Do you find yourself constantly stressed and fatigued that you must rely on caffeine or energy drinks to function throughout the day? This might be a sign of adrenal fatigue.
What Is Adrenal Fatigue?
The adrenal glands usually produce cortisol to respond to stress. This hormone ramps up the body’s functions to allow you to get out of a life-threatening situation, such as running away from a snake or saving yourself from a house fire.
However, if you are constantly stressed due to work or anxiety, the body does not recognize the difference between that and a life-threatening situation. Your body is put on constant high alert.
The adrenal glands will continue to produce cortisol which eventually causes adrenal fatigue. This adrenal fatigue can also cause hormonal imbalance in women.
It is essential to look out for the key indications and risks of adrenal fatigue so you can immediately get adrenal fatigue treatment before the situation worsens.
Constant Stress and Energy Fluctuations
People suffering from adrenal fatigue may constantly feel stressed, exhausted, and tense. This is accompanied by energy fluctuations as the body’s natural hormone balance is compromised and unable to flow naturally.
You may start your day with low energy and have it rise for a bit after eating lunch. You may feel like you need to rest for most of the afternoon and have another energy bump by the evening.
You might get another energy rise just as you are about to sleep until you fall into an exhausted sleep.
You may even wake up suddenly at dawn feeling alert and tense, making it difficult to go back to sleep.
These energy fluctuations can affect your sleeping and rising hours as well as your productivity throughout the day. The constant feeling of having low energy also causes people to rely on caffeine and energy drinks to be productive throughout the day.
Stressful Activities That Can Cause Adrenal Fatigue
Other than life-threatening situations, various stressful activities can trigger the adrenal function of the body, such as:
- Over-exercising and excessive sports performance
- Going through an allergic reaction or infection such as Lyme disease, herpes, etc.
- Feeling pressure from your work, financial situation, relationship problems, trauma, etc.
- The body is exposed to chemical toxins such as radiation, chemicals in the workplace, or even antibiotics you are taking.
- A diet high in caffeine, carbohydrates, and sugar can stimulate cortisol release.
- Chronic gut problems such as constipation, diarrhea, bloating, etc. from food sensitivities
Weight Gain
Excessive cortisol production can cause weight gain even if you don’t change your diet or exercise routine. Cushing’s disease, a condition causing excessive cortisol production, leads to round puffy faces, high blood pressure, and weight gain in the belly and chest areas.
Adrenal Fatigue Treatment
The key to treating adrenal fatigue is to address the stressors that stimulate cortisol production. This can help you balance your hormone levels, get a stable weight, get better sleep, and improve your mood.
There are also adrenal fatigue functional medicines available to help you resolve this problem.
Conclusion
Adrenal fatigue can cause constant stress, fatigue, energy fluctuations, and weight gain as the body is constantly on high alert. This can cause hormonal imbalance and other severe problems if left untreated.
Are you looking for adrenal fatigue treatment in Houston? We at Balanced Body Functional Medicine offer wellness plans to help you restore your health and feel like yourself again. RSVP for one of our live presentations to learn more!
