What Are The Adrenal Glands?

What are the Adrenal Glands?

The adrenal glands are located just on top of the kidneys and are a key part of the endocrine system.  They are responsible for producing several important hormones that assist the bodies ability in dealing with stress.  They have two parts: the cortex, and the medulla.

The cortex is the outer wrapping of the gland.  It produces cortisol which is a very powerful anti-inflammatory hormone.  Cortisol controls inflammation. The level of Cortisol in the body affects allergies, wound healing, asthma, arthritis, and lupus, just to name a few.

The medulla, which is the inner part, pours out epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine.  These hormones speed up the body’s metabolism in order to help us to cope with stress.  These are the two most important hormones in the body.  They govern the fight or flight response (alarm reaction), and are almost a direct extension of the nervous system.

Signs and Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue:

• Tendency to gain weight and unable to loose it, especially around the waist.
• High frequency of getting the flu and other respiratory diseases and these symptoms tend to last longer than usual.
• Tendency to tremble when under pressure.
• Reduced sex drive.
• Lightheaded when rising from a laying down position.
• Unable to remember things.
• Lack of energy in the mornings and also in the afternoon between 3 to 5 pm.
• Feel better suddenly for a brief period after a meal.
• Often feel tired between 9 – 10 pm, but resist going to bed.
• Need coffee or stimulants to get going in the morning.
• Crave for salty, fatty, and high protein food such as meat and cheese.
• Increase symptoms of PMS for women; period are heavy and then stop, or almost stopped on the 4th day, only to start flow again on the 5th or 6th day.
• Pain in the upper back or neck with no apparent reasons .
• Feels better when stress is relieved, such as on a vacation.
• Difficulties in getting up in the morning
• Lightheaded

Other signs and symptoms include:

• Mild depression
• Food and or inhalant allergies
• Lethargy and lack of energy
• Increased effort to perform daily tasks
• Decreased ability to handle stress
• Dry and thin skin
• Hypoglycemia
• Low Body Temperature
• Nervousness
• Palpitation
• Unexplained hair loss
• Alternating constipation and diarrhea
• Dyspepsia

I Have Adrenal Fatigue, now what should I do?

• Make sure to get to bed by 10pm every night and if possible sleep in until 8am. Your body heals the most during this time and if you stay up past 11pm the adrenals kick in again to keep you awake.
• The root factor of stress in your life needs to be identified and eliminated or at least minimized.
• Avoid any and all sources of caffeine.
• Avoid simple sugars.
• Avoid TV and the computer late at night, they can prevent a rise in melatonin which is needed for sleep.
• Do minimum exercise, even if its only 5-10 minutes per day to begin. Activity helps balance out hormone levels and as a result helps the adrenals strengthen as well.
• Supplement Adrenal Glandular,
  Pantothenic Acid 1,000mg per day, Vitamin C 3,000mg per day, Licorice Root Extract, Vitamin E 400 – 800 IU per day.
• Eat 3 meals per day.  Breakfast before 10am, lunch between 11am-12pm, and dinner should be between 5pm-6pm.

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