The adrenal glands help us deal with stress, and while conventional medicine doesn't recognize trouble with these glands until the problem is severe, there is a continuum of adrenal malfunction. In his book "Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome," James Wilson, ND, DC, PhD notes that prolonged low-level stress and acute severe stress can each cause varying degrees of adrenal burn-out. Several signs, alone or in combination, may indicate adrenal glands that are not functioning optimally.
Fatigue
One of the most common signs of adrenal problems is fatigue. You may find it difficult to wake up in the morning, even after a good night's sleep. Or, you may notice that you're having trouble staying awake in the early to mid-afternoon.
Lack of Energy
Lethargy goes hand in hand with fatigue for many people with adrenal problems. Often even the simplest tasks feel overwhelming and may seem to require more energy than they should. If exercise is part of your routine, you may find that your normal level of exertion is unusually exhausting.
Late-Night Energy Boost
Somewhat paradoxically, people with adrenal fatigue who spend the day feeling exhausted sometimes report getting an energy boost after dinner. If you feel best at night, particularly around 10 or 11 pm and find that you can stay awake and productive past midnight, you may have troubled adrenals.
Dizziness
Dizziness can be a sign of adrenal fatigue, though other causes (such as Meniere's Disease) should be ruled out first. People with adrenal malfunction will particularly feel light-headed upon rising quickly from a seated or lying position.
Hunger Intolerance
Few people would say that they tolerate hunger well, but the person with adrenal burn-out is an extreme case. This person is not producing enough of the hormone that generates glucose when no food is available. Skipping meals or going a prolonged time between meals may be especially difficult and may exacerbate other symptoms (fatigue, lethargy, irritability).
Cravings
Adrenal fatigue can cause different types of cravings. Some people may experience sugar cravings because of difficulty maintaining stable blood sugar levels and extreme fatigue. (Some may crave caffeine to deal with the fatigue.) Others may crave salt due to an insufficiency of aldosterone, another adrenal hormone.
Illness Frequency and Duration
People with adrenal fatigue sometimes notice that they get sick more often and recovery takes a lot longer. If you're still dealing with cold symptoms a month after you get sick, or if you have recurring respiratory infections, you may have compromised adrenal glands.
Stress Intolerance
An inability to deal with stressful situations and people is common among those with adrenal fatigue. If you are often or easily irritated, that may be a sign that your adrenal glands are stressed.
References
- "Smart Medicine for Healthier Living"; Janet Zand, LAc, Allan Spreen, MD, and James LaValle, RPh, ND; 1999.
- "Adrenal Fatigue, The 21st Century Stress Syndrome"; James Wilson, ND, DC, PhD; 2001.
