Adrenal fatigue refers to a collection of nonspecific symptoms such as body aches, fatigue, nervousness, sleep disturbances, and digestive issues. It is thought to occur when the adrenal glands become overtaxed and unable to produce adequate levels of hormones like cortisol to maintain normal physiological functions.
The adrenal glands produce over 50 different hormones that regulate various processes in the body. The main hormones produced by the adrenals include:
Some potential causes of adrenal fatigue include:
People with adrenal fatigue often have low energy levels despite adequate rest and sleep. They may feel run down for no apparent reason. Common symptoms include:
Diagnosing adrenal fatigue can be tricky since the symptoms are nonspecific and could be attributed to other medical conditions. There are no standard lab tests for adrenal fatigue. A doctor may order cortisol saliva testing or blood tests to rule out conditions like Addison's disease or Cushing's syndrome. Identifying and addressing contributing lifestyle factors is an important part of managing suspected adrenal fatigue.
Treatment approaches for adrenal fatigue include:
While some integrative medicine practitioners treat adrenal fatigue as a distinct syndrome, many conventional doctors do not recognize adrenal fatigue as a real medical condition due to the lack of definitive diagnostic criteria and evidence-based treatment protocols. More research is still needed.
Managing stress levels through self-care practices like getting enough sleep, eating nutrient-dense foods, exercising moderately and setting aside time for relaxation can help mitigate many nonspecific health complaints commonly attributed to adrenal fatigue. Supporting overall wellness is helpful whether or not adrenal fatigue turns out to be the exact diagnosis.