Let’s talk about the adrenals because they are so important to our health especially since we live in such a hectic high stress society always rushing everywhere.
The adrenals are two little organs that sit over your kidneys and control our response to stress and our blood sugar. There are two layers to the adrenals, the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla. We are going to be focusing on how stress effects our adrenal glands and can lead to adrenal fatigue.
When you stress your body goes through three stages, alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. This is the fight or flight response. When this happens our bodies release cortisol which mobilizes carbohydrates and fat for instant energy so we are able to deal with whatever is causing the stress. The problem arises when we are under constant stress and the cortisol levels stay high instead of returning to normal like its intended to do. When cortisol levels are constantly high it can cause all kinds of health problems. Some examples are impaired healing and cell regeneration, imbalances in other hormones, weight gain, low sex drive, sleeplessness, to name a few. Here is a great article on this topic https://www.womenshealthnetwork.com/adrenal-fatigue-and-stress/negative-effects-of-high-cortisol.aspx
There are three stages of adrenal change
1.Acute
2.Adrenal fatigue
3.Adrenal exhaustion
Here are the signs of each stage, you know you are in the acute stage if you have an injury, are in danger, or get stressful news. Your body is preparing the fight or flight response to the stressor. If it is functioning at its optimal level it can take on the stress and get through it to the other side. If not and it is subjected to more than it can handle you will end up with adrenal fatigue. The symptoms of adrenal fatigue are more tired than normal, you may have blood pressure issues, heart issues and irritable bowel syndrome, depression, weight gain to name a few. Here is a great article on the symptoms https://www.jillcarnahan.com/2015/05/17/signs-you-might-have-adrenal-fatigue/ . In stage three adrenal exhaustion you may find you need antidepressants, stomach acid medications, are tired all the time, your hormones are way out of balance.
Let’s look at what causes it.
1.Pregnancy-adrenal fatigue can begin in the womb. In the beginning of pregnancy baby uses moms adrenals, if you are stressed your baby will feel it too. During the end of pregnancy when the babies adrenals are developed if mom is stressed she will start relying on babies adrenals. The baby can be born with adrenal fatigue.
2.Chronic stress is a major problem.
3.Trauma can lead to adrenal fatigue. Trauma can be an accident, surgery, the death of someone close to you.
4.Hormone imbalance, if estrogen is high, cortisol is high.
5.Bad diet choices.
6.Chronic toxicity from heavy metals.
I am not trying to scare you here, it can be fixed! We just need to work on supporting our adrenals and limiting or changing how we react to stress.
I must mention again I am not a doctor just a mom and wife learning how to help myself and family with a passion to share with others. Not here to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Just share what I am learning in hopes of helping others to live a life of health and wellness.
In my next post I will talk about ways to support the adrenals.
Blessings,
Anna
The adrenals are two little organs that sit over your kidneys and control our response to stress and our blood sugar. There are two layers to the adrenals, the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla. We are going to be focusing on how stress effects our adrenal glands and can lead to adrenal fatigue.
When you stress your body goes through three stages, alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. This is the fight or flight response. When this happens our bodies release cortisol which mobilizes carbohydrates and fat for instant energy so we are able to deal with whatever is causing the stress. The problem arises when we are under constant stress and the cortisol levels stay high instead of returning to normal like its intended to do. When cortisol levels are constantly high it can cause all kinds of health problems. Some examples are impaired healing and cell regeneration, imbalances in other hormones, weight gain, low sex drive, sleeplessness, to name a few. Here is a great article on this topic https://www.womenshealthnetwork.com/adrenal-fatigue-and-stress/negative-effects-of-high-cortisol.aspx
There are three stages of adrenal change
1.Acute
2.Adrenal fatigue
3.Adrenal exhaustion
Here are the signs of each stage, you know you are in the acute stage if you have an injury, are in danger, or get stressful news. Your body is preparing the fight or flight response to the stressor. If it is functioning at its optimal level it can take on the stress and get through it to the other side. If not and it is subjected to more than it can handle you will end up with adrenal fatigue. The symptoms of adrenal fatigue are more tired than normal, you may have blood pressure issues, heart issues and irritable bowel syndrome, depression, weight gain to name a few. Here is a great article on the symptoms https://www.jillcarnahan.com/2015/05/17/signs-you-might-have-adrenal-fatigue/ . In stage three adrenal exhaustion you may find you need antidepressants, stomach acid medications, are tired all the time, your hormones are way out of balance.
Let’s look at what causes it.
1.Pregnancy-adrenal fatigue can begin in the womb. In the beginning of pregnancy baby uses moms adrenals, if you are stressed your baby will feel it too. During the end of pregnancy when the babies adrenals are developed if mom is stressed she will start relying on babies adrenals. The baby can be born with adrenal fatigue.
2.Chronic stress is a major problem.
3.Trauma can lead to adrenal fatigue. Trauma can be an accident, surgery, the death of someone close to you.
4.Hormone imbalance, if estrogen is high, cortisol is high.
5.Bad diet choices.
6.Chronic toxicity from heavy metals.
I am not trying to scare you here, it can be fixed! We just need to work on supporting our adrenals and limiting or changing how we react to stress.
I must mention again I am not a doctor just a mom and wife learning how to help myself and family with a passion to share with others. Not here to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Just share what I am learning in hopes of helping others to live a life of health and wellness.
In my next post I will talk about ways to support the adrenals.
Blessings,
Anna
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