Adrenal Health:

What is Driving or Overdriving Your Stress Response?

By: Steven D'Antonio ND, AP 

Today's world is filled with many challenges.  The modern family is under a tremendous amount of stress and it is starting to affect their health.  Stress comes in many shapes and sizes including work stress, financial stress, relationship stress, and metabolic stress.  Our bodies are constantly bombarded by one or more of these on a daily basis.  Fortunately, our bodies were designed to handle stress.  The main organ in charge of this stress response is the adrenal glands.  The adrenal glands are triangular shaped endocrine glands which are located on the top of both kidneys and measure about one-half inch in height and 3 inches in length.  When the adrenals start to get fatigued due to excessive amounts of stress over a period of time, symptoms may develop.

The most common symptoms we see in our practice are:

• Fatigue-especially first thing in morning and in late afternoon
• Salt and Sugar Cravings
• Sleep Disturbance
• Body Aches
• Nervousness or Anxiety
• Dizziness
• Hormonal Imbalances
• Weight gain
• Digestive Problems

Lifestyle factors such as staying up late, working long hours, lack of exercise, and excessive caffeine use can predispose you to adrenal fatigue.  Poor nutrition, skipping meals, and lack of stress reduction can further aggravate this condition.  The following diet and lifestyle changes are a foundational for adrenal health:

• Observe a Day of Rest
• Practice Daily Stress Reduction- prayer, exercise etc.
• Reduce your Intake of Caffeinated Beverages
• Eat Regular Meals and Reduce Your Intake of Refined Sugars
• Live Within Your Financial Means
• Establish Regular Sleep Patterns

 

Fortunately adrenal fatigue is reversible.  We offer Natural treatment options designed to support and restore normal adrenal gland function, including nutrients, herbs, and acupuncture.  Our bodies are resilient, and with proper guidance and individualized care you can regain your health.