Adrenal fatigue

Adrenal fatigue is present when the adrenal glands release stress hormones irregularly. In the early stages, this can also manifest as overactivity of the adrenal glands, resulting in increased release of the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol – which is why I prefer to speak of adrenal dominance in general, and only refer to exhaustion in the final stages of this dominance. Adrenal exhaustion is present when the adrenal glands no longer produce sufficient stress hormones after having passed through a stage of weakness. These functional disorders of the adrenal glands are not to be confused with Addison’s disease, which leads to organic failure of the adrenal glands, is very rare and is not a necessary consequence of functional adrenal exhaustion.

While conventional medicine generally only recognises a defective organ, and thus Addison’s disease, as adrenal exhaustion, naturopathy often already regards functional complaints of the adrenal glands as problematic.

The symptoms of adrenal fatigue often resemble those of an underactive thyroid, chronic fatigue syndrome or burnout, although symptoms cannot always be clearly assigned. Fluctuating blood sugar, mood swings, low stress resilience and impaired detoxification capacity are also frequent symptoms of adrenal fatigue.

In the early stages of adrenal fatigue, a health problem that often goes unrecognised also occurs: the shift of the cortisol curve. Cortisol should be elevated in the morning and fall slowly during the day, reaching its lowest level in the evening. If, however, the cortisol curve shifts towards an evening “peak”, melatonin, our sleep hormone, cannot rise. The result is sleep problems. Because of this shift, cortisol is in turn lacking in the morning, and getting up becomes difficult. Patients then often say: “I’m always tired in the morning, but awake in the evening…”. Depending on the extent of the shift in the cortisol curve, there may also be “slumps” in the afternoon. With adrenal exhaustion, one feels weak all day. A strong need for stimulants such as coffee or sugar in order to get going or to get through the day is also a good indication of adrenal fatigue or adrenal exhaustion.

Adrenal fatigue should never be seen as an isolated problem, but always in the overall context of a disturbed hormonal system. Measuring hormones in isolation is not useful, however, as disorders can also arise from the interaction of hormones. Every treatment therefore begins with testing by means of the Walsh test, followed by hair mineral analysis. Adrenal fatigue or adrenal exhaustion is frequently accompanied by an excess of copper.

Very detailed information on the adrenal glands can also be found in Katia Trost’s book “Nebennierenschwäche” (Adrenal fatigue, in German).

It is a kind of “zoom-in” on her book “Wege aus der Hormonfalle” (Ways out of the hormone trap), in which the adrenal glands are discussed once more in detail, above all in their capacity to throw the entire hormonal system into disarray.

Indirectly, the book also outlines the treatment system she developed.

The book contains a small self-help section, but is above all an educational book. It goes into even more detail on the stages of adrenal fatigue and how to distinguish them. The symptoms of adrenal fatigue are of course also discussed in great detail, with explanations of the connections within the body.

As in “Wege aus der Hormonfalle”, the adrenal cure is included, but without recipes. You will also find further tips for bringing your hormonal system back into balance.

The book “Nebennierenschwäche” was written as an introductory book. It is intended for people who initially feel overwhelmed by “Wege aus der Hormonfalle” or who are completely new to the subject of hormones and the adrenal glands. Anyone who is comfortable with “Wege aus der Hormonfalle” does not necessarily need the book “Nebennierenschwäche”.

Aims of the guide “Nebennierenschwäche”:

• Are you looking for real explanations for your adrenal fatigue and would like to understand the connections within the hormonal system? Then this book offers the ideal introduction.
• Hormonal problems are best treated by not treating them directly. Factors such as energy deficiency and problems of the nervous system and the psyche are what actually lie behind hormonal problems. The book also discusses a sensible order of treatment.
• Anyone who understands the adrenal glands and the symptoms associated with adrenal fatigue can essentially explain to themselves how illnesses arise and why.
• The book also distinguishes between the stages of adrenal fatigue and how they manifest symptomatically. It includes a quiz so that you can find out which stage of adrenal fatigue you may be in.

Source of title image: “Gray1120-adrenal glands” by Roxbury-de – own work by uploader, based on Image:Gray1120.png. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons – Wikipedia