Adrenal Health
The adrenal glands are two small, triangular shaped, almond sized endocrine glands which sit atop each of the kidneys, and play a critical role in our overall health. The adrenals secrete more than 50 hormones necessary for life, including epinephrine (adrenaline), cortisol, aldosterone, progesterone and testosterone.
Two disorders often associated with impaired function of the adrenal glands are Addison’s disease and Cushing’s syndrome. Both are relatively rare, however, relevant in understanding the function of the adrenal glands.
Addison’s disease is a profound chronic adrenal failure caused by damage or disease of the adrenal gland, resulting in a deficiency of cortisol. This disease is sometimes called chronic adrenal insufficiency or hypocortisolism. The most important job of cortisol is to help the body respond to stress. Among its other vital tasks, cortisol is partly responsible for:
- Maintaining blood pressure and cardiovascular function
- Balancing the effects of insulin in breaking down sugar for energy
- Slowing the immune system’s inflammatory response
- Regulating the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats
Addison’s disease then is characterized by:
- muscle weakness
- reduced blood sugar
- nausea
- loss of appetite and weight loss
- low blood pressure, which can impact the act of standing, causing dizziness or fainting
- skin hyperpigmentation or dark tanning that is mostly visible on scars, skin folds, toes, lips, mucous membranes, and pressure points, such as the elbows, knees, and knuckles
The opposite of Addison’s disease is Cushing’s syndrome, which is due to overproduction of cortisol. Cushing’s syndrome also results when glucocorticoid drug hormones (such as hydrocortisone, prednisone, methylprednisolone, or dexamethasone) are taken in excess for a prolonged period of time. These steroid hormones are often used to treat inflammatory-related illnesses such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and some allergies. Cushing’s syndrome is characterized by central obesity with sparing of the arms and legs (thin extremities); a round, reddish moon face; buffalo hump; and a protuberant abdomen. Many people with Cushing’s syndrome experience:
- severe fatigue,
- weak muscles
- ulcers
- thin skin
- high blood pressure
- high blood sugar
- Irritability, anxiety, depression
Women with Cushing’s syndrome will often experience excess hair growth (hirsuitism) on their face, necks, chests, abdomens, and thighs and their menstrual periods may become irregular or cease. Men may experience decreased fertility and desire for sex.
Far more prevalent than either Addison’s disease or Cushing’s Syndrome is what many practitioners who practice some form of natural or holistic medicine refer to as “adrenal fatigue”. Adrenal fatigue refers to a state of adrenal dysfunction that doesn’t reach either extreme end of the continuum yet still is affecting an individual’s health. Adrenal fatigue affects individuals at all stages of life: an illness, a life crisis, or a continuing difficult situation can drain the adrenal resources of even the healthiest person. Factors that can make one more susceptible to adrenal fatigue include certain lifestyles (poor diet, substance abuse, too little sleep and rest, too many pressures), chronic illness or repeated infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia, even maternal adrenal fatigue during gestation. Peri/Menopause and Andropause do tend to be times when individuals are alsomore suspectible to adrenal fatigue; when one part of the endocrine system drops in function, such as occurs in peri/menopause and andropause, the adrenal glands have to pick up the slack by producing larger amounts of sex hormones, further taxing the already hard working adrenals.
Symptoms of adrenal fatigue include:
- lack of energy
- depression
- decreased ability to handle stress
- muscular weakness
- increased allergies
- lightheadedness when standing after sitting or laying down
- decreased sex drive
Fortunately, there is much that can be done to help alleviate adrenal fatigue, from lifestyle changes, specific herbs and supplements, iv nutrient therapy, hydrotherapy.. all the things that naturopathic doctors work with in their practice everyday!
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