Adrenal problems occur due to underactive or overactive adrenal glands and range from mild disturbance to severe or life-threatening disease, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The adrenal glands sit on top of your kidneys and work together with your brain and pituitary gland to secrete hormones, as well as regulate functions such as metabolism, the immune system and your response to stress. Viral infections, excessive stress or autoimmune disorders damage the adrenal cortex, causing symptoms that include fatigue, weakness and lethargy. Treatment generally focuses on correcting hormonal imbalance as well as implementing lifestyle changes and use of medications.
Step 1
Get a medical evaluation to determine the cause of your adrenal gland disturbance. Accurate diagnosis is important before implementing treatment for your condition. Weakness is one symptom of adrenal insufficiency, however, for most the symptoms are gradual. A serious disorder can underlay the observable symptoms and medical evaluation is the only way to determine the origin of the disorder. The Mayo Clinic website states that your doctor conducts a physical exam and obtains blood work to make an initial diagnosis. In the event of persistent symptoms, additional testing such as computerized tomography imaging, checking cortisol levels and an insulin-induced hypoglycemia test are conducted for diagnosis of moderate to severe adrenal disorders.
Step 2
Take a multivitamin to increase energy and improve your immune system. Vitamins offer a variety of benefits. Adrenal disorders compromise your immune system and taking vitamin supplements help your body fight back. The Association of Women for the Advancement of Research and Education indicates that symptoms of weakness and fatigue can improve if you take individual vitamin C, B complex and vitamin E daily, or use a multivitamin. Consult your physician about recommended daily vitamin intake for combating adrenal symptoms without causing further harm to your body.
Step 3
Use a prescribed synthetic glucocorticoid to replace missing hormones. The National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service says that replacing the cortisol hormone is common treatment for adrenal insufficiency disorders. The medication is available by prescription only and taken orally, three times a day. Injections are also an option if your adrenal disorder is severe enough that you cannot retain oral pills due to symptoms of vomiting and nausea.
Step 4
Eat a diet rich in vegetables, whole grains and a protein source. Healthy eating is important for maintaining energy throughout the day, however, eating alone will not cure your adrenal disorder. Choose foods that contain vitamins and nutrients, and sustain your energy. Whole grains offer a carbohydrate source that limits the amount of simple sugar you consume, while providing starch to satiate your appetite. Fruits such as oranges, berries and melons provide antioxidants to protect your body from further toxin damage and protein in the form of fish or lean meat helps protect your muscles from extreme weakness during extensive daily activity.
Step 5
Go to the emergency room immediately in the event of severe weakness. Addison's disease is a severe and life-threatening form of adrenal insufficiency and can cause extremely low blood pressure, low blood sugar and high potassium. In the event of an adrenal crisis, MayoClinic indicates that immediate medical attention is required. Treatment for an adrenal crisis includes intravenous saline with dextrose, a form of sugar and a glucocorticoid injection.
Tips and Warnings
- Take time to relax during the day when you feel weak. Try to schedule a short nap or a five-minute meditation to decrease your stress. Get a full nights sleep to increase your energy level the next day. Do not overuse caffeine as this may increase your weakness.
- Never ignore persistent symptoms of weakness and fatigue. If you experience depression, irritability and weight changes in addition to weakness, a medical evaluation is warranted for cause and treatment.
