Adrenal insufficiency, sometimes called adrenal exhaustion, is a condition caused by the destruction of the adrenal cortex, the outer portion of the adrenal glands, due to tumors, hemorrhaging, infections or autoimmune responses in the adrenal glands. The adrenal cortex regulates blood pressure and mediates stress response through the production of cortisol, aldosterone and androgens. Adrenal insufficiency occurs in 4 persons out of 100,000 regardless of age and sex, according to the Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Left untreated, adrenal insufficiency may be life-threatening.
Treating Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is a medical condition characterized by a reduction in blood glucose levels. Impaired adrenal function can disrupt the secretion of the stress hormone cortisol. Low cortisol levels have been linked with increased insulin sensitivity, notes NewTreatments.org. Thus, a person's blood glucose level drops as the adrenal glands become depleted. Treating hypoglycemia will therefore be helpful in relieving many of the symptoms associated with adrenal insufficiency, like fatigue, anxiety and depression, according to the Environmental Illness Resource.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, is the mainstay of therapy for patients with adrenal insufficiency. It has been shown to rapidly improve the adrenal health, and most patients are able to lead normal lives. According to the Penn State Hershey Medical Center, HRT is intended to restore the missing adrenal hormones with synthetic ones. Hydrocortisone is the drug of choice for the substitution of natural cortisol. It is taken once or twice a day. If aldosterone is missing, the HRT also includes oral doses of fludrocortisone.
Nutrients
There are a number of nutrients that boost the body's ability to adapt to stress, thereby improving the general activity of adrenal glands. A large amount of vitamin B5, or pantothenic acid, absorbed from the duodenum and upper jejunum, is stored in the adrenal glands. Vitamin B5 is also a major constituent of co-enzyme A which aids the metabolism. Both vitamin B5 and co-enzyme A are required for the synthesis of adrenalin hormones.
