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There’s no doubt that stress can wreak havoc on any professional hypochondriac’s mind or body. When stress becomes chronic in nature, it can really throw the body’s systems out of whack, often referred to in the alternative medicine world as “adrenal fatigue.”
It’s important to distinguish between adrenal fatigue caused by chronic stress and true adrenal insufficiency – like Addison’s disease – that can be serious and should be treated by an endocrinologist.
“When you hear the terms adrenal fatigue, adrenal stress, or adrenal exhaustion, they are all lay terms for the type of fatigue caused by chronic stress,” says Melinda Ring, MD, medical director of Northwestern Integrative Medicine in Chicago. All kinds of stress – emotional or physical – can impact your adrenal system.
The adrenal glands produce cortisol, the body’s major stress hormone. When the adrenal system is functioning normally, your body will experience the usual circadian rhythm in which cortisol peaks in the early morning and declines throughout the day. When you’re under acute stress – like cramming for an exam or preparing for a big meeting – cortisol kicks in and elevated levels help us cope with stress.
But when you live a chronically stressed life, cortisol becomes ineffective, says Dr. Ring. The result is an imbalance in the circadian rhythm. Cortisol that peaks in the evening can lead to insomnia. Low levels of cortisol can manifest in women as exhaustion, irritability, sleep disturbances, weight gain around the middle and cravings. If this sounds a lot like perimenopause, you’re right.
The symptoms of perimenopause and adrenal fatigue overlap a great deal, says Dr. Ring. The adrenals interplay with sex hormones so when one is out of balance the other is affected, too.
What to Do
If you notice a significant change in your fatigue level, seek evaluation by an internist, primary care doctor or endocrinologist to rule out a severe endocrine disorder such as thyroid disease. “Never assume fatigue is just adrenal fatigue,” Dr. Ring says.
If a traditional evaluation comes up negative and you’re still experiencing fatigue and other symptoms, you may want to be evaluated by an integrative medicine doctor. He or she can do a salivary cortisol test and talk about ways to reverse adrenal fatigue.
It might take a month or two to start seeing results, but adrenal fatigue is definitely reversible, says Dr. Ring. “If you make meaningful changes in your life, you can reverse the condition and make your body more resilient for future stresses.”
Lifestyle Approaches
Integrative medicine doctors use the following therapies to reverse adrenal fatigue:
• herbal supplements
• acupuncture
• stress reduction
• nutrition
• physical activity
• yoga
• massage
• energy therapy
To find a reputable doctor, visit the Institute for Functional Medicine, American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, or the Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine.
For more information contact Northwestern Integrative Medicine at 312-926-DOCS (3627).
