Adrenal fatigue refers to a collection of symptoms that occur when the adrenal glands cannot adequately meet the demands of stress. It is characterized by feeling consistently run down, lacking energy, and struggling to get through each day.
The adrenal glands produce key hormones including cortisol and adrenaline to help the body respond to physical and emotional stressors. Over time, constant or excessive stress can overwhelm and "exhaust" the adrenals, leading to:
While controversial, some healthcare practitioners believe adrenal fatigue develops when the adrenals become overworked and cannot keep up with demands placed on them. Conventional medicine does not recognize adrenal fatigue as an official diagnosis.
However, managing lifestyle factors may help alleviate associated symptoms and support overall adrenal health:
If symptoms persist, check with your healthcare provider to identify and properly treat any underlying conditions, such as sleep apnea, depression, thyroid dysfunction or autoimmune disorders. Working closely with them can help develop an integrated treatment approach.
I tried to cover the key aspects of adrenal fatigue in this answer. Let me know if you have any other questions!