Treating Adrenal Fatigue

For people suffering from mental health problems like depression, treating adrenal fatigue it an important part of recovery. The adoption of an 'adrenal fatigue diet' and 'adrenal fatigue supplements', along with other lifestyle and psychological interventions is important.

Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue

Adrenal fatigue can produce a large array of symptoms and some of them are listed below:

• Difficulty getting up in the morning

• Continuing fatigue not relieved by sleep

• Craving for salt or salty foods

• Lethargy (lack of energy)

• Increased effort to do every day tasks

• Decreased sex drive

• Decreased ability to handle stress

• Increased time to recover from illness, injury or trauma

• Light-headedness when standing up quickly

• Mild depression

• Moodiness

• Lack of enjoyment or happiness with life

• Increased premenstrual symptoms

• Worsening of symptoms if meals are skipped or inadequate

• Less focused/ fuzzy thoughts

• Decreased memory

• Feeling tired until 10am, and an afternoon low between 3-4pm. Tendency to get a second wind at night.

• Sensitivity to exhaust fumes, smoke or chemicals

• Dark circles under eyes

• Allergies

• Carbohydrate cravings e.g., breads, sugar, sweets

• Lack of thirst

• Difficulty exercising

• Heartburn/indigestion

• Heart disturbances (e.g., palpitations, racing heart)

• Low blood pressure

• Headaches/migraines

• Sensitivity to light and/or noise

Assessment of Adrenal Fatigue

Formal testing is an important first step in treating adrenal fatigue. A useful test for adrenal fatigue is though saliva testing for the hormone cortisol and, to a lesser extent, DHEAs. Saliva tests for testosterone, oestrogen, and progesterone can also be an indicator for adrenal health.

Saliva samples for cortisol are typically taken a number of times throughout the day (i.e., morning, lunch and evening) and can be completed in the convenience of the home. Unfortunately, this test is largely unrecognised by mainstream doctors although is well accepted in nutritional and naturopathic medicine.

Treatment for Adrenal Fatigue

Effective treatment for adrenal fatigue is multi-faceted, involving nutritional, herbal, psychological and lifestyle changes and, occasionally, medication. Some of the crucial aspects of treatment include:

• Sleep. Intervention aimed at improving sleep patterns is necessary for people suffering from sleep problems.

• Caffeine consumption. Excessive caffeine from coffee and other caffeine-containing products can have detrimental effects on the adrenal glands. Avoidance or minimisation of caffeine is therefore recommended.

• Stress management. High stress places strain on the adrenal glands. A range of stress management techniques can help modify stress levels.

• Exercise. Participating in frequent, low-intensity exercise is important for healing the adrenals. Excessive, intense exercise, however, can be counterproductive.

• Diet. Eating natural, high quality foods are a crucial component of intervention. Eating refined, sugary and highly-processed foods places strain on the adrenals and does not provide the necessary nutrients required by the adrenals. A wholesome breakfast is also a must!

• Regular meals. Eating every three to four hours is important for the adrenals as this stabilises blood sugar levels. This means that the adrenal glands will not have to do extra work to increase blood sugar levels.

• Nutritional & herbal supplementation. Some important vitamins and minerals for adrenal health include vitamin C, B-vitamins, vitamin E, magnesium, and zinc. Important herbs include rhodiola, withania, ginseng, and licorice.

• Medication. When the adrenals are significantly fatigued some people may require prescription medication to help boost cortisol levels. Such medications include hydrocortisone and DHEA.

If you suffer from symptoms of adrenal fatigue then treating adrenal fatigue may be helpful in helping boost both mental and physical health. As always, seek support from a knowledgeable and competent practitioner specialising in the treament of mental health problems.

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