Symptoms

Symptoms

Some symptoms of poor adrenal function include

 1.  Difficulty getting up in the morning.

2.  Continuing fatigue not relieved by sleep. Despite getting a good night sleep, you still feel tired when you get up.

3. Craving for salt or salty foods.

4. Lethargy (lack of energy). Everything feels like a chore, even the things you used to enjoy. Frequently getting up out of a chair requires too much energy.

5. Increased effort to do everyday tasks.

6. Decreased sex drive.

7. Decreased ability to handle stress. Little things that used to never bother you, now get to you.

8. Mild depression.

9. Less enjoyment or happiness in life. Not much seems to interest you anymore.

     Work and relationships feel empty and you almost never do anything just for fun.

10. Increased PMS

11. Symptoms increase if you skip meals or your meals are inadequate. You have to keep driving yourself with snacks, cola or caffeine to keep from collapsing.

12. Thoughts are less focused and fuzzier.

13. Memory is less accurate

14. Decreased tolerance.

15. You don't really wake up until after 10 am.

16. You feel an afternoon low between 3 and 4 pm

17. You feel better after you evening meal.

18. Decreased productivity, it takes you longer to complete tasks and it is harder to stay on task.

 A few diseases in particular have an adrenal component including Chronic fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, ischemic heart disease, hypoglycemia Rheumatoid arthritis and chronic and recurrent respiratory infections.  The tip-off that there may be a low adrenal component to any of these illnesses is when you experience a longer than normal recovery period with decreased stamina and excess fatigue.

There are three general categories of adrenal stress that are typically defined

1. ACUTE ADRENAL DYSFUNCTION  " The Alarm Reaction," or being "Wired"  This is a response to current demanding stressful situations that are causing high amounts of cortisol production without adequate feedback reduction. These individuals may lack an adequate diurnal rhythm as well.   AAD will eventually suppress important immune functions and will often result in increased risk in sickness.
2. Adrenal FATIGUE This condition can be the result of adjustments to an ongoing acute adrenal dysfunction condition or the accumulation of years of mild stress without adequate relaxation and recuperation. These individuals may have cortisol levels in the normal range but they may lack proper circadian rhythm or have reduced levels of DHEA.
3. ADRENAL EXHAUSTION  This is often called "Burnout". This condition has low or very low cortisol levels. These individuals are easily overwhelmed by stress and find that even simple tasks become burdensome.

If you have questions, please feel free to call 518-786-7004 to speak to Dr. Allison Pontius or email her at DrPontius@williamsfacialsurgery.com and she will be more than happy to help you.

Thank you.