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“I’m Just SO Tired!” Five Signs Your Adrenal Glands Need Help

The adrenal glands are small glands that sit above your kidneys, but don’t let their size fool you.  They are a very important part of your body, especially when it comes to energy production and managing stress.  They also work hand-in-hand with:

  • Your pancreas for blood sugar regulation;
  • Your thyroid for metabolism;
  • Your other hormones such as progesterone, estrogen and testosterone; and
  • Important brain chemicals called neurotransmitters.

If you’ve been under a lot of stress or experiencing imbalances in any of the above systems, your adrenal glands could need some TLC.

Five Warning Signs:

1.  Fatigue

If you are having trouble dragging your body out of bed in the morning, suffering a mid-afternoon slump, relying on caffeine to get you through the day, or falling onto the couch in a heap after you get home from work, you are experiencing fatigue.  Better do something about this now, while you can at least still drag yourself out of bed and before this fatigue becomes more chronic and severe.

Your adrenal glands produce cortisol, and normally they should be able to produce a healthy dose for you first thing in the morning, as part of a normal circadian rhythm. This high dose in the AM helps you get out of bed and take on the day.

It’s no surprise then, that the fatigue caused by adrenal gland dysfunction is especially noticeable first thing in the morning.  You may also notice a significant slump in the mid-afternoon, and generally low energy throughout the day.  You may also notice that after you have a busy, high-demand day, or miss a night of sleep, that you can barely function the following day.

As fatigue gets worse, you rely more and more on your thyroid gland to help you out to produce more energy. Soon this gland can get overworked as well.  Thyroid dysfunction and adrenal gland fatigue are almost always seen together.

2.  Trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep

It seems counterintuitive because (as mentioned in warning sign #1), you’re sapped of energy and tired most of the day.  But when you finally get the chance to crawl into bed, you may find that you cannot wind down, or that you don’t get restorative sleep.

 If you are like many of my patients, you feel like you are finally getting your deepest sleep right about the time your alarm clock is set to go off.  After hitting snooze repetitively, it’s time to start the day and do it all over again.

Normally, cortisol levels should fall gradually throughout the day, and be nice and low at bedtime.  If your cortisol level elevates in the evening, or if it spikes during the night, you won’t be able to sleep.

 And here’s the Catch-22: lack of sleep puts additional stress on your system, putting even more of a burden on your adrenal glands.

3.  Craving carbs and salt

When you are under stress and tired, your brain knows you need fuel so that it, and you, can function.  And the fuel it craves is easy-to-digest simple carbohydrates that it can quickly use for energy.

Most patients describe to me that they don’t want anything in the morning except a cup of coffee and maybe a piece of toast or cereal. But then they have cravings and hunger throughout the day. A lack of appetite in the morning is a cardinal sign of blood sugar imbalance, and very commonly seen accompanying adrenal gland fatigue.

The cravings for salt and sugar are a compensation mechanism.  Your body knows that eating will boost your cortisol levels to give you some much-needed energy and make you feel a little less dead.

The problem is that this creates a vicious cycle.  The more simple carbs you eat, the more of the same you crave.  Your blood sugar spikes and then plummets, and the easy, yummy pick-me-up needs to happen more and more frequently.   This causes blood sugar dysregulation and insulin resistance.  Excess weight comes on and won’t come off, and energy becomes non-existent without a caffeine or carb boost.

Adrenal fatigue and blood sugar imbalances like reactive hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), insulin resistance, and pre-diabetes go hand in hand.

The adrenal glands also help regulate sodium, potassium, magnesium and chloride levels in the blood through a hormone called aldosterone. If your adrenal glands are fatigued, you might not be producing enough aldosterone and will crave salt.  Craving salt is a sign of mineral imbalance, and is a tell-tale sign of adrenal gland fatigue.

4.  Inability to handle stress

Are you feeling like everyone and everything seems to be on your very last nerve these days?  Are you baffled at how short your trigger is, and the way your body spirals into fight-or-flight mode at the drop of a hat?

Maybe one of your kids spills his oatmeal right before you’re headed out the door, or someone at work makes a joke that you don’t think is particularly appropriate.  Your logical brain knows it’s probably not that big of a deal, but your body reacts automatically and immediately, sending you into full-fledged fight-or-flight mode. Your heart races, your body and hands tremble a little, your face gets flushed, and you feel like you are about to jump out of your skin. You know it’s an overreaction, but you don’t know how to stop it.

This trigger-effect usually happens when you have experienced a significant stress in the past, and your body has not been able to get back to the normal set point you once had.  You are stuck in high-stress survival-mode and your nervous system is now wired to release excitatory neurotransmitters that signal a surge of cortisol to come crashing out when only a little would do the trick.  This trigger-happy state is not a good or healthy place to live, for you OR your family members, friends, or co-workers.  In addition, this systemic overreaction can plummet you further into the adrenal-fatigue downward spiral.

5.  Decreased sex drive (libido)

When you are under constant stress, sex becomes very low on the list of priorities.  This is because your system is prioritizing other functions it deems more necessary for your survival, and is in the full-time business of making cortisol whenever and however it can.

When your system runs out of raw materials to make cortisol, it starts to steal other hormone raw materials to make more cortisol.  The result is that your sex hormones diminish and become imbalanced, and sex just doesn’t sound so good anymore.

If you have your hormones tested, the results may show low or imbalanced hormone levels.  If you try to supply more estrogen, progesterone of testosterone hormone to your body (synthetic, natural, or bioidentical), your body will likely take these hormones, break them down and try to make cortisol out of them.  This result is certainly not a long-term solution or cure, and can leave you feeling worse than ever.

Your hormone levels should be tested along with your cortisol levels so your doctor can determine if cortisol is running the show.  Getting to the true cause of the problem will likely involve some type of adrenal gland support.

What Should You Do?

The key is to have the appropriate testing done.  Test your adrenal glands along with your other related systems (blood sugar, hormones, neurotransmitters, for example).  Nothing in your body works in a vacuum.  You and your doctor need the complete picture of what your body and brain need to re-balance.

Lab testing can help determine what’s out of balance, and then Dr.Engelbart can customize a sound dietary, lifestyle, and supplement plan to help turn it around.  A simple saliva test can show what cortisol is doing throughout the day, and this can be compared to how your blood sugar, other hormones and neurotransmitters (especially norepinephrine, and epinephrine) are functioning.

NOW is the time to address your adrenal fatigue and start on the road to recovery. Schedule a consult with Dr. Engelbart today.

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CORTISOL: The Misunderstood Stress Hormone

Cortisol has a bad reputation. Dubbed “the stress hormone,” it’s tagged as the causative factor for belly fat and stress-related disorders. And it’s true that excess cortisol over long periods of time can cause breakdown of bone and muscle, and it can lead to fatigue, weakness, and emotional problems. But that’s not the end of the story.

Cortisol plays a vital role during times of stress, and is important for proper immune system function. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects — think of cortisone shots and prednisone prescriptions — and is involved in every aspect of metabolism of our macronutrients (protein, fat, and carbohydrates). In adrenal gland fatigue or insufficiency, LACK of cortisol has been linked to extreme fatigue, allergies, arthritis, weight gain, and low brain function.

Cortisol levels should follow a normal circadian rhythm, with a peak level in early morning, followed by a gradual decline to reach the lowest level by midnight. When cortisol follows this rhythm as designed, we have energy in the morning and can fall asleep easily at night. If it does not follow this rhythm (for example, if it spikes at night time, or does not reach a peak in the morning,) our entire wake-sleep cycle is affected.

So how do you know if your health problem is cortisol-related? And how do you know if it’s too low, too high, or out-of-rhythm? The answer is simple: TEST IT.

Cortisol testing involves a simple saliva sample. We usually ask our patients to do four throughout the day to track their circadian rhythm. We also measure DHEA, which is another adrenal hormone that is very important in staving off early aging, and in balancing the effects of cortisol. If sleep is an issue, we can add melatonin testing to the testing panel. Melatonin is one of the most powerful antioxidants known to man, and has been used to help with other disorders such as migraine headaches.

This is one of the simplest lab tests you could ever do, and the information you get back could be life-changing. Here are a few key reasons to CONSIDER TESTING YOUR CORTISOL LEVELS:

  • Fatigue
  • Inability to handle stress
  • Insomnia (inability to get to sleep or stay asleep)
  • Anxiety
  • Adrenal gland dysfunction
  • Thyroid dysfunction
  • Inability to lose weight or gain weight
  • Osteopenia or osteoporosis
  • Low muscle tone
  • Joint dysfunction
  • Frequent infections
  • Autoimmunity
  • Allergies
  • Brain fog
  • Memory loss
  • Frequent headaches
  • Low mood, mood swings, or irritability
  • Prednisone or cortisone use, current or past

If your symptoms match any of the above, it’s time to take action. Contact Dr. Engelbart today to enquire about testing your cortisol levels.

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Anxiously Awaiting Treatment for Anxiety?

□ Constant worry;

 □ Extreme reactions to stress;

□ Inability to sit still or relax;

□ Insomnia;

□ Trouble concentrating;

□ Feeling that your brain is in constant over-drive even though you are fatigued;

□ Always fearing the worst;

□ Unable to turn off negative thoughts.

If you identify with any of the above symptoms, you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder. And you’re not alone. According to the National Institute of Health, anxiety is the most common health disorder in America, affecting 19 million US adults, or about 18% of the population.

Fortunately, anxiety disorders are highly treatable conditions for the majority of sufferers. Today there are more options than ever, including natural treatment methods that safe and effective for patients who are looking for alternatives to prescription drugs.

WHAT’S GOT YOU SO WORKED UP?

Anxiety is an unpleasant emotional affect, usually accompanied by a physiological sensation that is characterized by worry, doubt, and the painful awareness that one is powerless to control situations. The anxious person is hyper-vigilant, tense and insecure in most situations. Their heightened-negative state can lead to other health problems and bodily complaints, such as depression, chronic pain, digestive problems, insomnia, and cardiorespiratory irregularities that can be particularly prominent in those who suffer from anxiety.

Common symptoms and associated conditions can include:

  • Cycles of depression
  • Fatigue
  • Adrenal gland disorders
  • Tight muscles
  • Restless Leg Syndrome
  • Indigestion, acid reflux, GERD
  • Light or sound sensitivity
  • Attention deficits
  • Trouble shifting attention from negative thoughts
  • Social phobias
  • Muscle twitches or tics
  • Snoring
  • Impaired bladder control
  • Shallow breathing
  • Bad posture

In clinical practice, I have found that people who suffer from anxiety disorders tend to be very sensitive to chemicals, medications, and even some natural therapies, such as deep muscle massage and intense exercise. These individuals thrive instead on gentle and restorative therapies. Special precautions must be taken with environmental chemicals and pollutants and to limit side-effects of medications and even nutritional supplements.

KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DEALING WITH

There are serious medical conditions that may mimic anxiety or accompany anxiety, and these disorders must be taken seriously and treated appropriately. These may include: heart conditions which are frequently accompanied by dread and apprehension; hyperthyroidism; systemic lupus erythematosus; anemia; blood sugar disorders; respiratory conditions, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pneumonia.  All of these conditions can all result in symptoms that can be confused with or cause anxiety. Drugs like caffeine, alcohol, amphetamines, cocaine, and even many medications, both prescriptive and over-the-counter, can all precipitate anxiety attacks.

Most people that have an anxiety disorder have another comorbid (that is, co-occurring and often related) condition, such as depression. Furthermore, there are actually several types of anxiety disorders, and one person can suffer from more than one type. It’s important to realize this because prescriptive medications can work wonderfully for some types, and not well for others. The more you know about what you suffer from, the more likely it is that you will be able to get appropriate treatment for your particular problem.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

There are a couple of things that are good to-dos for just about anyone who suffers from anxiety.  These include:

1.  Low impact, low intensity consistent exercise. Good options include walking and water aerobics (but be careful of chlorinated pools.)

2.  Diet and Nutrition.

  • The best diet is one that is high in protein (such as fish, chicken and turkey) and essential fatty acids (EPA, DHA, GLA, ALA,) and includes lots of vegetables.
  • Avoid caffeine and other stimulants which can be found in coffee, tea, diet foods and drinks, energy drinks, sodas, chocolate, and some pain relievers.
  • Avoid simple sugars, including honey, high fructose corn syrup, and white flour.
  • Avoid excito-toxins (such as MSG or hydrolyzed vegetable protein,) artificial ingredients or sweeteners (such as aspartame,) and preservatives.
  • Dietary supplements should include broad spectrum B vitamins, Essential Fatty Acids, antioxidants, and CoQ10 just to name a few. Your specific nutritional needs should be determined by a qualified healthcare practitioner.

3.  Use natural products in your home for cleaning and for personal care. They have the added benefit of being safer for the environment.

4.  Relaxation Techniques.

  • Breathing exercises
  • Massage (avoid deep tissue work)
  • Meditation
  • Stretching

5.  Counseling with a qualified licensed professional, minister, or other trusted source.

I NEED MORE HELP!

When an anxiety disorder begins to take over your life and affect your work and your personal relationships, further treatment is warranted. As mentioned above, pharmaceutical intervention may be a good option for you. Talk to your doctor about prescribing an anti-anxiety medication or antidepressant.

However, if you’ve already tried this route with limited success, cannot tolerate the side-effects, or are simply looking for a more natural approach, there are other options.

STILL NOT ENOUGH?

There are literally millions of combinations of neurological pathways and circuitry that functional neurologists use to achieve the desired effects. To affect these pathways, we may use a combination of:

  • Feedback from muscles and joints, utilizing specific adjustments and neuro-specific exercises;
  • Light and sound modifications;
  • Balance and coordination optimization (vestibular rehabilitation);
  • Cognitive learning exercises, such as number patterns or visualization techniques;
  • Oxygen optimization techniques, such as postural enhancement, rib and chest expansion, along with breathing exercises;
  • Customized nutritional plans focusing on the fuel delivery, metabolism and detoxification;
  • Targeted Amino Acid Therapy which can include neurotransmitter testing to identify imbalances and to help to optimize the chemicals in the brain (such as serotonin and dopamine).

Since you are a unique individual, you need a customized plan that is perfect for you.  Contact us today to schedule a consultation.  It’s time to tackle YOUR anxiety disorder.