Mel is our Functional Nutritionist and Integrative Practitioner at Angea. In Clinic, we have seen an increase in clients with underlying Adrenal Fatigue or on the pathway to Adrenal Exhaustion. How can you tell if you Adrenal Fatigue?

Adrenal fatigue occurs when the adrenal glands have been under chronic stress for a period of time and they can not sustain the cortisol output to deal with the constant onslaught of stress.  The adrenal glands are then stuck in a constant state of flight and fight which is unnatural, so they tire and fatigue ending up with adrenal insufficiency.

5 clinical signs you may have adrenal fatigue:

1.     Fatigue

Especially in the morning, you feel like a truck has hit you and you’re slow to get moving.  You may have fatigue at other times during the day as well where you feel you could quite literally fall asleep walking.

2.     Brian fog and spacey

You feel like you’re viewing the world through smeared glasses where you can’t take information in properly.  Your environmental surroundings may seem hazy.

3.     Symptomatic

Weird symptoms are popping up that you’ve never had before.  It could be a range of issues or just one in particular.  Such as; digestive issues, itchy skin, headaches, fungus, UTI’s, forgetfulness or slow healing to name a few.

4.     Pain

You’re feeling pain in places you don’t normally feel.  It could be in the joints or you may pull up from a run extra sore.  A classic sign is sciatica.

5.     Stressed and anxious

Things that don’t normally bother you, aggravate you now.  Things that used to be water off a ducks back, frustrate you fiercely.  For example you’re stuck in traffic and you feel like yelling, screaming and stamping your feet at the stop lights.

 

5 actions you should do if you think this is you.

1.     Test don’t guess

You could go along for a period of time thinking things aren’t quite right.  To really know, test.  The best test is a saliva adreno-cortex stress profile.  This gives you your cortisol pattern over a day and cortisol sum.  A blood test from the doctor is not suffice.  Having the data in black and white will give you incentive to do something about it.

2.     Review your lifestyle

The reason you are in this state is because of your lifestyle.  In a culture that is ‘go, go, go’ we easily get caught up in this and neglect our need to rest and replenish.  Look at activities that will nourish and support you.  Eliminate activities that are going to deplete your energy.

3.     Nourishing foods

Fuel your body with nourishing, nutrient dense foods.  Eat whole, real foods.  Eat organic where possible.  Source meat from grass-fed, humanly raised animals.  Eat wild fish.  Consume good quality fats with every meal.

4.     Restorative exercise

Participate in exercise that is going to replenish and refuel you such as walking, yoga, swimming, supping or pilates.  Do not do any chronic cardio, this will dig you into an adrenal fatigue black hole.

5.     Acupuncture and supplements

There are some amazing adaptogenic herbs you can supplement with to support your adrenals while healing such as ashwaganda, rhodiola and korean ginsing.  Magnesium and vitamin C and B’s are important nutrients to increase in times of chronic stress.

A TCM practitioner will stimulate points associated with the kidney which is where the adrenal glands sit.

 

We offer Functional testing at Angea. To book your consultation with Mel you can email info@angea.com.au