We've all been there. In
times of stress, our bodies go on high alert and suddenly the simply things
that create balance in our lives – like getting enough sleep – seem impossible.
We “hit a wall” and crash into depression, or worse, because our bodies are
spent and completely exhausted. This is called adrenal fatigue and is the
results of our primal “fight or flight” stress response never letting down.
Our adrenal glands kick all
systems into high gear when we're stressed. As their name implies, the adrenal
glands secrete adrenaline among other potent hormones. Located just above the
kidneys, it is the basic task of the adrenal glands to respond to stress by
rushing your whole body into “fight or flight” mode.
This means our adrenal gland
either signal our body to rage against whatever illness or irritant is causing
the stress or to flee to a safe place where the stress can be avoided. For
instance, to fight, our adrenal glands signal the heart to work harder, increasing
the heart rate and elevating blood pressure. Energy use increases immediately
as demands on the body's stores increase under the influence of the adrenal
hormones. Then, when the crisis is abated, the adrenal glands restore
themselves and replenish energy supplies for the next emergency.
If we are constantly
over-worked, undernourished and chronically exposed to toxins with no sign of a
break, then there's no let-up for the adrenal glands. Eventually, they will
bottom out and plummet into adrenal exhaustion. Adrenal fatigue occurs when the adrenal glands
are not longer able to adapt to any amount of stress.
When this happens,
the effects can be widespread and long-lasting, causing suppression of the
immune system, hormonal imbalance, skin flare-ups, autoimmune diseases and mood
disorders. Adrenal fatigue is, indeed, the underlying factor in many
stress-related conditions ranging from cardiovascular disease, to colitis,
chronic fatigue to Alzheimer's.
People with
adrenal exhaustion or chronic fatigue can appear quite normal, but inside they
live with a feeling of always having to push themselves too far. To keep
themselves going, these exhausted people rely on stimulants such as caffeine or
sugar.
Often, people
with worn out adrenal glands seem lazy or unmotivated but quite the opposite is
true – they tend to be high-achiever or workaholics. In their state of adrenal
exhaustion, unfortunately, they have to push themselves harder to merely
accomplish the basic tasks.
Does this sound
like someone you know? If so, find out more about ways to heal adrenal
exhaustion and restore relaxation and vitality.
References
The SuperStress Solution by
Roberta Lee. Random House, New York, 2010.
