Adrenal Dysfunction
Your adrenal glands play a central role in your endocrine system when it comes to regulating and reacting to your body’s stress levels. When they are functioning properly, you are able to effectively accommodate and react to the day-to-day stresses that you encounter.
Adrenal fatigue is a relatively new term, not yet termed as an official medical diagnosis, but manifests as body aches, fatigue, nervousness, and sleep disturbances.
The adrenals, a set of important glands that rest on top of your kidneys, are in charge of regulating important stress hormones like cortisol, responsible for the “fight of flight” response and other stress hormones like epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline).
When your stress response is not balanced, the ability to turn these hormones “on and off” can wreak havoc with your energy levels.
Due to illness, chronic low-grade stress and other factors, your adrenal glands may be overworked, causing feelings of intense fatigue and exhaustion even after a full night’s sleep.
Without proper regulation from your endocrine system, you may feel unable to cope with normal everyday stress or even handle the normal activities of life.
Craving salty or sweet foods is not uncommon, as a way to refuel fast, since the body is searching to upgrade energy any way it can. Additionally, adrenal dysfunction can result in more than just decreased energy, it can also cause low libido, weight gain, increased PMS/menopausal symptoms, constipation, and a weakened immune system.
Many physicians will overlook the adrenal glands and monitoring cortisol levels in favor of other diagnoses. However, At Modern Health KC I take the time to hear your full story and put together all the signs of adrenal fatigue. Next, I and will order you an Adrenal Stress Index. This test will monitor your cortisol levels over a 24-hour period and help identify if the symptoms you’re suffering from are due to compromised adrenal gland function.
If you have been experiencing symptoms that may be connected with adrenal dysfunction and are looking for answers, schedule an appointment with Modern Health KC today!