What Is Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome?
Adrenal fatigue syndrome is a condition that results when our bodies’ natural responses become overwhelmed by emotional or physical stresses. The stress event may be a one-time occurrence such as loss of a job, an illness or the death of a loved one or the stress event can be a prolonged period of intense stress resulting from a series of factors resident in today’s fast paced world. No matter what causes the stress, the result of prolonged excess stress exposure can negatively impact our bodies by reducing the effectiveness of our adrenal glands.
A certain amount of stress is natural and healthy and only you can know when it becomes overwhelming and unhealthy. Excess stress can cause adrenal fatigue symptoms such as: being tired for no reason, having trouble getting up in the morning (even with a full nights rest), feeling burnt out or rundown, having trouble recovering from a normally manageable stress event, immune system dysfunction, excess cravings of salty and sweet snacks needed to keep you going, and feeling best after 6 PM. If you have any of these adrenal fatigue symptoms and they persist to the point of decreasing your effectiveness and happiness levels then you may have Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome.
Adrenal fatigue syndrome is not recognized by modern medicine though it has been identified in medical reports since the 1800′s. As a result, adrenal fatigue treatments are also sparse; doctors often advise their patient’s to try and ‘relax’. Addison’s disease is a more serious illness with symptoms similar to adrenal fatigue syndrome but worse in intensity and requires medical attention as it results when the adrenal glands shut down completely.
Adrenal fatigue syndrome is fortunately not as severe and results when the body’s is forced to produce excess cortisol and other stress hormones for extended periods of time. When the body is under excess levels of stress the adrenal glands can begin to over secrete hormones involved in the fight or flight response, including cortisol, norepinephrine and epinephrine. This over-secretion can cause fluctuating feelings of agitation, anxiety, and fatigue. Over time the body can begin to experience a lack of these hormones, often referred to “adrenal burn out”, leading to feeling overwhelmed and fatigued. This process repeats itself and the symptoms can get stronger over time.
There are a number of treatment options available for adrenal fatigue syndrome though most of them focus on either eliminating the stress event or managing it more effectively. Exercise, meditation and yoga are all great strategies that can help manage stress and in fact rebuild the body’s ability to physically withstand and fight the stress factors.
In addition there are a number of adrenal fatigue treatments available through the use of dietary supplements, commonly referred to as adrenal fatigue supplements. These supplements work by optimizing the functioning of the adrenal gland and regulating the production of cortisol. Be aware, not all adrenal fatigue supplements are created equal, many can make you tired or feeling a little out if it, while still others can become habit forming side. A good adrenal fatigue supplement will have no habit forming side effects and should not make you any less mentally sharp or productive.
Goodelements.com offers a vegetarian supplement called, Chill, which can help treat adrenal fatigue syndrome. This adrenal fatigue treatment is non-habit forming, promotes relaxation with out making you drowsy, balances moods, and creates a feeling of wellness. This is done by using the correct combination of vitamins and herbs to modulate the stress response governed by the adrenal glands. It focuses on regulating the production of cortisol by aiding production in times of maximum stress and throttling back the production during times when your body needs to rest and relax.