Adrenal gland exhaustion, also called functional hypoadrenia, occurs when the adrenal gland cannot operate well under the stress of normal body functions, according to Appliedkinesiologyclinic.com. The adrenal glands, located at the top of each kidney, help produce hormones that stimulate the pituitary gland and produce corticosteroid hormones. This condition presents with fatigue, eye sensitivity to sunlight, asthma and allergies, anxiety and a range other symptoms. The adrenal glands progress through stages toward exhaustion when the body is stressed.
Stage 1: Alarm Reaction
The first stage of the general adaptation syndrome of adrenal exhaustion disorder, the alarm stage, begins with an increase in adrenal hormone production, reveals Drciprian.com. This stage alerts defensive mechanisms in the body associated with the adrenal glands. Any stress, whether it is emotional, injury-related, physical violence or anything upsetting, may trigger the alarm stage of adrenal exhaustion syndrome.
Stage 2: Resistance Stage
The resistance stage of adrenal exhaustion syndrome follows the alarm stage. Saharaclinic.com indicates this stage occurs from periods of prolonged and unrelieved stress activated during stage 1. An increase in the size of the adrenal gland presents during this stage of the syndrome, along with a decrease in immune response. The sufferer may more easily contract colds and other contagions. Gastric ulcers and other digestive problems may also occur during stage 2, according to Drciprian.com.
Stage 3: Exhaustion Stage
The final stage of adrenal exhaustion syndrome is the exhaustion stage. Drciprian.com suggests more severe symptoms may occur during this stage. The adrenal glands experience a marked decrease in function, leading to a variety of problems. Myofascitis, bursitis, arthritis, colitis and dermatitis, as well as fatigue, dizziness, anxiety and nervousness, joint pain, allergies, digestive problems, asthma, heart palpitations, back pain, mental sluggishness, headaches and impotency may result from the exhaustion stage of adrenal exhaustion syndrome. Saharaclinic.com suggests that many sufferers may receive a diagnosis of Addison's disease, an adrenal gland disorder, as a result of this syndrome.
