Friday, March 22, 2024

What Is Adrenal Fatigue Caused By

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Are There Any Exercises That A Person Could Do That Would Give Them A Good Idea If They Have Afs Or Not

Adrenal Fatigue Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

If you don’t have advanced stages of AFS, any exercise is good for the body provided they are not extreme. Walking, biking, hiking, yoga and flexibility exercise in moderation are all safe for everyone. If you have advanced stages of AFS, make sure you follow professional guidance before embarking on exercise.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to you all for the help and assistance that you have given me this year!”

“Dr Justin – Even though I still have a way to go, you have restored my health to a more comfortable level. Despite my autoimmune diseases, I have been able to return to work and am able to live a reasonable quality of life. You have helped me so much in understanding my health and have given me the tools to maximize my well-being. I have recommended Dr Lam’s site to many over here and will continue to send the message out there. My sincerest of ‘big thank-you’s’ to you for being such a great and caring doctor. Happy Holidays and I looked forward to an exciting year with you guys next year.To the lovely staff – I am blown away by your pleasant and extremely helpful attentiveness to my concerns and health needs. You are very special people.Thank you so much. Bless you and Happy Holidays!”

The Initial Causes Adrenal Fatigue Causes Hair Loss

The main cause of hair loss is stress. While most of us shed about 50 to 100 strands of hair daily, we also continue to grow new ones at the same rate. This shedding is normal, and its perfectly natural to replace lost hair with new ones. However, if youre losing hair that is excessively slow or isnt growing back, youre experiencing hair fall. There are many possible causes for this condition, but theres no one single solution.

Tinea capitis, also known as scalp ringworm, is a fungal infection that affects the scalp. Symptoms include bald spots and patches of hair loss. Infection may be caused by fungus, and scaly, red patches may develop. In severe cases, sores may develop on the scalp and oozing pus may be present. Treatment with a prescription may be necessary, but the long-term results of taking these medications are not always permanent.

In some cases, temporary hair loss may be the result of a hormonal imbalance. While some women experience hair loss due to hormonal fluctuations, others may experience permanent loss of hair. These changes can be caused by hormones in the body, such as those produced by the thyroid or by the adrenal glands. In severe cases, the loss of hair is caused by medical conditions. Inflammatory diseases can cause an excess of androgen, a male hormone. High levels of vitamin A in the blood and in the body can also result in hair thinning.

Addison’s Disease And Adrenal Problems

Insufficient production of hormones by the adrenal glands is the hallmark of a condition known as Addison’s disease. This condition can be diagnosed by blood tests and causes specific symptoms along with fatigue, including:

If you are having troublesome symptoms, the best course of action is to discuss these with your healthcare professional. Self-diagnosis of adrenal fatigue or other medically unrecognized conditions and trying proposed remedies for an unrecognized diagnosis can worsen the situation, because the true cause of your symptoms may go unrecognized. Further, some of the advertised “remedies”for adrenal fatigue consist of dried and ground preparations of animal gland tissues that may suppress the proper function of the endocrine system and may even possibly be a vehicle to transmit slow virus diseases like mad cow disease.

Unproven therapies for unrecognized conditions always carry a risk, and this is no exception.

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High Levels Of Fatigue Each Day

Do you feel that your energy levels are just at a permanently lower level than they used to be? Aging is often a factor in this, but chronic stress can be a major contributor to exhaustion too. If youre one of those people who find themselves drinking more and more coffee just to get through the day, it might be time to look at the underlying cause behind your tiredness.

In the later stages of Adrenal Fatigue, your adrenals become depleted and unable to produce enough of the hormones that you need. This means that your levels of cortisol, along with neurotransmitters like adrenaline and norepinephrine, are generally lower than they should be.

The relative lack of these crucial hormones explains how patients suffering from Adrenal Fatigue find it difficult to lift themselves or maintain any kind of reasonable energy level throughout the day. There is one exception though Adrenal Fatigue sufferers sometimes experience a bounce in energy in the late evening.

If you want to get your energy levels back to where they were, there are a few things that you need to do. Adopting an adrenal fatigue diet will give your adrenals and HPA axis the raw materials they need to recover. Removing sources of stress from your life will eliminate one of the causes of your adrenal exhaustion. And changing your lifestyle will have a measurable impact on your ability to handle stress.

Additional Things To Consider About Adrenal Fatigue Causes

Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome

There are a few other things to keep in mind when it comes to causes of adrenal fatigue.

  • You may notice more adrenal problems during menopause. When you go through menopause, your adrenal glands have to take over for your ovaries. For this reason, your adrenals can get overworked during this time of life. Learn more here.
  • Past prednisone use may be part of the equation. If you have taken prednisone in the past , it can weaken your adrenals. Read about the dangers of prednisone here.
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    What You Need To Know About Hair Loss

    If your condition is not due to a hormonal imbalance, your doctor may recommend treatment that includes topical corticosteroids. Topical corticosteroids may lead to red or puffy face and can reduce your immune systems ability to fight infection. In some cases, fungal infections, such as tinea capitis, can lead to hair loss. Fortunately, you can take antifungal medications to treat it and get a full head of hair again.

    Hair loss is a normal part of aging, and there is no need to worry. In fact, it is perfectly normal for most people to lose a bit of hair every day, and it will grow back eventually. Some men and women experience hair loss as they age, while others simply have a genetic predisposition to the problem. If youre experiencing a lack of hair, you may have a weakened immune system, which can lead to hair loss.

    For more severe cases of hair loss, a dermatologist may recommend a hair transplant. This procedure involves a surgeon removing plugs of hair from your scalp. It may take several hours and multiple sessions to complete the process. Its an invasive treatment, and may not be the best option for everyone. Your doctor will need to examine your scalp to determine the cause of your condition. In addition to a healthy diet, your doctor may recommend taking supplements of various vitamins and minerals.

    Key Points About Adrenal Insufficiency

    • Adrenal insufficiency occurs when the adrenal glands dont make enough of the hormone cortisol.

    • The primary kind is known as Addisons disease. It is rare. It is when the adrenal glands dont make enough of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone.

    • Secondary adrenal insufficiency occurs when the pituitary gland doesnt make enough of the hormone ACTH. The adrenal glands then dont make enough cortisol.

    • Mild symptoms may be seen only when a person is under physical stress. Other symptoms may include weakness, fatigue, and weight loss.

    • You will need to take hormones to replace those that the adrenal glands are not making.

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    Q: Is It Possible For Your Adrenal Glands To Be Truly Fatigued

    A: The adrenal glands have a big job. Theyre responsible for producing, secreting and regulating specific hormones in your body, including cortisol. They work constantly and have a huge functional capacity just like your heart or lungs.

    The term adrenal fatigue is based on the assumption that your adrenal gland has the capacity to fatigue but certain organs in your body are not so easily subverted. They dont simply tire out.

    Q: Why Is A Multidisciplinary Approach So Important

    Adrenal Fatigue Fix (Causes, Symptoms, Treatment)

    A: After ruling out possible endocrine disorders, your endocrinologist can refer you to other specialists, including urologists, cardiologists, rheumatologists, allergists/immunologists and infectious disease physicians.

    If youre diagnosed with POTS or another disorder, these specialists will work together to manage your health and develop a targeted treatment plan putting you on the path to symptom relief.

    Also Check: Supplements For Fatigue And Low Energy

    Dangers Of Unregulated Vitamins And Supplements

    The FDA does not review or approve dietary supplements based on their safety and effectiveness. This means that many supplements and herbal remedies sold in stores can contain ingredients that may interact with other medications youre taking, or the dosages may be out of FDA-regulated guidelines.

    Its best to run any dietary supplements by your doctor first. Not all vitamins, supplements, and herbs are dangerous , but everyones personal health issues are unique. Talk to your doctor if you have other medically diagnosed conditions, or are currently taking prescription medication.

    Become A Health Coach To Learn More

    If youre interested in learning more about how the different functions of the body affect your overall health and wellness, consider becoming a health coach. Join HCIs Become a Health Coach program and begin coaching in six months. If youre already a coach and want to advance your skills, check out HCIs Coach Mastery program. Feel free to get in touch with with one of our clarity coaches directly, by calling .

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    Remedies For Adrenal Fatigue

    Recovering from fatigue that involves the midbrain and adrenal function requires looking at the whole person and the stress load they are dealing with. Proper diet is critical in resetting adrenal function including high fiber, low inflammation foods, avoiding food allergies and gluten and eating the right fats. Specific stress management techniques including meditation, proper individualized exercise as well as supplements for sleep issues are all part of the fix.

    Most specifically to reset the cortisol function, the use of adaptogenic botanicals and nutrients are needed. I have found high dose omega 3 marine lipids , flaxseed powder and phosphatidyl serine to be very important. To provide the best of the adaptogens in one supplement, I have developed the Cortisol Control Formula combining the adaptogenic herbs with anti-inflammatory botanicals to optimize adrenal function. In addition, minerals such as magnesium and vitamins like B5 and B6 all support normal adrenal function and lead to higher energy.

    The 7 Causes Of Adrenal Fatigue

    The Most Common Causes of Fatigue

    Adrenal fatigue is a condition where your adrenal glands get overworked and burned out. It can take a major toll on your health and wellbeing, so youll want to avoid the major adrenal fatigue causes if you can. In this article, learn what causes adrenal fatigue and how to fix it.

    We will cover:

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    How Is Adrenal Fatigue Different From Adrenal Insufficiency

    As mentioned, there is no sufficient scientific evidence about adrenal fatigue, making doctors not accept it. However, adrenal insufficiency is an actual medical condition.

    Adrenal insufficiency occurs when the bodys adrenal glands cannot produce enough hormones. Either the adrenal glands have damage, or there is a problem with the pituitary gland.

    The pituitary gland is pea-sized located in the brain. It is in charge of sending signals for the adrenals to produce cortisol. Various conditions can occur when a person has adrenal insufficiency.

    Additionally, the detection for adrenal insufficiency is through blood tests, and treatment involves medications to fill in the hormones that adrenals usually make.

    On the other hand, no test can detect adrenal fatigue. Therefore, the basis is most likely on symptoms only. Although blood or saliva test may apply, there is still no scientific facts or studies to support this condition. In effect, the results of the test may be inaccurate.

    What Is The Treatment For Adrenal Fatigue

    The treatment for adrenal fatigue is essentially lifestyle advice, including sleep, diet and exercise. Talk with your doctor to discuss how you are feeling so that your doctor can arrange tests if needed and also provide you with advice and support.

    It is very important to reduce stress and improve relaxation. See also the separate leaflets called Acute Stress Reaction and Stress Management and also the leaflet called Relaxation exercises.

    Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. Avoid junk foods and processed foods. Also avoid or reduce coffee and any other stimulant drinks and reduce your intake of sugary drinks and foods. See also the separate leaflet called Healthy Eating.

    Regular exercise is also important. See the separate leaflet called Exercise and Physical Activity.

    It is very important to have enough sleep and to stick to a consistent sleep routine. For more information see the separate leaflet called Insomnia and the leaflet called Sleep diary.

    There is no evidence that supplements are of any value, and some supplements may be harmful.

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    Cause #: Emotional Stress

    The number one cause of adrenal fatigue is, without a doubt, stress. And as you know, this can come from any area of your life. Whether its a relationship gone wrong, an unreasonable boss, relocation to a new city, or sleepless nights looking after a newborn baby with colic, the effect is the same. This is the kind of low-grade stress that feels manageable in the short term, but can have terrible effects on your health in the long term.

    There are lots of strategies for coping with stress, but by far the best is to simply eliminate the cause. Often that means leaving a bad relationship or changing to a more fulfilling job. Sometimes it might be as simple as using some organizational tools to simplify your life. Take a step back and think about what makes you truly happy.

    The Connection Between Autoimmunity And Hpa Dysregulation

    What Causes Adrenal Fatigue

    HPA axis dysfunction is often found in those with multiple sclerosis. While it is not well understood as to why this dysfunction manifests in those with MS, researchers suspect it is due to general hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hyperactivity, disordered orexin neurotransmission, and abnormal cortisol secretion.

    Moreover, this study found that dysregulation of extra-adrenal glucocorticoid production can play a key role in a variety of autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis , lupus erythematosus , rheumatoid arthritis , and skin inflammatory disorders such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis .

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    Adrenal Fatigue Adrenal Insufficiency Or A Misnamed State Of Hypofunction

    Dr Carrie Decker ND, explores the terminology and the accuracy of the ubiquitous moniker of adrenal fatigue.

    Im so exhausted all the time, I think I have adrenal failure. My friend told me her naturopath said that her adrenals crashed and I think mine have too. I took a test and my cortisol was low and my chiropractor told me I have adrenal fatigue.

    If you have been practicing or following the field of integrative and holistic medicine for any amount of time, you inevitably have heard at least one of these statements from your patients. More often than not it comes from someone who appears to have some degree of fatigue, perhaps not more than your own, and the statement also vaguely includes something about what they read online or a quiz they took to assess their fatigue. Not only is the term adrenal insufficiency commonly misused, many walking, coherent, and healthy looking individuals often come in their physicians office claiming to have a state of adrenal failure.

    The medical condition of adrenal insufficiency

    In addition to this, activities such as exercise and stressful events , as well as being on medications including hormone therapy, inhaled and oral corticosteroids all can affect cortisol levels. Because of this, testing is wrought with measurements which although correct from a laboratory perspective may be falsely elevated.

    The gray is wide, and what do we call it?

    Cortisol does not act alone!

    References

    Is Adrenal Fatigue Real

    • By , Contributor

    Low energy and tiredness are among the most common reasons patients seek help from a doctor. Despite being so common, it is often challenging to come up with a diagnosis, as many medical problems can cause fatigue. Doctors engage in detective work, obtaining a medical history, doing a physical exam, and doing blood tests. The results often yield no explanations. It can be frustrating for clinicians and patients when a clear-cut diagnosis remains elusive. An attractive theory, called adrenal fatigue, links stress exposure to adrenal exhaustion as a possible cause of this lack of energy.

    Also Check: Is Extreme Fatigue A Sign Of Menopause

    Reset Your Stress Response

    Some tips for managing stress:

    STEP #1 Recognize the Feeling

    The first step to overcoming anxiety is to recognize it for what it is a set of feelings that are the result of a series of biological responses to a perceived threat. Pay attention to what happens when you become anxious: Your heart rate increases, your breathing accelerates, you may start to sweat, and your mouth might get dry. You may feel that you are going to pass out. Or you may have an urge to run, flee. You may have difficulty concentrating or experience memory lapses. You may experience nausea, chest pressure or pain. At bedtime you may be unable to fall asleep. You may feel a sense of impending doom even that you are going to die. But you are not. These are the signs of anxiety. It is your bodys flight-or-fight response kicking in.

    STEP #2: Have an Emergency Response Practice

    One of the quickest ways to reset your response from going down an anxiety pathway is to learn to use your breath for a quick reset. The quickest reset comes from doing a technique such as tapping or breathing exercises. You can retrain your brain to reduce negative thoughts with apps like Calm and Headspace.

    For more advanced practice in learning to use your mind and breath to get and stay out of anxiety, check out HeartMath an affordable and effective biofeedback device that we can teach you in the office, and you can easily use at home.

    STEP #3 Create Safe Space for Your Brain

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