Guest guest Posted July 21, 2006 Report Share Posted July 21, 2006 Hi, Here is some information regarding adrenal exhaustion. It is interesting that if you have energy lags during the day, feel emotionally unbalanced much of the time, sleep poorly or less than seven hours a night, can¹t lose excess weight even while dieting, use caffeine or carbohydrates as ³pick-me-ups² ‹ these are all red flags indicating adrenal insufficiency. I don't have any of the symptoms yet my adrenals are crashing. The symptoms do seem to fit the complaints of a lot of women here. Kenda Adrenal fatigue ‹ the effects of stress and high cortisol levels by Marcy Holmes, Women¹s Health NP, Certified Menopause Clinician Here are the topics covered in this article: * The role of healthy adrenal glands * How chronic stress causes adrenal exhaustion * The effects of adrenal fatigue‹cortisol and dhea * Should you have your adrenals tested? * Restoring adrenal health naturally Our patients¹ most common symptoms are fatigue, insomnia, weight gain, and depression. Does that sound like you? If so, your underlying problem may be adrenal fatigue. Every woman who comes to our clinic with these symptoms gets an adrenal fatigue test, which consists of a series of tests of cortisol levels. And the results ‹ over thousands of cases ‹ are remarkably consistent: only 1% have cortisol levels indicating healthy adrenal function, while 99% suffer impaired function, ranging from significant adrenal stress to complete adrenal exhaustion. The effects of adrenal dysfunction can be profound: fatigue and weakness, suppression of the immune system, muscle and bone loss, moodiness or depression, hormonal imbalance, skin problems, autoimmune disorders, and dozens of other symptoms. The good news is that adrenal fatigue can almost always be relieved. Let¹s look at the relationships between stress, high cortisol levels and adrenal fatigue, and then we¹ll look at how you can give your adrenals more support. The original, life-saving role of the adrenal glands To understand how adrenal fatigue develops, it is important to understand the original, evolutionary function of the adrenal glands. The adrenals are walnut-sized glands located on top of each kidney, and are important control centers for many of the body¹s hormones. The outer layer of the gland, called the adrenal cortex, produces hormones including cortisol, DHEA, estrogen and testosterone. The centers of the glands produce adrenaline, the hormone named after them. The basic task of your adrenal glands is to rush all your body¹s resources into ³fight or flight² mode by increasing production of adrenaline and other hormones. When healthy, your adrenals can instantly increase your heart rate and blood pressure, release your energy stores for immediate use, slow your digestion and other secondary functions, and sharpen your senses. Let¹s emphasize two points about this healthy stress response. First, it takes priority over all other metabolic functions. Second, it wasn¹t designed to last very long. Stress and the adrenal glands Unlike our ancestors, we live with constant stress. Instead of occasional, acute demands followed by rest, we¹re constantly over-worked, under-nourished, exposed to environmental toxins, worrying about others ‹ with no let-up. Every challenge to the mind and body creates a demand on the adrenal glands. And the list of challenges is endless: lack of sleep, a demanding boss, the threat of losing your job, financial pressures, personality conflicts, yo-yo dieting, relationship turmoil, death or illness of a loved one, skipping meals, reliance on stimulants like caffeine and carbs, digestive problems, over-exercise, illness or infection, unresolved emotional issues from our past or present and more. The result is adrenal glands that are constantly on high alert. The destructive effect of high cortisol levels What is cortisol? In its normal function, cortisol helps us meet these challenges by converting proteins into energy, releasing glycogen and counteracting inflammation. For a short time, that¹s okay. But at sustained high levels, cortisol gradually tears your body down. Sustained high cortisol levels destroy healthy muscle and bone, slow down healing and normal cell regeneration, co-opt biochemicals needed to make other vital hormones, impair digestion, metabolism and mental function, interfere with healthy endocrine function; and weaken your immune system. Adrenal fatigue may be a factor in many related conditions, including fibromyalgia, hypothyroidism, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, premature menopause and others. It may also produce a host of other unpleasant symptoms, from acne to hair loss. (Please click here to see a list of adrenal fatigue symptoms and related conditions.) The loss of DHEA production When the adrenals are chronically overworked and straining to maintain high cortisol levels, they lose the capacity to produce DHEA in sufficient amounts. DHEA (the full name is dehydroepiandrosterone) is a precursor hormone to estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, and is necessary to moderate the balance of hormones in your body. Insufficient DHEA contributes to fatigue, bone loss, loss of muscle mass, depression, aching joints, decreased sex drive, and impaired immune function. (For more information, read our article on DHEA.) Testing for adrenal fatigue Conventional medicine is truly wonderful at treating disease-state conditions. Unfortunately its focus on drugs also tends to suppress early-stage symptoms rather than treat their underlying causes. This can have the effect of delaying treatment until a disease state has developed. This is true in the case of adrenal fatigue cortisol testing. In the conventional standard of care, any cortisol level within a very broad range is considered normal, and anything outside that range indicates disease. In our practice, we measure cortisol levels at several points in the day to track the adrenals¹ day-night pattern (called the ³diurnal rhythm²) using a panel of simple saliva tests. We hope to see cortisol elevated in the morning to help you get going, lower but steady throughout the day to sustain energy, then fall in the evening to support restful sleep. In the early stages of adrenal dysfunction, cortisol levels are too high during the day and continue rising in the evening. This is called ³hyperadrenia.² In the middle stages, cortisol may rise and fall unevenly as the body struggles to balance itself despite the disruptions of caffeine, carbs and other factors, but levels are not normal and are typically too high at night. In advanced stages, when the adrenals are exhausted from overwork, cortisol will never reach normal levels (³hypoadrenia²). Conventional medicine will detect only the extremes of these conditions, when damage to the adrenals has already occurred (Cushing¹s disease and ¹s disease). Within those extremes, you can feel miserable and still be told your cortisol levels are normal. But by responding to early-stage symptoms of adrenal fatigue, we can reverse the developing dysfunction. Should you get an adrenal test? In general, if you feel happy and well, have steady energy and emotions, sleep soundly seven to nine hours a night, wake up feeling rested, recover well from stress, and maintain a healthy weight without dieting, then your adrenals are probably doing well. On the other hand, if your energy lags during the day, you feel emotionally unbalanced much of the time, you sleep poorly or less than seven hours a night, can¹t lose excess weight even while dieting, use caffeine or carbohydrates as ³pick-me-ups² ‹ these are all red flags indicating adrenal insufficiency. Natural adrenal support ‹ how to restore healthy adrenal function The first step is to have a full physical exam to rule out disease or other factors. In our experience, women with mild to moderate cases of adrenal fatigue can see significant improvement through these steps: * Dietary changes to enrich your nutrition and reduce carbohydrates and stimulants. We also recommend the addition of high-quality nutritional supplements, including essential fatty acids from fish oil. * Stress reduction, including moderate exercise and taking more time for yourself. It¹s helpful to make a list of your stressors, especially those that are constant. * Get more rest. Your body needs time to heal. Women with more severe symptoms, or those who have reached complete adrenal exhaustion, usually need greater intervention. At our practice we use the steps outlined above with the added natural support of phosphorylated serines, low-dose compounded DHEA, ginseng, and deglycyrrhizinated licorice. We personalize the therapy to each woman¹s symptoms and test results. (We urge you not to self-prescribe these substances, as they can have adverse health effects. Please click here to learn more about DHEA supplements.) It¹s important to emphasize the role of emotional factors. Guilt, pain from past hurts, self-destructive habits, unresolved relationship problems ‹ your past and present emotional experience may serve as an ever-present stressor. Dealing with these problems directly is much more beneficial than trying to compensate for the stress they create, in the same way that ³an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.² In all but the most extreme cases, we expect to see dramatic improvement within about four months. For mild to moderate adrenal fatigue the turnaround can be much faster. Remember, you may feel too tired to make changes now, but by moving forward in stages, you¹ll build the strength you need to stay with it. You will love how you feel when you do! Next steps For women with mild to moderate adrenal fatigue, our Personal Program offers the nutritional supplements and dietary guidance we recommend. It¹s an excellent foundation. In the Program you also have the option of nursing consultations for individual guidance. If you have questions, or to find out if the Program is right for you, call us toll-free at 1-800-251-6671. For women with severe adrenal fatigue, you are welcome to call the HealthCare Center and make an appointment for a telephone consultation. (If you live within driving distance, we would be happy to see you in person at our clinic in Yarmouth, Maine.) The toll-free number is 1-800-340-5382. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2006 Report Share Posted July 22, 2006 Hi Lea, I take a supplement by the name of Isocort but with your other medical problems, I'd be hesitant to suggest it to you. There are herbals that help your adrenals to function better but they aren't strong enough for me. What did the doctor recommend? Kenda > Dearest Kenda: > > Thank you for your continuing support. My doctor told me that my cortisol > levels are very low...near death. What can I do to change this condition. I > no longer see this internal specialist because he hurt me. > > Thank you.........sending love always..............Lea > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~````````````` > Re: Crashing adrenals > > > Hi, > > Here is some information regarding adrenal exhaustion. It is interesting > that if you have energy lags during the day, feel emotionally unbalanced > much of the time, sleep poorly or less than seven hours a night, can¹t > lose > excess weight even while dieting, use caffeine or carbohydrates as > ³pick-me-ups² < these are all red flags indicating adrenal insufficiency. > I > don't have any of the symptoms yet my adrenals are crashing. The symptoms > do seem to fit the complaints of a lot of women here. > > Kenda > > > > Adrenal fatigue < the effects of stress and high cortisol levels > > by Marcy Holmes, Women¹s Health NP, Certified Menopause Clinician > > Here are the topics covered in this article: > > * The role of healthy adrenal glands > * How chronic stress causes adrenal exhaustion > * The effects of adrenal fatigue * Should you have your adrenals > tested? > * Restoring adrenal health naturally > > > > > > Our patients¹ most common symptoms are fatigue, insomnia, weight gain, and > depression. Does that sound like you? If so, your underlying problem may > be > adrenal fatigue. > > Every woman who comes to our clinic with these symptoms gets an adrenal > fatigue test, which consists of a series of tests of cortisol levels. And > the results < over thousands of cases < are remarkably consistent: only 1% > have cortisol levels indicating healthy adrenal function, while 99% suffer > impaired function, ranging from significant adrenal stress to complete > adrenal exhaustion. > > The effects of adrenal dysfunction can be profound: fatigue and weakness, > suppression of the immune system, muscle and bone loss, moodiness or > depression, hormonal imbalance, skin problems, autoimmune disorders, and > dozens of other symptoms. > > The good news is that adrenal fatigue can almost always be relieved. Let¹s > look at the relationships between stress, high cortisol levels and adrenal > fatigue, and then we¹ll look at how you can give your adrenals more > support. > > The original, life-saving role of the adrenal glands > > To understand how adrenal fatigue develops, it is important to understand > the original, evolutionary function of the adrenal glands. The adrenals > are > walnut-sized glands located on top of each kidney, and are important > control > centers for many of the body¹s hormones. The outer layer of the gland, > called the adrenal cortex, produces hormones including cortisol, DHEA, > estrogen and testosterone. The centers of the glands produce adrenaline, > the > hormone named after them. > > The basic task of your adrenal glands is to rush all your body¹s resources > into ³fight or flight² mode by increasing production of adrenaline and > other > hormones. When healthy, your adrenals can instantly increase your heart > rate > and blood pressure, release your energy stores for immediate use, slow > your > digestion and other secondary functions, and sharpen your senses. > > Let¹s emphasize two points about this healthy stress response. First, it > takes priority over all other metabolic functions. Second, it wasn¹t > designed to last very long. > > Stress and the adrenal glands > > Unlike our ancestors, we live with constant stress. Instead of occasional, > acute demands followed by rest, we¹re constantly over-worked, > under-nourished, exposed to environmental toxins, worrying about others < > with no let-up. > > Every challenge to the mind and body creates a demand on the adrenal > glands. > And the list of challenges is endless: lack of sleep, a demanding boss, > the > threat of losing your job, financial pressures, personality conflicts, > yo-yo > dieting, relationship turmoil, death or illness of a loved one, skipping > meals, reliance on stimulants like caffeine and carbs, digestive problems, > over-exercise, illness or infection, unresolved emotional issues from our > past or present and more. The result is adrenal glands that are constantly > on high alert. > > The destructive effect of high cortisol levels > > What is cortisol? In its normal function, cortisol helps us meet these > challenges by converting proteins into energy, releasing glycogen and > counteracting inflammation. For a short time, that¹s okay. But at > sustained > high levels, cortisol gradually tears your body down. > > Sustained high cortisol levels destroy healthy muscle and bone, slow down > healing and normal cell regeneration, co-opt biochemicals needed to make > other vital hormones, impair digestion, metabolism and mental function, > interfere with healthy endocrine function; and weaken your immune system. > > Adrenal fatigue may be a factor in many related conditions, including > fibromyalgia, hypothyroidism, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, > premature > menopause and others. It may also produce a host of other unpleasant > symptoms, from acne to hair loss. (Please click here to see a list of > adrenal fatigue symptoms and related conditions.) > > The loss of DHEA production > > When the adrenals are chronically overworked and straining to maintain > high > cortisol levels, they lose the capacity to produce DHEA in sufficient > amounts. DHEA (the full name is dehydroepiandrosterone) is a precursor > hormone to estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, and is necessary to > moderate the balance of hormones in your body. Insufficient DHEA > contributes > to fatigue, bone loss, loss of muscle mass, depression, aching joints, > decreased sex drive, and impaired immune function. (For more information, > read our article on DHEA.) > > Testing for adrenal fatigue > > Conventional medicine is truly wonderful at treating disease-state > conditions. Unfortunately its focus on drugs also tends to suppress > early-stage symptoms rather than treat their underlying causes. This can > have the effect of delaying treatment until a disease state has developed. > This is true in the case of adrenal fatigue cortisol testing. In the > conventional standard of care, any cortisol level within a very broad > range > is considered normal, and anything outside that range indicates disease. > > In our practice, we measure cortisol levels at several points in the day > to > track the adrenals¹ day-night pattern (called the ³diurnal rhythm²) using > a > panel of simple saliva tests. We hope to see cortisol elevated in the > morning to help you get going, lower but steady throughout the day to > sustain energy, then fall in the evening to support restful sleep. > > In the early stages of adrenal dysfunction, cortisol levels are too high > during the day and continue rising in the evening. This is called > ³hyperadrenia.² In the middle stages, cortisol may rise and fall unevenly > as > the body struggles to balance itself despite the disruptions of caffeine, > carbs and other factors, but levels are not normal and are typically too > high at night. In advanced stages, when the adrenals are exhausted from > overwork, cortisol will never reach normal levels (³hypoadrenia²). > > Conventional medicine will detect only the extremes of these conditions, > when damage to the adrenals has already occurred (Cushing¹s disease and > ¹s disease). Within those extremes, you can feel miserable and > still > be told your cortisol levels are normal. But by responding to early-stage > symptoms of adrenal fatigue, we can reverse the developing dysfunction. > > Should you get an adrenal test? > > In general, if you feel happy and well, have steady energy and emotions, > sleep soundly seven to nine hours a night, wake up feeling rested, recover > well from stress, and maintain a healthy weight without dieting, then your > adrenals are probably doing well. > > On the other hand, if your energy lags during the day, you feel > emotionally > unbalanced much of the time, you sleep poorly or less than seven hours a > night, can¹t lose excess weight even while dieting, use caffeine or > carbohydrates as ³pick-me-ups² < these are all red flags indicating > adrenal > insufficiency. > > Natural adrenal support < how to restore healthy adrenal function > > The first step is to have a full physical exam to rule out disease or > other > factors. In our experience, women with mild to moderate cases of adrenal > fatigue can see significant improvement through these steps: > > * Dietary changes to enrich your nutrition and reduce carbohydrates and > stimulants. We also recommend the addition of high-quality nutritional > supplements, including essential fatty acids from fish oil. > > > * Stress reduction, including moderate exercise and taking more time > for > yourself. It¹s helpful to make a list of your stressors, especially those > that are constant. > > > * Get more rest. Your body needs time to heal. > > > Women with more severe symptoms, or those who have reached complete > adrenal > exhaustion, usually need greater intervention. At our practice we use the > steps outlined above with the added natural support of phosphorylated > serines, low-dose compounded DHEA, ginseng, and deglycyrrhizinated > licorice. > We personalize the therapy to each woman¹s symptoms and test results. (We > urge you not to self-prescribe these substances, as they can have adverse > health effects. Please click here to learn more about DHEA supplements.) > > It¹s important to emphasize the role of emotional factors. Guilt, pain > from > past hurts, self-destructive habits, unresolved relationship problems < > your > past and present emotional experience may serve as an ever-present > stressor. > Dealing with these problems directly is much more beneficial than trying > to > compensate for the stress they create, in the same way that ³an ounce of > prevention is worth a pound of cure.² > > In all but the most extreme cases, we expect to see dramatic improvement > within about four months. For mild to moderate adrenal fatigue the > turnaround can be much faster. Remember, you may feel too tired to make > changes now, but by moving forward in stages, you¹ll build the strength > you > need to stay with it. You will love how you feel when you do! > > Next steps > > For women with mild to moderate adrenal fatigue, our Personal Program > offers > the nutritional supplements and dietary guidance we recommend. It¹s an > excellent foundation. In the Program you also have the option of nursing > consultations for individual guidance. If you have questions, or to find > out > if the Program is right for you, call us toll-free at 1-800-251-6671. > > For women with severe adrenal fatigue, you are welcome to call the > HealthCare Center and make an appointment for a telephone consultation. > (If > you live within driving distance, we would be happy to see you in person > at > our clinic in Yarmouth, Maine.) The toll-free number is 1-800-340-5382. > > > > > > Opinions expressed are NOT meant to take the place of advice given by > licensed health care professionals. Consult your physician or licensed > health care professional before commencing any medical treatment. > > " Do not let either the medical authorities or the politicians mislead you. > Find out what the facts are, and make your own decisions about how to live a > happy life and how to work for a better world. " - Linus ing, two-time > Nobel Prize Winner (1954, Chemistry; 1963, Peace) > > See our photos website! Enter " implants " for access at this link: > http://.shutterfly.com/action/ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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