Adrenal glands are two small glands located on top of your kidneys, which produce various hormones, including cortisol. Their function is to produce hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline, which help the body prepare for fight or flight. Under stress, you produce and release short bursts of cortisol into your bloodstream.
According to the adrenal fatigue theory, long-term stress can drain the adrenals, resulting in a low cortisol state.
Adrenal burnout can result in the following symptoms:
- Insomnia
- Brain fog
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Depression
- Salt and carb cravings
- Weight gain
Adrenal burnout has been identified as the root cause of many complaints that are difficult to treat.
The problem with the term "adrenal burnout," which does not have an official diagnosis, is that it is frequently used to describe a set of symptoms when nothing else can explain them.
Anemia, sleep apnea, autoimmune diseases, infections, other hormonal imbalances, mental illnesses, heart and lung problems, and kidney and liver diseases are just a few medical conditions that can produce similar symptoms. Therefore, if you experience the symptoms above consult your healthcare provider.
Are adrenal burnout and adrenal fatigue the same?
Adrenal burnout and adrenal fatigue are two distinct conditions. However, the similarities between the two outweigh the differences. Adrenal burnout and adrenal fatigue have the same symptoms and share the exact causes.
Adrenal burnout is regarded as the start of adrenal fatigue.
The term adrenal fatigue refers to a group of symptoms that include:
- Fatigue
- Body ache
- Anxiety
- Low blood pressure
- Sleep disruptions
- Digestive issues
- Cravings for salt and sugar
Is it possible to diagnose adrenal burnout?
Suppose your doctor's workup is normal, and you suspect you have adrenal burnout or fatigue. In that case, the doctor will advise you to consider a fundamental question: Why would your adrenals be drained? Examine the various types of stress that may affect you. Many people blame the hectic pace of modern life.
There is no test available to detect adrenal burnout. Often, a person will be diagnosed with adrenal burnout based solely on symptoms. A blood or saliva test may be advised at times. As these tests are not based on scientific facts or supported by good scientific studies, the results and analysis of these tests may be incorrect.
What is the best way to deal with a suspected adrenal problem?
If you have already been diagnosed with adrenal fatigue, ask your primary care physician to refer you to an endocrinologist. Because the symptoms of an adrenal problem can be vague, it's critical to determine if there's an underlying issue causing your symptoms to manage your health properly.
Your healthcare provider will perform a one-hour adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH; a type of blood test that determines how much ACTH you have in your system) stimulation test to assess adrenal function, which is safe and reliable. They will almost certainly look for thyroid problems and diabetes.
After testing for various endocrine disorders and symptom assessment, your doctor will begin working with a multidisciplinary team to determine your problem's root cause.
What are your options for improving your health?
In general, leading a healthy lifestyle may aid in fatigue relief.
Here are some self-help ideas to try:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/addisons-disease/expert-answers/adrenal-fatigue/faq-20057906
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/adrenal-fatigue-is-it-real
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-adrenal-fatigue-real-2018022813344
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