TIRED BUT WIRED: IS IT ADRENAL FATIGUE?
With our busy, modern lifestyles, many of us are chronically exhausted, relying on caffeine or sugar to give us a lift, or alcohol to relax us. Adrenal fatigue, caused by long-term stress, is widely believed – by complementary health practitioners and integrative doctors – to be a possible cause. We’ve asked naturopath Chantelle Bell, who specialises in helping women with exhaustion, to tell us more.
WHAT EXACTLY IS ADRENAL FATIGUE?
Adrenal fatigue, albeit a controversial topic, can arise when the body is continually exposed to ongoing stress and the adrenal glands become ‘burnt out’. During times of stress our body secretes a stress hormone, cortisol, this can lead to constant high levels within our body. After prolonged periods the adrenals can no longer support the continual need for cortisol and no longer produce it, which leads to adrenal fatigue.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Fatigue, the feeling of being ‘wired but tired’, anxiety, extreme exhaustion after physical exertion/exercise, inability to cope in stressful situations, brain fog, increased infections due to lowered immunity, muscle weakness, light-headedness and dizziness.
WHAT CAUSES IT?
Stress, stress and more stress! We have such busy lifestyles and are constantly on the go, often multitasking just to get things done. Many of us are so wired that when we go to bed at night, we can’t switch off, struggle to sleep and this prevents our bodies from getting the restful and restorative sleep we need.
, WHO S AT RISK?
That’s a hard one to answer. You might say people who are always on the go and never take time for themselves put themselves at risk of becoming burnt out, but also people who often find themselves overwhelmed easily and constantly stressed out might be more prone to it.
HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?
Doing a saliva test over 24 hours (four samples) allows us to map out your cortisol pattern to see its levels. It is also good to test thyroid function, as cortisol can have a direct effect on our thyroid-stimulating hormone.
DOES IT TAKE LONG TO RECOVER?
It really depends on the individual person. Similar to chronic fatigue, you can relapse if you push yourself too early before your body is ready. Once people begin to get some energy back they tend to overdo it and then can be quite exhausted again for days after that.
WHAT TREATMENTS DO YOU SUGGEST?
Rest is a must, but often hard in today’s lifestyle. Getting at least eight hours of sleep a night is a good start, and make sure you make time each day to rest. You don’t necessarily need to go to sleep, but having a bath, or reading a book or magazine are good ways to relax. Eat foods that are easy to digest and don’t put an extra burden on your digestive system, like soups, stews, and slow-cooked foods. And avoid any stimulating foods such as caffeine and alcohol.
WHAT REMEDIES DO YOU PRESCRIBE?
Herbal remedies I lean towards when treating adrenal fatigue are licorice (not for someone with high blood pressure), rehmannia, rhodiola, withania and Siberian or Panax ginseng. These herbs are known as either adrenal tonics or adaptogens. They help improve the adrenal glands’ responsiveness, increase energy levels and improve mental performance.