Adrenal fatigue is one of the most prevalent and misdiagnosed medical conditions. It is caused by prolonged or frequent stress and is governed by cortisol. Cortisol is the “fight or flight” hormone that our adrenal glands release when we are experiencing any sort of stressor – mental, emotional or physical. Cortisol plays a key role in your body and is responsible for:
– Maintaining your blood sugar (glucose) levels
– Metabolizing fat, protein and carbohydrates
– Regulating your immune response
– Reducing inflammation
– Helping to regulate your blood pressure
– Maintaining your heart and blood vessel tone and contraction
– Activating your central nervous system
Over time, if your stress levels remain high and cortisol is constantly being pumped out by your adrenals, these glands, like any other part of the body, get tired out. Following are the top 10 signs of adrenal fatigue. You:
1. Require coffee to get going in the morning and throughout the day
2. “Hit a wall” around 3pm each afternoon
3. Have dips in energy between meals and feel irritable or light-headed when you miss or skip meals
4. Just generally feel “tired” all the time
5. Tend to feel anxious and have a hard time concentrating
6. Crave sugar or starchy treats between meals and crave salt
7. Find you are waking up throughout the night
8. Are sensitive to bright lights (always need to wear sunglasses when outside)
9. Have low blood pressure (below 110/70) or low fasting blood sugar
10. Have sensitive digestion – fluctuate between loose stools & constipation or have been given a diagnosis of IBS
Leave a Comment