Mar
22
Written by:
Dr. Cherniawski
3/22/2010 2:31 PM
Adrenal fatigue: The adrenal glands secrete the stress hormones. These include cortisol, adrenaline, norepinephrine, and DHEA. When over worked due to ongoing stress, i.e. work, finances, relationships, schedules, etc., the adrenal glands begin to fatigue and the levels of hormones they secrete become unbalanced. Because stress is so common in today's society most adults and many children have some level of adrenal fatigue. Extreme cases can cause hypothyroidism and Wilson's Disease.
Common symptoms:
- Trouble sleeping
- Fatigue
- Sinus/allergy problems
- Digestive problems
- Sugar or caffeine cravings
- Hot flashes
- Unexplained weight gain
- Ongoing flu or cold
Testing: The most simple and affordable test performed in our office is called Ragland's Test. To perform the test, sit down and take a blood pressure reading. Next, stand up and immediately retake the blood pressure. If the adrenal glands are functioning properly and the hormones are properly balanced, the systolic (top number) pressure will increase 5-10 points. If the adrenal glands are fatigued, the systolic pressure will increase less than 5 points, stay the same, or in severe cases, drop upon standing.
Treatment: The adrenal glands respond well to dietary changes, namely eating a high protein breakfast and decreasing sugar and caffeine intake, and supplementation. Because many stressed people have digestive issues, a chewable supplement is best. It should be high in B complex vitamins and contain vitamin C, DHEA, pregnenolone, adrenal extracts, and a variety of herbs that support adrenal function. Dosage depends on the severity of adrenal fatigue as determined by Ragland's test and by the symptoms. While some people respond well with merely 1 month of treatment, others require up to 6 months.
Dr. Cherniawski's Recommendation: 1) Get tested. 2) If you test positive, get help from a wellness professional who can determine your level of adrenal fatigue and recommend the proper supplementation and dosage. 3) Eat a high protein breakfast and decrease sugar and caffeine intake.
Expected Results: Better sleep, increased energy, fewer colds and flu, improved digestion, improved thyroid health, decreased sugar and caffeine cravings, reduced menopause symptoms, stabilized blood sugar.
1 comment(s) so far...
Re: Is Stress Affecting Your Health?
I found this to be both quite interesting and helpful. For the last 3 weeks, I have been eating more protein at breakfast and in general, and have significantly cut out sugar and caffeine. I have noticed the sugar cravings have practically disappeared, and my sinus headaches, which have always been a regular nag, have been less frequent. I still have the occasional hot flashes, but I guess you can't have everything!
By Monica Berton-Cherniawski on
3/25/2010 6:31 PM
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