Adrenal fatigue is a common and growing problem of modern life. Sadly, it is largely unrecognised by the medical establishment.
This has left millions with an untreated problem that interferes not only with their ability to function but also with their capacity to enjoy life.
It is difficult to assess exactly how much money is lost by corporations due to worker absenteeism, poor or clouded decision-making, alcoholism, drug abuse, nervous breakdowns, burnout, employee conflict, acute and chronic illness, loss of employees, and a host of other problems that stem from the effects of over-stressed adrenal glands.
It is also not possible to estimate the personal cost to people who have had to switch to a lower- paying job to avoid a total collapse, or to the chronically ill who just do not have the energy to get back on their feet.
People with adrenal fatigue are much more likely to develop a host of other common diseases and syndromes in which fatigue is one of the primary symptoms.
Adrenal fatigue is not a readily identifiable entity such as measles or a growth on the tip of your finger. People with adrenal fatigue may not have any obvious signs of physical illness, yet they are not well and live life feeling grey. They often use coffee, colas and other stimulants to keep them going.
Affects mental health too
The adrenals also have an effect on mental health. People with adrenal fatigue show a tendency toward increased fears, anxiety and depression, have intervals of confusion, increased difficulty in concentrating, and less acute memory recall. They often have less tolerance and are easily frustrated.
When the adrenals are not secreting the proper amount of hormones, insomnia is one of the likely outcomes. As the condition worsens, it lays the foundation for other seemingly-unrelated conditions such as frequent respiratory infections, allergies, asthma, frequent colds, chronic fatigue syndrome, adult onset diabetes, auto immune disorders, and alcoholism.
These people appear lazy and unmotivated, but they are forced to drive themselves much harder than others to accomplish everyday tasks.
Factors affecting the adrenals include lack of relaxation, negative attitudes and beliefs, fear, anxiety, coffee drinking, job dissatisfaction, improper diet, lack of, or excessive exercise, sugar and products made from white flour, poor eating habits, lack of sleep, smoking, allergies, emotional and psychological stress, the death of a loved one, overexertion, drugs and financial worries.
Here are some tips to bring down adrenal fatigue: breathing exercises, progressive relaxation to release tension, setting aside some time every day for yourself, vacations, proper sleep, short rest periods when you feel lethargic during the day, laughter, exercise to build energy; not to sap it, and proper nutrition.
(The writer is a CSCS, (NSCA), C.H.E.K. and expert trainer)
