The Truth Behind “Adrenal Fatigue”

To be blunt – the abundance of non-medical persons using TikTok and Instagram to instill fear in their audience is an issue that medical professionals fight every day. One example that comes about frequently is the concern of “adrenal fatigue.” 

“Adrenal fatigue” is a term coined in the late 1990s by an alternative medicine provider to suggest that the adrenal glands have become exhausted and can no longer produce adequate levels of the hormone cortisol due to chronic stress or infections. The diagnosis is not recognized by scientific or medical communities, and should not be confused with actual disorders of the adrenal gland.

The symptoms listed for adrenal fatigue include many non-specific and common complaints, including: 

·       Fatigue

·       Food cravings

·       Caffeine overuse

·       Brain fog

·       Inability to handle stress

·       Body aches

The tests offered by alternative health care providers for ‘adrenal fatigue’ are invalidated and inaccurate.

The truth is, healthy adrenal glands can handle the demands that we place on them, even with the chaos and chronic stress of life! We trust our hearts to handle daily cardio exercise and our kidneys to filter day in and day out – we should extend this same mentality to our adrenal glands. They will not get fatigued. Actually, they were specifically designed to tackle our stress! 

If you have concerns about “adrenal fatigue,” you probably already carry a high level of chronic stress. The answer to reducing your stress is not always easy, but can be beautiful in its simplicity. No pricey supplements required. In fact, some of these interventions are free: 

·       Get more sleep 

·       Exercise more 

·       Take time for self-care  

·       Change your job

·       Seek help from a licensed therapist

When you’re not feeling well, it is natural to want an explanation for your symptoms. But remember: the discussion for evaluation and treatment is not a “one size fits all.” Oftentimes, the best diagnosis is given by a provider listening and taking a thorough history.

Sources:

https://abbylangernutrition.com/does-adrenal-fatigue-exist-heres-the-truth-about-this-condition/   

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4997656/