4 Things You Didn’t Know About Adrenal Fatigue

Although many people think of reproductive hormones when they hear the phrase “hormonal imbalance” the fact is your body produces many hormones that have nothing to do with your reproductive system — and they’re essential for your overall good health. When you have too much or too little of just about any hormone, it can cause problems. 

At The Well for Health, our providers consider your overall health and well-being when you come to us for care. Rather than suggesting ways to alleviate particular, isolated symptoms, we look at the big picture of your health. More often than you might imagine, a hormonal imbalance is responsible for a host of unpleasant, and sometimes seemingly unrelated, symptoms. 

Your adrenal glands, which are situated above your kidneys, are responsible for the production of hormones that are associated with your stress response. When you live with chronic stress, you may have what’s known as adrenal fatigue. Here are four things most people don’t realize when it comes to adrenal fatigue. 

1. Adrenal fatigue is not the same as adrenal insufficiency

Adrenal insufficiency is a diagnosed medical condition called Addison’s disease, and it’s entirely different from adrenal fatigue. Adrenal insufficiency means your adrenal glands don’t produce the hormones your body needs. 

Adrenal fatigue, on the other hand, isn’t a specific condition. It’s a term used to describe a collection of symptoms, some of which include: 

• Fatigue
• Body aches
• Difficult sleeping
• Problems with digestion
• Feeling nervous or anxious
• Mild to moderate depression

The symptoms of adrenal fatigue may make you feel as though you’re not operating at 100% or you’re moving through a fog. 

2. We can’t test you for adrenal fatigue

No test exists to find out how your adrenal glands are functioning. However, our providers can measure certain hormones in your blood, discuss your life and medical history with you, and work to understand why you’re experiencing the symptoms you have. 

Our staff is highly trained and knowledgeable about adrenal fatigue, so we’re well-prepared to help you get on a path to feeling better. 

3. Stress reduction is key for adrenal fatigue

Stress is part of modern life. You can’t make traffic magically better on your way to work or ignore your work piling up. But you can take steps to ease chronic stress if you discover that it’s a problem. 

Our providers don’t simply tell you to reduce stress — that’s not very helpful. Instead, we help you identify concrete ways you can lower your stress levels. A meditation class, exercise routine, or developing better sleep habits are all examples of ways to reduce stress. 

4. Making healthy choices does help with adrenal fatigue

Because adrenal fatigue is often due to chronic stress, you may find that creating a more healthful life overall is the best way to feel better. Good nutrition can improve both your general health and how well your adrenal glands function, for example. 

Exercise, sleep, and building a life that contributes to your health and your well-being can make a huge difference in both your symptoms and your level of happiness. Making these kinds of lifestyle changes is often a part of treating adrenal fatigue. 

Get a personalized plan for your adrenal fatigue

A clear protocol for treatment exists in certain medical situations, but that’s not the case with adrenal fatigue. Instead, our providers work with you to design a plan specifically for your health and your life. Your adrenal fatigue could involve different hormones than someone else’s, so a treatment approach that’s designed just for you is crucial. 

You may need supplements or vitamins, or you might have to make certain lifestyle changes. We tailor your treatment to fit your needs and adjust it as needed. 

If you’re feeling less energetic than you expect or you have other vague symptoms that don’t necessarily seem connected, schedule an appointment at The Well for Health. We’ll work with you to figure out targeted changes that can help.