? Feel “burnt out”? You probably have adrenal fatigue!

Your adrenal glands are small triangle shaped glands that hover over top of your kidneys. They are responsible for helping you respond appropriately to stress. The adrenal glands make approximately a dozen hormones that circulate through the blood that influence sex hormones, the immune system, our ability to sleep and our stress response to name a few of its responsibilities.

“Adrenal Fatigue” is a catchy way of saying that your adrenal glands are not functioning properly. Stress plays a huge role in adrenal fatigue. A maladaptive stress response can include not only psychological stress but also any physical stress put on the Healthy Body that may tax the adrenal gland function including chronic infections, allergies, use of stimulants (caffeine in coffee and tea, nicotine in cigarettes), poor nutrition, poor sleep habits, physical trauma and overworking.

Some of the symptoms that we see with Adrenal Fatigue are: insomnia, afternoon fatigue, anxiety, depression, weight loss or gain, muscle aches and pains, lack of concentration, memory loss, irritability and frequent colds and flu’s.

There are many ways to support your adrenal glands and help prevent Adrenal Fatigue. Many lifestyle choices such as deep breathing, meditation and yoga help to support psychological stress. Healthy nutrition, proper sleep and a balance between work and play will help both physical and psychological stress. Sometimes when the adrenal glands are really in need of help, herbal formulas, supplementation or Chinese Acupuncture may be needed to support the adrenal glands and bring them back to good health.

Adrenal Health is a very important part of Healthy Living a long and healthy life, so be sure to give your adrenal glands the support and respect they need.