Is Adrenal Fatigue Real?

Are you feeling tired, worn out, and exhausted all of the time? Do you brush it off as a feeling that’ll go away after a good night’s sleep? Are you getting extremely exhausted even though you’re not doing much for the entire day? Do you have a deep craving for salty foods as of late? If you said yes to any or all of these questions, then you may have adrenal fatigue.

This ailment was first brought into the health and medical world by James Wilson, Ph.D. in 1998. The expert in alternative medicine and naturopath describes the illness as a group of signs and symptoms related to each other that result from the adrenal glands functioning below the recommended level.

The Theory Behind Fatigue From the Adrenal Glands

When we take a look at the body’s immune functionalities, we see that it responds by slowing down whenever we’re under pressure or stress. The adrenal glands, which are tony organs found just above our kidneys, will, in turn, respond to stress by releasing different hormones such as cortisol to the body. These hormones will regulate the blood pressure and the way the heart functions. As per theory, if an individual suffers from long-term stress, then the adrenal glands can’t continuously produce the extra amount of cortisol for us to feel good. As a result, this is where the special type of fatigue sets in. Albeit there’s no approved medical test for this fatigue because blood tests can’t detect even one iota of adrenal production, there are still suggested treatments to bring back healthy adrenal function.

Is This Fatigue a Myth?

Since there’s no accurate test or science to back it up, fatigue coming from the adrenal glands has been thought by many as nothing more than a mere myth. The world’s largest organization of endocrinologists called The Endocrine Society even called the ailment that it’s not a real disease. It’s because the symptoms and signs associated with the predicament are so general, these can be applied to a bunch of other health concerns. However, the organization still advises people to be wary of their health and to take supplements to assist in the production of extra cortisol for the body.

What are Other Health Concerns Associated With This Special Type of Fatigue?

Fatigue can be the result of other underlying health concerns, such as fever, constant stress, and even sleeping all-day-long can lead to a feeling of exhaustion and the depletion of energy. It can also be signs of other ailments such as sleep apnea, depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, and adrenal insufficiency.

What is Adrenal Insufficiency?

Adrenal insufficiency, unlike adrenal fatigue, is a recognized disease by the health and medical community. Furthermore, it can also be diagnosed. There are two forms of adrenal insufficiency, and both of them are caused by problems or damages to the adrenal glands that result in the organs not making enough cortisol for the body. The symptoms of this condition include chronic fatigue, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, and stomach pain.

If you do think that you have adrenal insufficiency, don’t hesitate to seek the help of a doctor. You can also take a blood test to see if your cortisol levels are too low for your body.