Dr. Christopher Maloney of Maloney Medical in Augusta, Maine, notes that adrenal fatigue is a commonly occurring condition but can be misdiagnosed. The symptoms of adrenal fatigue can be confused with chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia or depression. Some symptoms of this condition, as noted by AdrenalExhaustion.org, include anxiety, depression, insomnia, inability to handle stress, extreme tiredness, midsection weight gain and increased susceptibility to infections. Maloney Medical recommends that any treatment for adrenal fatigue should include lifestyle changes.
Symptoms
The National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service reports that adrenal fatigue can lead to Addison's disease. The website describes this condition as a hormonal disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands are unable to create sufficient hormones. Adrenal fatigue, also known as secondary adrenal insufficiency, occurs when the body's cortisol no longer responds sufficiently to stress. Cortisol is responsible for maintaining blood pressure and cardiovascular function and slowing the immune system's response to inflammation. As the body prepares for an external crisis, cortisol raises glucose levels to provide the blood with extra energy and pumps additional proteins into the muscles. The symptoms of adrenal insufficiency usually begin gradually. The most common symptoms are chronic, worsening fatigue; muscle weakness; loss of appetite; weight loss; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; low blood pressure when standing that causes dizziness; irritability and depression; a craving for salty foods because of salt loss; headache and; sweating.
Fatigue to Exhaustion
Adrenal glands assist the body in dealing with stress. AdrenalExhaustion.org describes the adrenal gland in this condition as overworked and attempting to maintain high levels of cortisol. The website notes that these glands produce DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, which is derived from progesterone. Progesterone is a necessary chemical in balancing the hormones in the body. Insufficient amounts of DHEA cause symptoms of adrenal fatigue such as extreme tiredness, loss of strength and muscle mass, depression, aching joints, decreased sex drive, and impaired immune function. Prolonged stress decreases levels of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that affects mood, causing anxiety and depression. These symptoms are more severe in adrenal exhaustion than in adrenal fatigue; however, adrenal fatigue left untreated can progress to the more advanced metabolic disease known as adrenal exhaustion.
Symptom Progression
The National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service indicates that the symptoms of adrenal fatigue progress slowly and are often misdiagnosed until a stressful event like an illness or accident increases the symptom intensity. Sudden, severe symptoms of adrenal fatigue are known as Addisonian crisis. Symptoms of adrenal insufficiency can be serious enough to seek medical treatment. It is important to note that these symptoms singularly can have common causes but frequency, intensity and duration of adrenal fatigue symptoms warrant expert medical attention.
