Adrenal Fatigue: Learn What it is and How to Treat it

Your adrenal glands produce hormones to regulate blood sugar, inflammation, 
electrolyte balance and control your body’s response to stress. These glands respond to 
stress by producing cortisol. Adrenal fatigue theory suggests that long-term physical or 
emotional stress taxes your adrenal glands. Eventually, these glands cannot produce 
enough cortisol for you to feel healthy. 

The Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue

Some health care providers refer to this syndrome as adrenal fatigue. Although the 
symptoms of adrenal fatigue can vary from person to person, these are the common 
complaints:

*	Fatigue that is not relieved by sleeping

*	Loss of appetite

*	Depression

*	Nausea and vomiting

*	Lightheadedness

*	Skin discolorations

*	Low blood pressure

*	Salt and sugar cravings

The Topic of Adrenal Fatigue is Controversial

Currently, there is no test to diagnose adrenal fatigue. Tests performed by your doctor 
may not reveal a health problem. Since medical testing does not reveal adrenal fatigue, 
many doctors doubt that it exists. Most doctors prefer to make a diagnosis that can be 
proven with tests. That is why people with the symptoms listed for adrenal fatigue are 
diagnosed with depression, sleep apnea or fibromyalgia.

Adrenal fatigue syndrome was first coined by an alternative medicine expert in 1998. 
Today, proponents of adrenal fatigue believe that medical techniques are not yet 
sensitive enough to detect the imbalance, but your body will still feel the effects. Many 
of those proponents believe adrenal fatigue to be a mild form of adrenal insufficiency.

Adrenal Fatigue Treatment

If you suspect that your symptoms are caused by adrenal fatigue, there are lifestyle 
adaptations that you can implement to facilitate the healing of your adrenal functions. 
Some suggestions include:

Eliminate alcohol, drugs, caffeine and cigarettes
Follow a diet low in sugar, reduce junk food
Supplement with vitamins B5, B6 and B12 to help utilize nutrients and reduce 
inflammation
Supplement with vitamin C to boost cortisol production
Increase magnesium to maintain your energy levels
Add probiotics to your diet problems in the gut are thought to contribute to adrenal 
fatigue
Hydrate with (64 ounces of water per day) to provide more nutrients to cells and flush 
toxins 
Try meditation to reduce stress and manage cortisol production Adrenal fatigue does 
not occur overnight. It is believed to be a result of long-term emotional or physical 
stress. 

With lifestyle changes, it could take some time for the condition to improve. Having 
symptoms caused by a condition that your health care provider cannot identify can be 
frustrating, at best. It is important not to rely on treatments advertised by a company that 
diagnoses your problem with the purpose of selling you a cure. If you suspect adrenal 
fatigue, you may still want to consult with your healthcare provider. The symptoms of 
adrenal fatigue are vague and could indicate many other disorders including vitamin 
deficiencies, anemia and adrenal insufficiency. 

