by Paula Owens

 

The Epidemic of the 21st Century: Adrenal Fatigue Part II (affect over 60% of population)

Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue & Decline:

• Afternoon yawning and/or headache
• Allergies and/or hives
• Arthritic tendencies and inflammation in the body for more than 10 days
• Blood sugar imbalances (low blood sugar)
• Body fat levels don't lower in response to physical exercise
• Brown spots on your face, neck or shoulders
• Calm on the outside, troubled on the inside
• Changes in sleep - insomnia
• Chronic heartburn and poor digestion
• Chronic low back pain, worse with fatigue
• Chronic or recurrent infections, colds
• Consistently feeling run down and low in energy; not relieved by sleep
• Dizzy when standing up suddenly
• HAVING to have a cup of strong tea or coffee in the morning to feel awake
• High blood pressure or very low blood pressure
• Inability to reduce body fat, and/or a spare tire of fat around the navel (excessive abdominal fat)
• Intestinal bloating
• Intolerant to cold
• Irritable, hopeless, low motivation
• Lack of energy in the morning and in the afternoon between 3-5pm
• Lack of libido
• Loss of interest in previously pleasurable things
• Mood disorders: depression, anxiety, panic attacks, irritable, hopeless, low motivation
• Pain on the medial or inner side of the knee or upper back & neck for no apparent reason
• Perspire easily
• Poor concentration & memory; foggy thinking
• Poor response to stressful situations; keyed up; decreased ability to handle stress; exercise intolerance
• Sex hormone imbalances
• Sugar and/or salt cravings
• Tend to be a night person
• Tendency to "need" to wear sunglasses; sensitive to light
• Thin and/or dry skin
• Thin, can't gain weight or a person who loses weight
• Unexplained hair loss
• Wanting to stay in bed after the alarm goes off; trouble getting up in the morning

• Chronic injuries that cause inflammation
• Chronic use of stimulants
• Consistently staying up late (past 10:30 p.m.) and getting up early
• Eating foods your body is sensitive to and cannot tolerate
• Insufficient rest and relaxation
• Long-term steroid drug use for arthritis, asthma, allergies or MS cause adrenals to shrink in size
• Performing high intensity cardio exercise
• Persistent feelings of anger, depression, anxiety
• Prolonged or severe illness
• Prolonged stress (emotional, mental, environmental, psychological, electromagnetic or physical)
• Severe acute stress
• Skipping meals and blood sugar imbalances
• Toxin exposure (environmental, electromagnetic, physical, emotional, etc.)
• Unwillingness to deal with fears

• Saliva testing (most reliable) Genova Labs
• -Samples taken 4 times/day for one day to determine basic cortisol rhythm
• Complete Blood Count
• Metabolic Panel
• Inflammatory Markers: C-Reactive Protein, Homocysteine
• Thyroid Panel-TSH, Free T4, Free T3

Recovery for Adrenal Fatigue:

• Nutrition and diet (organic)
• Supplements: vitamins B, C, E, fish oil, zinc, quality multi
• I.V. Therapy
• Glandulars: Biotics ADHS, ABD5
• Other nutrients/herbs: Evening Primrose Oil, Panax Ginseng, Licorice root tea, Ashwaganda, Phosphatidylserene (PS)
• Stress management: yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, meditation, deep breathing
• Avoid high-intensity cardiovascular exercise
• Enjoy personal down time every day
• Brisk walking with arms swinging

• Adrenal fatigue is common
• Symptoms may overlap with other conditions such as depression and anxiety
• Testing is easy
• Effective treatment is available
• Total health can be regained
• Take control and responsibility for yourself; educate yourself; read my book, The Power of 4 and Adrenal Fatigue: The 21^st Century Stress Syndrome (James Williams)