The suggested treatments for healthy adrenal function are a diet low in sugar, caffeine, and junk food, and “targeted nutritional supplementation” that includes vitamins and minerals: Vitamins B5, B6, and B12. Vitamin C. Magnesium.
Recovery from adrenal fatigue can take anywhere from 3 months to 3 years. Each individual has a unique set of symptoms and an individual response to treatment. The recovery process depends upon the stage and severity of the adrenal exhaustion.
B vitamins, such as B5 can help balance hormones, and reverse symptoms of adrenal fatigue in the body. Lack of sleep is another stressor on the body. By not getting enough sleep, your cortisol levels will rise and your adrenal glands will work overtime. More sleep will reduce cortisol and stabilize your adrenal levels.
Adrenal fatigue is thought to occur when the adrenals have been overworked to a degree that they can no longer secrete levels of cortisol that are adequate for optimal function. Potential stressors include environmental and dietary influences, as well as anxiety and emotional stresses.
Symptoms said to be due to adrenal fatigue include tiredness, trouble falling asleep at night or waking up in the morning, salt and sugar craving, and needing stimulants like caffeine to get through the day. These symptoms are common and non-specific, meaning they can be found in many diseases.
If not treated, adrenal insufficiency may lead to: Severe belly (abdominal) pain. Extreme weakness. Low blood pressure.
Stage 4 (Burnout/Crash)
Our adrenal glands have ceased to function, and little can be done to restore our bodies homeostasis. During the final stage of burnout and individual can suffer from lack of sex drive, depression, restlessness, anxiety and little to no interest in surroundings.
The short answer is, yes, you should incorporate some level of physical activity even if you have adrenal fatigue. However, that will look different for each person. Exercise, especially high-intensity exercise, is stressful on the body and it causes your body to release cortisol.
Hydrocortisone tablets work as a hormone replacement for a natural hormone called cortisol. You may take hydrocortisone tablets if your body does not make enough cortisol – for example if you have Addison's disease or if you've had your adrenal glands taken out.
Adrenal fatigue and anxiety occurs when the body experiences too much physical or emotional stress and therefore depletes the adrenal glands of important hormones, particularly cortisol (your stress hormone). It is a prevalent condition that is rarely diagnosed or treated correctly leaving people reeling for answers.
If your hormones are imbalanced, then it can start to cause a number of issues. One of these issues is unexpected weight gain. Studies have shown that hormonal imbalance and adrenal fatigue can be to blame for unexplained weight gain.
The chronic pain that may develop with adrenal fatigue unchecked, may lead to the diagnosis of fibromyalgia, and /or chronic fatigue. Chronically elevated cortisol levels, can lead to a state of catabolism or breakdown of proteins. Loss of muscle mass can occur.
B-Vitamins is very important for your adrenal glands, especially Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 deficiency has been linked to adrenal cortex stress, so supplementing with vitamin B12 can be a beneficial addition to your adrenal fatigue diet.
Blood and urine tests help measure the amount of adrenal hormones, which can detect a functional tumor. A computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan may be useful in diagnosing an adrenal gland tumor and determining whether it is cancerous.
Acute adrenal crisis is a medical emergency caused by a lack of cortisol. Patients may experience lightheadedness or dizziness, weakness, sweating, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, or even loss of consciousness.
I have personally dealt with adrenal fatigue in the past, and I can vouch for magnesium and cortisol's role in calming stress levels and rehabilitating hormonal systems. Magnesium helps to regulate cortisol levels, allowing for more balanced hormone production which is essential in our fast paced culture.
A great way to determine how much salt you need comes right out of James Wilson's “Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Syndrome.” Wilson recommends trying ¼ tsp of salt in 8 ounces of water. If the water tastes better – not salty, but perhaps more satisfying – it is a signal that your body needs the salt.
This is due to the fact that metabolic processes stimulated by thyroid hormone also increase adrenal demands. Specific interventions which can facilitate starting thyroid restoration include: Addition of magnesium glycinate 600-1000 mg orally or transdermally.