![]() This chronic stress keeps the adrenal glands on constant alert, producing cortisol too often and too much. This disruption is often a result of chronic stress in one’s life, due to high-pressure work environments, relational issues, poor diet, trauma or more. Unfortunately, some can suffer from a disruption of this cortisol hormone, resulting in a disruption of the circadian cycle. In a healthy individual, this allows for a balanced sleep and wake cycle. Our bodies produce cortisol on a 24-hour cycle, signaling wake time and sleep time so we naturally receive the rest we need each night and consequently the energy we need to get through each day.Ĭortisol production reaches its peak mid-morning, around 10 AM, and then tapers off to its lowest point around 10 PM. But cortisol, when balanced, plays an important role in our health. ![]() That’s a mouthful, so for the ease of our writing and your reading, we’ll just stick with adrenal fatigue! The Role of Cortisol in Adrenal FatigueĪdrenal fatigue is a condition in which your adrenal glands are not producing the right amount of hormones, noticeably the stress hormone cortisol, because the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is not firing correctly.Ĭortisol has been given a bad rap in the past few decades, as it is most commonly known as the stress hormone that causes weight gain. This condition is more scientifically referred to as HPA axis dysregulation. The term adrenal fatigue is not readily used in medical circles because it’s actually not a “fatigue” of the adrenal glands. Let’s first take a look at adrenal fatigue. Sleep disorders can be caused by a variety of factors, but a common question we hear regarding this issue is “Does adrenal fatigue cause insomnia?” What is Adrenal Fatigue When we are not getting regular sleep, there is something wrong. When our bodies are aligned, we will get regular, healthy sleep. All you can think about is the continued problems your lack of sleep will cause the next day – energy levels, mental focus, mood swings, etc. You’re tired and exhausted, yet your body refuses to fall asleep. If you’ve ever found yourself bemoaning your inability to sleep in the middle of the night, you know how frustrating this problem can be. “The adrenal glands are the glands of stress, but are the first glands to fail under stressful conditions.I can’t sleep. We understand the appropriate testing methods and treatment options for adrenal dysfunction – and know the important role properly functioning adrenal glands play in improving one’s health. The physicians of Marin Natural Medicine Clinic are experts in adrenal disorders. Improve your energy with proper treatment. Unfortunately, conventional medicine only recognizes an autoimmune condition that causes complete adrenal failure called Addison’s Disease and essentially doesn’t treat a range of adrenal dysfunction. Most adrenal disorders go untreated.Īdrenal dysfunction can occur anywhere along a spectrum, from mild adrenal insufficiency to full-blown adrenal failure. In a self-perpetuating cycle, chronic disease conversely contributes to adrenal fatigue. Adrenal fatigue also plays a role in many other health concerns such as allergies, hypoglycemia, lightheadedness, food cravings, PMS and menopausal disorders, fibromyalgia, poor immunity, insomnia, autoimmune conditions, accelerated aging, environmental sensitivities, and of course, chronic fatigue syndrome. When the adrenal glands become fatigued from constant stress, you feel fatigued as well. ![]() ![]() Adrenal fatigue can lead to chronic disease. Nowadays, we can be under stress from morning until night, and sometimes even during sleep. Historically, human stressors came in shorter bursts. And with chronic stressors, our adrenals can go into overdrive until they eventually decline in function. With exposure to stressors (emotional, physical, environmental, or perceived stimuli), our adrenals go to work. Modern lifestyles have had greater impact on the adrenal glands than any other system in the body. Levels taper throughout the day and should be lowest at bedtime to allow you to fall asleep. Your body produces more cortisol in the morning to wake you and get you going for the day. The main adrenal hormone, cortisol, plays a major role in your energy level. Vital to your endocrine system, your two adrenal glands are located on top of your kidneys and are primarily responsible for releasing hormones in response to stress. ![]()
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