Women Are Tired of Being Tired

WE ARE TIRED OF BEING TIRED

We are tired of arguing with the blood tests our doctors hold out in front of us to show that there is nothing wrong. We know that we shouldn’t have to feel the fatigue, low libido, anxiety, depression and even hair loss that have become a part of daily life. In fact, you can even throw in fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, osteoporosis, chronic insomnia, weakened immunity and numerous other symptoms. So if your blood tests are normal, what is going on? Well, it may likely be a gland, and don’t assume it is the thyroid.

ADRENAL FATIGUE SYNDROME

The adrenal glands are essential for our day-to-day ability to handle stress. They adapt to our environment and our sensory awareness, maintaining a constant state of readiness for any stress that our brain identifies. Stress is something that can vary from person to person, including what may trigger a stressful response. Once you decide that something is stressful, the adrenal glands will release a cascade of chemicals into the blood that will alter the function of every cell in your body. This “fight or flight” response is intended for short- term change, but in our present world, it may become a long-term adaptation, changing the very nature of who you are. The adrenals are actually a part of the kidney meridian and, in fact, lie on top of each kidney. The adrenal cortex releases hormones. These hormones control muscle tension levels, blood pressure, circulation, and water retention and maintain your pH balance. They are made from cholesterol, so if you are on the fat-free path, blood pressure medication is in your future. These hormones are also strongly triggered by stress.

ADRENALS AND CORTISOL

The second group of hormones are known as the glucocorticoids, the most important of which is cortisol. They provide your body tissues with ready energy to combat the effects of stress. Once stress occurs, they begin to break down available stores of fat and protein for energy and tissue building. So again, if you have low levels of fat and protein in your diet, your body will cannibalize your own tissue. These hormones also dampen inflammation and depress immune responses. High cortisol levels can exhaust DHEA production. In fact, our very body metabolism is determined by the balance between DHEA and cortisol. If the adrenals are healthy, then cortisol enables a woman’s body to produce progesterone even after menopause, making up for the drop in ovarian function. This can be important, as post-menopausal progesterone maintains emotional balance through a calming action, so low levels can cause anxiety. Cortisol also cycles numerous times through the blood, so its effects, whether positive or negative, can be long term.

THE SEARCH FOR EUPHORIA

The final group of hormones are the androgens, such as DHEA. In females, DHEA is thought to increase sex drive and libido. DHEA also helps with weight loss by maintaining lean muscle mass, but it also increases the turnover rate of bone cells, which can lead to osteoporosis if high levels are maintained over time.

The adrenal medulla is the trigger for determining how strongly we will react to stress. It secretes hormones, known as the catecholamine. These include epinephrine or adrenalin, and nor epinephrine. The presence of these chemicals will produce a euphoric feeling and also will increase heart rate and respiration and decrease unnecessary functions such as reproduction and digestion. But the positive effects these chemicals produced in the first 30 minutes of stress are replaced by negative and damaging changes when the stress is sustained for longer periods of time, and this is what leads to adrenal fatigue syndrome. Adrenal depletion is not viewed by the medical community as a condition that merits significant attention, yet possibly 75% of symptoms begin as a result of adrenal fatigue.

SYMPTOMS OF ADRENAL FATIGUE

Some of the general symptoms of adrenal fatigue are constant tiredness, need for extra sleep, inability to cope with stress, reduced sex drive, body pain, sighing, yawning, recurrent infections, irritability, craving sweet food, irrational anxiety and digestive distress. Many current drugs, such as the statin drugs, can deplete the adrenals. Not only drugs but many substances can stress the adrenals as well, such as caffeine, alcohol, sugar and nicotine. The initial stress will cause the adrenals to go into the “Alarm Phase.” This is a normal period of resistance to the stress, intended to be of short duration, such as 30-40 minutes, and should be asymptomatic. Both cortisol and DHEA increase during this phase. High levels of cortisol will
initially cause an insulin surge, causing sugar cravings.

THE SECOND PHASE

The second phase of adrenal response is one of continued resistance, in which cortisol
remains high but DHEA decreases and we become sympathetic dominant. We are hyper adrenal during this phase, with symptoms that may include anxiety attacks, mood swings, onset insomnia, restless leg syndrome and a generally “stressed” feeling. Due to the higher cortisol levels, many patients experience “epic” dreaming, which is very exhausting. Increased cortisol levels extend the length of REM cycle sleep, allowing less time for delta wave sleep, which is the period of healing, repair and growth. Because of this, healing capacity diminishes and immunity weakens. Increased levels of cortisol also use up our stores of calcium. If there is insufficient calcium that is bioavailable, the body will cannibalize bones and other structures. Higher levels of cortisol will increase prolactin, which can cause a lack of ovulation and increases the removal of calcium from bones. High cortisol increases obesity by increasing fat deposition and the loss of lean muscle mass. It will cause headaches from vasoconstriction, negatively affect thyroid function and will , deplete emotional memory.

THE THIRD PHASE

Phase 3 is the exhaustion phase, in which cortisol and DHEA levels are both low. The person is now exhausted The adrenal is now under-functioning, and the body will enter a conservation mode. Symptoms of this phase are depression, insomnia and exhaustion, all of which can contribute to chronic fatigue syndrome. Low levels of cortisol can bring on fibromyalgia symptoms, impotence in men, panic disorders, infertility, anorexia nervosa, low white blood cell levels and low blood pressure. Sleep will be disturbed by waking up and not returning to sleep, a result of cortisol surges from the adrenals having lost their proper timed response. These surges can be worsened by hypoglycemia issues. Low levels of DHEA can cause recurring infections, arthritis, obesity and early menopause.

BACK FROM THE BRINK

Many people with these symptoms simply lie down under the weight of the stress. They give up, they cry, they feel that life offers nothing for them. Instead they feel that life and the people around them simply drain them. So the first order of business is adrenal tonics, which will conserve cortisol while nourishing and restoring the adrenal glands. Adrenal tonics increase or release available energy from our reserves. They reduce the side effects of corticosteroid drugs and improve regulation of cortisol and DHEA output. They give the adrenal glands a rest by providing temporary energy. At the same time they require high grade nutrition that will provide restoration and treatment for each body system that relies on adrenal function, in order to temporarily spare the adrenals. Providing natural chemistry in the form of herbs, compressed foods and nutritional therapy can bring someone back from the brink. .

SO WHAT CAN YOU DO?

The following is a list of the steps that should be taken to restore adrenal function.

First would be to focus on relaxing the mind. There are many teas and tinctures available to aid in relaxation. Speak to a healthcare practitioner who specializes in Chinese Herbs such as a Doctor of Acupuncture, or a Holistic Nutritionist. Sleep is especially important. To restore nervous system balance. It is important as it is only during sleep that neurotransmitters and hormones are synthesized and normal chemical balance can be restored.

Second, would be to restore nervous system balance. This is where minerals come into play. It is crucial to have the proper balance of minerals such as potassium and iodine. There are many herbs that can also help restore mineral balance as well. Ashwaganda and withania also provide support for the adrenal glands.

Third is to restore adrenal reserves. Herbs such as rehmannia, high grade licorice, eleuthero and ashwaganda help restore depleted adrenals.

Fourth is to balance digestive function. Digestive enzymes including hydrochloric acid, powdered digestive fiber such as apple pectin, bran, cellulose and digestive bitter formula can help normalize digestive function so that nutrients can be absorbed and utilized by the cells of the body.

Fifth and final would be to support immune function. It is essential during the recovery period to prevent the additional stress of illness. A combination of Echinacea angustbiia, and Echinacea purpurea helps regulate the activity of the immune system. Lymphatic drainage can be beneficial during this time to cleanse and remove toxins from body tissues. Galium or Phytolacca decandra are good remedies for this. In severe cases adrenal or spleen desiccate can also be used to prevent further body degeneration.