A couple of months ago I was starting to feel so exhausted by the end of the day that I could hardly walk to my car after work. All I wanted to do was make it to the couch. I felt so drained! When I went to my family doctor, he wanted to prescribe anti-depressants. I felt like he was telling me to just shut up and get over it. How was that going to help me get my energy back? Later, while in his office, I found a pamphlet that advertised a holistic doctor. I decided to call her and made myself an appointment. All of the ladies in this office were so very nice and pleasant. The doctor there listened to me!
A saliva test was suggested for hormone testing. She gave me these vials to spit in everyday; morning, noon, and night, for one day. I thought that would be an easy thing to do, but I had to really work at it, but I was finally able to fill to the line. These vials are sent off to the lab. I also had blood work done.
In a couple of weeks the results were sent back. My blood work was great; my blood sugar, my cholesterol, etc. As for the saliva test, it showed that I had Adrenal Fatigue which is something that I have never heard of before.
Our adrenal glands sit atop our kidneys to monitor our “fight or flight” responses. When faced with a stressful situation, our bodies rely on the adrenal glands to either release adrenaline, which makes us more alert and focused, and cortisol, which converts protein to energy and releases our stored sugar, glycogen, so our bodies have the fuel needed to respond quickly. In today’s society women are inundated with stress that doesn’t let up. When chronic stress forces the adrenal glands to respond continually without any recovery time, either the adrenals start overproducing cortisol, which can lead to insomnia, anxiety, and the “tired and wired” feeling, or they become depleted to the point that cortisol production can’t keep up with demand, which can cause depression, fuzzy thinking, fatigue, weight gain, cravings, and mood swings.
So since STRESS (whether physical, emotional, or psychological) is a main factor, then it is important to maintain stress as much as possible through lifestyle modifications; diet, herbs, minerals, vitamin supplements. My doctor stated that I should not exercise except to walk 3 times a week for 30 minutes each time. Any more than that can cause the adrenal glands to overwork. So now I am on a regimen of supplements, diet change, and walking. I will keep you posted.
The Lord heals your diseases, redeems your life from the pit, satisfies you with good, shows compassion to his children, and knows your frame. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Psalm 103: 3-14
Brenda, great article!! You've explained everything so well. I learned a few tidbits that I didn't know before - thank you for this insightful information.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about stress, and isn't it amazing to realize that exercise is also a form of stress? I'm also, in the process of healing my nervous system that has become over extended from years of stressful thoughts and circumstances.
Thank you for sharing this; I'm looking forward to following your journey, and gleaning from it.
Have a glorious day,
Marianne xo
Hi Brenda, Popping over from Marianne's blog! this is a very interesting post about adrenal fatigue, very informative and though some people have told me i have low energy and some even said coz i dont do enough exercise that's why i get easily tired etc, i sometimes confused myself on what is wrong with my body, but yes i do believe with a good diet, supplements, vitamins and exercise (though some people think going to the gym everyday and getting sweaty for more than half hour are what it takes for to get healthy) i think it's about balancing your body, 3 times a week walk are more do-able for me coz i've been on that route when i wanted to lose weight but all i got was more stress, no energy and easily got sick coz i'm too tired to do anything else :) thanks for sharing this and sorry about my long comment hehe
ReplyDeletesusan
I love your comment, Miss Tea!! It is good to hear from you. This adrenal fatigue is very new to me, but I am trying to do what I can to find out more and more so that others can be informed. I, too have been confused at exercising because I was one of those that believed that "sweating for more than half an hour" was the way to go. But when I become extremely tired (exhausted), I knew something was very wrong. It surprised me to find out that low exercise will be a better way of getting my adrenals "in shape!" Thank you for stopping by and I hope you will visit again.
ReplyDeleteBrenda