Contents:
- Medical Video: How to fix the exhausted brain | Brady Wilson | TEDxMississauga
- What is adrenal fatigue?
- How can the adrenal glands cause symptoms of fatigue?
- What causes adrenal fatigue?
- Psychological factors
- Disease factor
- Adrenal fatigue symptoms
- How to avoid and overcome often tired due to adrenal fatigue?
Medical Video: How to fix the exhausted brain | Brady Wilson | TEDxMississauga
Fatigue is a condition in which the body cannot work according to its function. This can be influenced by many factors such as diet, stress, activity until the disease in someone. However, you can also get tired often if there is a disruption in the adrenal gland that makes it unable to work according to its function.
What is adrenal fatigue?
The term adrenal fatigue was introduced in the early 90's, and was defined as a condition of fatigue due to the adrenal gland response to long-term physical and mental stress. But this theory is not supported by research evidence that shows the stress response causes adrenal fatigue.
At present, the endocrinology medical organization 'The Endocrine Society', states that adrenal fatigue is not a standard medical term, and they propose the term adrenal insufficiency. This condition of adrenal insufficiency occurs not because of the influence of pressure, but because of the production of adrenal hormones that do not meet the normal limits or needs of the body, which then cause the effects of fatigue.
How can the adrenal glands cause symptoms of fatigue?
The adrenal gland, also known as the adrenal cortex, plays a role in producing various hormones of adrenaline and noradrenaline, especially the hormones aldosterone and cortisol which have very important functions. The hormone aldosterone plays a role in regulating blood pressure and balancing levels of potassium and sodium in the blood. While cortisol plays a role in regulating metabolism and blood sugar.
If the function of the adrenal gland is disrupted, then the production of these hormones will decrease and there will be some disruption of bodily functions such as metabolic disorders, disruption of sodium and glucose distribution, and blood pressure disorders. Adrenal gland disorders do not occur directly, but are influenced by other factors such as interference with coordination with the pitutari glands that are in the brain. Any disturbance in the pitutari gland will trigger adrenal fatigue which affects the function of the adrenal gland and can cause hormonal balance.
What causes adrenal fatigue?
Psychological factors
Disorders of the adrenal gland that are affected by the pitutary gland can also be caused by the body's response to stress. This results in hormonal imbalances such as excessive secretion of the hormone cortisol but decreases the secretion of other hormones.
Disease factor
Although it tends to occur infrequently, the adrenal gland may not function optimally if you experience multiple disorders such as:
- The imbalance of hormone secretion by the adrenal gland such as too much stress hormone secretion occurs too long or can also occur if suffering Cushing's syndrome
- The development of a tumor or cancer in the adrenal gland
- Infection of the adrenal gland
- There are genetic abnormalities in the brain and the adrenal gland
- Autoimmune diseases such as Addison's disease
- Default born like congenital adrenal hyperplasia, enlargement of the gland that causes disruption of adrenal hormone production
Adrenal fatigue symptoms
Despite having different theoretical backgrounds, both the terms adrenal fatigue and adrenal insufficiency have some of the same symptoms, including:
- Feeling fatigue constantly
- Muscles feel weak
- Decreased appetite
- Imaging disorders such as stomach, nausea and diarrhea
- Low blood pressure
- Depression and irritability
- Want salty food
- Low blood sugar levels
- Headache
- Irregular menstrual cycles
Adrenal fatigue problems are difficult to recognize because they have symptoms that can be caused by conditions of chronic fatigue and other diseases. In addition, there is no standard test in detecting someone experiencing adrenal dysfunction. Nevertheless, fatigue can be immediately overcome by recognizing stress factors, nutritional status, activities and lifestyle as well as a history of the disease that is in someone.
How to avoid and overcome often tired due to adrenal fatigue?
Fatigue and some symptoms of adrenal fatigue can improve by applying some lifestyle changes caused by adrenal fatigue, including:
- Reduce consumption energy drinks and coffee simultaneously when you feel tired, and prioritize enough time to sleep if there are lost hours of sleep.
- Reduce consumption of processed foods because it will be more difficult to digest. Foods that are cooked are better to consume when you experience fatigue.
- Reduce consumption of sweet foods like snacks, because in general there are fewer amounts and types of nutrients. Instead, consume food sources that are rich in fiber, minerals, fat and protein, green vegetables, avocados, chicken, oily fish or nuts.
- Consumption of supplements which can help the function of the adrenal glands such as fish oil (EPA / DHA), magnesium, zinc and various vitamins B5, B12, C and D3.
- Control stress by relaxing or forgetting for a moment, stopping consumption of alcohol and cigarettes, and getting enough sleep because it is needed by the brain to think, regulate hormone secretion, and respond to stress better.
If it doesn't work and you have special consideration of your health condition or history of the disease causing the adrenal gland, immediately consult a doctor. Some conditions that cause adrenal fatigue such as the presence of a tumor, the presence of infection, genetic disorders or birth defects require further treatment.
