Adrenal Fatigue

What are the adrenal glands?

Your adrenal glands are small triangle-shaped glands located on your kidneys. These glands produce hormones that regulate a number of your body systems and functions, including:

• Metabolism
• Immune health
• Blood pressure

Your adrenal glands are also responsible for producing and secreting the hormones that help you manage stress, which include cortisol and epinephrine.

What is adrenal fatigue?

Adrenal fatigue refers to a condition that occurs when your body can no longer produce an adequate supply of stress hormones due to excessive demand. 

Whether it’s the demands of your job or your family, life is full of many stressful moments. Every time your body is under stress, it releases cortisol to help you fight it. Over time, your adrenal glands may no longer be able to produce enough of these stress hormones to keep up with the demand, which leads to adrenal fatigue. 

Common symptoms of adrenal fatigue include:

• Exhaustion
• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating 
• Low energy
• Depressed mood
• Lightheadedness
• Food cravings

To determine the cause of your symptoms, Dr. Amersi conducts a thorough examination, including testing your hormone levels, to find the root cause so that you not only get symptom relief but also improve your health.

How is adrenal fatigue managed?

When it comes to managing your adrenal fatigue, Dr. Amersi takes an individualized approach focusing on your overall health. 

Treatment may include:

• Bioidentical hormone replacement
• Nutritional supplements
• Healthy diet
• Regular exercise

Dr. Amersi may also offer suggestions on how you can better manage stress and your reactions to various situations to help reduce cortisol production and prevent your condition from recurring or worsening.

What is adrenal insufficiency?

Adrenal insufficiency, also referred to as Addison’s disease, is a rare health condition in which your body doesn’t produce enough adrenal hormones. Symptoms of adrenal insufficiency include:

• Weight loss and poor appetite
• Fatigue 
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain

Adrenal insufficiency is diagnosed with a blood test and requires hormone replacement. Adrenal insufficiency and adrenal fatigue are two different conditions.

To learn more about treatment for adrenal fatigue, call the office of Dr. Amersi or request an appointment online today.