Intuitive Living blog:

Many of my clients speak of having fatigue, sleeping problems, weight gain, and depression. They say that their mind feels 100 years ahead of their body. Sound familiar?

Many of these clients have what is known as Adrenal Fatigue or in extreme cases, Adrenal Exhaustion.

Your adrenals are small Brazil nut size glands which are on top of your kidneys. They are, in reality, two very different glands packed into one. The center of the adrenal gland makes adrenaline (epinephrine) and it is governed by the autonomic nervous system.

The outer part of your adrenal gland, which is called the cortex, makes many additional important hormones for your body.

Some of the most important are:

Cortisol: When you are under stress your adrenal glands will increase the making of cortisol to help your body respond to stress. Cortisol does raise your blood sugar, and blood pressure, as well as reducing your immune response. When your cortisol becomes low; you may have low blood pressure, fatigue, immune deficiency, and a high degree of allergies and sensitivities.

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S): DHEA is the most plentiful hormone produced by the brain. How DHEA works in our body is not understood fully. When your DHEA levels are low, you will feel dragged out, and feel you have very low energy. DHEA-S does decline with age, and does drop more rapidly with chronic fatigue patients. Often bringing your DHEA level to a middle range for a 29 year old will help considerably.

Aldosterone: This is the hormone that governs the balance of salt and water in your body.

Estrogen and testosterone: These two hormones are manufactured in significant amounts by your adrenals. About half the testosterone in a woman’s body is made by her adrenals.

Your adrenal gland’s job is to quickly transport all of your body’s resources into the “fight or flight” mode. They do this by rapidly increasing the making of adrenaline and other hormones. When healthy, your adrenals can rapidly increase your heart rate and blood pressure, and open your body’s energy stores for immediate use. Your senses will sharpen, and your body becomes very alert. A healthy stress response will have a priority over all of your metabolic functions. A healthy stress response will not last very long. However, in the modern world, we have lives of constant stress. Over work, toxins in our air, water and homes, poor nutrition, all of these create great stress in your body/mind. With all these challenges, the body will create a demand on your adrenal glands. The Damage of Cortisol

When cortisol production in your body is functioning normally, it will enable your body to meet the challenge of stress by converting protein into energy, and helping to release glycogen. It also will help to reduce inflammation. This process will work fine for a short time, however if it continues, cortisol will begin to wear your body down.

A high level of cortisol in your body will wear down muscle and bone. Your body’s ability to heal itself will slow down, as well as the replacement of cells. Cortisol will take over the other biochemicals your body uses to make its other hormones.

Adrenal fatigue may also be a factor in fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, early menopause and other conditions.

In my medical intuitive work, the energy pattern that I see with a person who has adrenal fatigue is that of survival, one who is not truly connected with their physical life on the Earth. The person is reacting as if they are under attack and are leaving their physical body behind. With intention and focused effort, their adrenals can be restored to health.

Your first step is to have a complete physical from your doctor. This will rule out any disease or other factors. My adrenal fatigue clients have seen great improvement by following these steps:

Decrease carbohydrates and stimulants in your diet. Add a minimum of 800mg of EPA, and 600 mg per day DHA, which are essential fatty acids. They are most easily found in fish oil capsules

Work on reducing your stress. Walking and being in nature is always healing. A focused energy practice such as Hatha Yoga, Tai Chi, or Qigong is very helpful.

Persons with more severe symptoms, such as adrenal exhaustion, usually need a more intensive program. These may include phosphorylated serines, low-dose DHEA, ginseng and other supplements.

Each person is unique, and therefore has unique needs. Self diagnosing is not recommended as it may have adverse side effects. Speak to your physician, or seek out the services of a medical intuitive.

©  2005  Christopher P. Stewart