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What are Adrenal Glands?
Your adrenal glands are two small organs that sit on top of each kidney. The adrenal glands make different types of hormones you need to stay alive and healthy. Hormones are chemicals that travel in your bloodstream and control how different parts of your body work.
The adrenal glands make the hormones cortisol, aldosterone, adrenaline, and noradrenaline. They also make hormones that your body uses to make sex hormones (estrogen and testosterone). All of these hormones do many important jobs, including:
1. Turning food into energy and managing blood sugar levels
2. Balancing salt and water
3. Keeping blood pressure normal
4. Responding to illness and stress (your "fight or flight" response)
5. Timing when and how fast a child develops sexually
6. Supporting pregnancy
What is Adrenal Insuffiency?
Adrenal insufficiency occurs when the adrenal glands don’t make enough of the hormone cortisol. You have two adrenal glands. They are located just above the kidneys. They work with the hypothalamus and pituitary glands in the brain. Cortisol helps break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in your body. It also controls blood pressure and affects how your immune system works.
Adrenal insufficiency can be primary or secondary:
1. Primary adrenal insufficiency. This is known as Addison's disease. It occurs when the adrenal glands are damaged. They don’t make enough of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone. This condition is rare. It may occur at any age.
2. Secondary adrenal insufficiency. This starts when the pituitary gland doesn’t make enough of the hormone ACTH (adrenocorticotropin). As a result the adrenal glands don’t make enough cortisol.
What are Adrenal Disorders?
There are many conditions that can lead to problems with the adrenal gland function. The adrenal glands are small and shaped liked triangles and are located just above each kidney. They are sometimes called suprarenal glands. Their job is to make hormones that you need to keep your metabolism, blood pressure, immune system and stress response in balance.
Adrenal disorders are the result of your glands making too much or not enough of certain hormones. Hormones produced by the adrenals include hydrocortisone (also called cortisol), adrenaline and aldosterone.
You can think of dominoes and how one movement by one domino sets off a chain reaction, making the next domino in line fall down. If something happens and the next domino doesn’t get the message, the effect is ruined.
What is Adrenal Fatigue?
Adrenal fatigue is a term used by alternative health practitioners to explain tiredness and other symptoms which are thought to be due to chronic (long-term) exposure to stressful situations. However, it currently is not a recognised medical diagnosis. Many studies have failed to prove that adrenal fatigue is a medical condition.
What Does Adrenal Crisis Mean?
Adrenal crisis is a medical emergency. It’s the most serious complication of adrenal insufficiency and happens due to a severe lack of cortisol. An adrenal crisis can be life-threatening. Symptoms of adrenal crisis include:
- Severe pain in your lower body that comes on quickly.
- Bouts of vomiting and diarrhea.
- Weakness.
- Confusion and loss of consciousness.
- Low blood glucose,
- Low blood pressure.
If you have adrenal insufficiency, you should always have an injectable form of glucocorticoid medicine with you and you should wear some type of medical alert jewelry with that information. Make sure your family and friends know how to give the injection in the case of an emergency.
Other hormone imbalances and symptoms can occur with adrenal disorders. These include having too much potassium (hyperkalemia) or not enough sodium (hyponatremia) in your blood.
Symptoms of Adrenal Dysfunction
These common symptoms pop up often in those struggling to optimize their cortisol levels:
- Fatigue
- Difficulty waking in the morning
- Sugar cravings
- Salt cravings
- Weight gain (especially in midsection)
- Disrupted sleep
- Brain fog
- Lowered immunity
- Depression and anxiety
Although the symptoms above are common, they’re certainly not normal.
Common Types of Adrenal Disorders
There are different conditions related to your adrenal glands. Some of the most common include:
1. Addison’s disease, also called adrenal insufficiency. In this disorder, you don’t produce enough cortisol and/or aldosterone.
2. Cushing’s syndrome. In this disorder, your levels of cortisol are too high. This term can be applied when large doses of steroids are given to treat certain medical conditions.
3. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia. This term refers to genetic condition in which your adrenal glands are not able to make cortisol well. As a result ACTH is elevated. Depending on the defect higher levels of male hormone might be made.
4. Adrenal gland suppression. This is a type of adrenal insufficiency that is related to outside sources of cortisol or related synthetic hormones such as prednisone or dexamethasone.
5. Hyperaldosteronism. If you have this condition, your body produces too much aldosterone which can lead to blood pressure elevation and potassium loss.
6. Virilization. This condition happens when your body produces too much of the male sex hormones and is only apparent in females or boys before puberty.
There are also conditions of the adrenal glands related to growths (tumors). These include:
1. Adrenal gland tumors. Tumors can disrupt hormone output, but are usually noncancerous.
2. Adrenocortical carcinoma. This rare condition refers to cancer forming in the adrenal gland’s outer layer.
3. Pheochromocytoma. If you have this condition, your glands make too much epinephrine and norepinephrine which can raise blood pressure or make your heart race.
4. Pituitary tumors. Abnormal growth on the pituitary gland can cause adrenal gland conditions by disrupting the amount of hormones made by the adrenal glands. ACTH producing tumors cause Cushing’s disease. If tumors are large enough, they may press on the normal pituitary cells and cause deficiency of ACTH and secondary adrenal insufficiency.
Supplements to Boost Adrenal Health
Supplements should never replace a healthy, balanced diet. However, some vitamins and minerals are considered crucial for adrenal health that you may want to consider taking supplements if you suffer from fatigue.
These include:
B vitamins – B5, B6 and B12 vitamins have been linked with adrenal health, and a B-complex supplement may be a good option for those suffering from fatigue, particularly if you consume a plant-based diet or eat little meat.
Vitamin C – Studies have shown that vitamin C helps reduce both the physical and psychological effects of stress.
Magnesium – Studies have shown that magnesium is one of the necessary nutrients for fighting adrenal fatigue.
Vitamin D – Vitamin D is quite beneficial to adrenal function.
Zinc – Zinc assists in the production of many vital hormones, including thyroid hormones and the synthesis of cortisol.
How to Treat Adrenal Dysfunction Naturally
Here are some tips on how to combat adrenal dysfunction naturally:
1. IV Vitamin Therapy for Adrenal Fatigue
IV vitamin therapy, otherwise known as IV infusions, has been shown to enable patients with the ability to effectively recover from the vitality-sapping symptoms of adrenal fatigue in a markedly convenient and hassle-free way.
2. Eat Meal Within an Hour After Waking
Eat your first meal within an hour after you wake up in the morning, so that you do not allow your blood sugar levels to drop precipitously.
3. Skip Processed Foods
Stress can come from many different ways, one of which is by eating too many processed foods, which your body has a hard time..well, processing. By removing them, you’re supporting your adrenal glands returning to their natural state.
4. Say No to High Impact Exercise
It’s important to do low-impact exercise when you’re fighting adrenal fatigue. High impact exercise is another form of stress on the body, making it harder for your adrenals to repair themselves. Consider yoga, pilates, or light cardio.
5. Say Yes to Fresh Air
Fresh air and a walk in nature is also a great form of stress management and relief. Get out in nature. Take in slow deep breaths and relax.
6. Take B Vitamins
B vitamins, such as B5 can help balance hormones, and reverse symptoms of adrenal fatigue in the body.
7. Get Lots of Sleep
Lack of sleep is another stressor on the body. By not getting enough sleep, your cortisol levels will rise and your adrenal glands will work overtime. More sleep will reduce cortisol and stabilize your adrenal levels.
8. Include Protein
Protein, such as organic turkey, contains amino acids such as tryptophan, which relax your body, contribute to less stress and reduce cortisol levels, which help fight adrenal fatigue.
9. No Caffeine
Coffee is one of the biggest culprits of adrenal fatigue, as it causes your cortisol levels to rise, forcing your adrenals to pump out too much cortisol, leading to adrenal fatigue.
10. Magnesium, Magnesium, Magnesium
Magnesium, and magnesium-rich foods, such as fatty fish, avocado, legumes, and leafy greens, support the health of the adrenal glands, balancing hormone production levels, and lessening the effects of adrenal fatigue.
11. Organic Veggies
Organic green leafy vegetables, as well as purple and orange veggies, contain antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins and minerals, which contribute to the health of the adrenal glands. So it’s important to consume at least 6 servings of them in your diet.
12. Drink Half Your Body Weight
Hydration is critical for health of the endocrine system, so make sure you’re consuming about half of your body weight in ounces of filtered water per day. If you’re 150 pounds, for example, make sure you drink 75 ounces of water.
13. Epsom Salt Bath
An epsom salt bath works on multiple levels to help repair and heal your adrenals. First off, dipping your body in a relaxing epsom salt bath a few times a week will relax your stress levels, reducing production of the stress hormone cortisol, which leads to adrenal fatigue. But also, when you are stressed, magnesium levels are the first to drop off. Make sure to replenish your magnesium levels by using at least one cup of epsom salt per bath.
14. Meditate and Relax
Can’t stress it enough that stress is the biggest culprit of adrenal fatigue, so it’s important to relax above anything else. Use some essential oils, take slow and deep belly breaths, and meditate to cause your stress levels to drop off and your adrenals to heal themselves.
15. Eat Regular Meals
Make sure to eat regular meals that include complex carbs, healthy fats, and protein, throughout. It’s important not to skip meals as that will also lead to adrenal stress. Also make sure to always eat your meals slowly — do not rush through them!
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider about Adrenal Disorders
You should always contact your healthcare provider when you have symptoms that concern you, with or without a diagnosis of an adrenal disorder. Some of these might include:
1. Losing weight without trying, or gaining weight primarily in the upper body.
2. Feeling so tired that you can’t get through your daily tasks.
3. Being in any type of pain that is severe or that doesn’t stop.
4. Experiencing changes in hair growth.
5. Experiencing skin changes, like bruising easily or developing stretch marks.
If you have adrenal insufficiency, ask your doctor for an injectable glucocorticoid that you can carry with you. Make sure that you know how to inject yourself, and that your family and friends also know how and when to inject you.
Sources:
The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.
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