WHAT IS ADRENAL FATIGUE OR FAILURE?
Adrenal fatigue or failure is a collection of signs and symptoms, known as a syndrome, that results when the adrenal glands operating functions below the necessary levels. Most commonly associated with intense or prolonged stress, it can also arise during or after acute or chronic infections, especially respiratory infections such as influenza, bronchitis or pneumonia. Also, other hormone imbalances can cause adrenal disorders. As the name suggests, it’s paramount symptom is fatigue that is not relieved by sleep but it is not a readily identifiable entity like measles or a growth on the end of your finger. You may look and act relatively normal with adrenal fatigue and may not have any obvious signs of physical illness, yet you live with a general sense of un-wellness, tiredness or “gray” feelings. People experiencing adrenal fatigue or failure often have to use coffee, caffeine drinks and other stimulants to get going in the morning and to prop themselves up during the day.
Adrenal fatigue or failure can wreak havoc with your life. In more serious cases, the activity of the adrenal glands is so diminished that you may have difficulty getting out of bed or functioning for more than a few hours a day. With each increment of reduction in adrenal function, every organ and system in your body is more profoundly affected. Changes occur in your carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism, fluid and electrolyte balance, heart and cardiovascular system, and even sex drive. Many other alterations take place at the biochemical and cellular level in response to and to compensate for the decrease in adrenal hormones that occurs with adrenal fatigue. Your body does its best to make up for under-functioning adrenal glands, but it does so at a price.