Adrenal Fatigue

Feeling tired, stressed, anxious or depressed?

It could be Adrenal fatigue!

Any of the following experiences can precipitate adrenal fatigue:

Increased work/family committments

Relationship breakdown or loss of a loved one

Chronic illness

Match your symptoms!

Anxious or easily bothered by triffles

Depressed

Have difficulty falling asleep & staying asleep (frequent waking)

Wake tired or have difficulty getting out of bed in the morning

Feel tired & exhausted most days

Feel foggy or lack concentration

Women who suffer from menopausal like symptoms: Hot flushes, night sweats, low libido

Experience recent unexplained weight gain (especially around midriff)

Crave salt or sugary foods

More frequent colds and flu or difficulty shaking off a cold

Our ability to cope with stress depends on our ability to adapt

A normal healthy response to stress is the 'fight or flight' response

But if stress becomes too great we are less likely to be able to adapt to the stress. The stress response stays switched on for longer periods of time.

Adrenals are working overtime adrenaline & CORTISOL levels are elevated

A generalized state of alertness presents with symptoms of:

Anxiety

Insomnia: difficulty falling asleep & frequent waking

Poor quality sleep (lighter non restorative sleep)

Thyroid imbalance

Obesity & insulin resistance

Immune suppression (more frequent colds & flu)

Hormonal imbalances (PMS, menopausal like symptoms)

Chronic long term stress can result in Adrenal exhaustion: Adrenals can no longer respond adequately: CORTISOL levels are depleted

A generalized state of exhaustion sets in presenting with symptoms of:

Chronic fatigue syndrome

Depression

Fibromyalgia (unexplained muscular aches & pains)

Impotence & infertility in men

Low blood pressure, dizziness & vertigo

A quick in clinic test for adrenal exhaustion is to

Measure blood pressure with the patient lying down & then again standing

Blood pressure should rise by 5-10mmHg on standing Failure to do so indicates adrenal insufficiency

Saliva testing

An adrenal hormone profile can be tested by collecting saliva specimens over the course of the day

Herbal Medicine is ideally suited to supporting recovery from adrenal exhaustion

with different classes of herbs to strengthen & support different aspects of strees adaptation

Nervines such as oats & passionflower nourish & strengthen the nervous system

Adrenal tonics restore adrenal function

Adaptogens improve our resistance to stressors

Invest in you health today & create a better future for yourself tomorrow!

Call me on 0432 470 720 or email clare@ginkgohealing.com

to arrange an appointment