Are Your Adrenals Tired?

Adrenal "Fatigue" or HPA Axis Dysregulation, Part 1

Have you heard of "Adrenal Fatigue".. It is a real thing, but that's not exactly an accurate name for it. It is starting to be recognized by doctors but they are calling it something else which is a bit more accurate: HPA-D or HPA Axis Dysregulation. The HPA axis is a complicated set of relationships and signals that exist between the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland and the adrenals. This relationship is an absolutely indispensable part of our existence. It’s a complicated subject, and the way that the adrenals, the pituitary gland, and hypothalamus interact with each other has been the subject of considerable research.

I'm going to do my best to give you a bit of information about the Adrenals right now, though. What happens with dysregulation is that the adrenal glands don’t really get ‘tired’ in the way that you might expect. What happens is that, after a period of chronic stress, your body starts to run out of the hormone precursor material that it uses to make certain hormones. As this continues, it becomes more and more difficult for your body to produce the required levels of stress hormones, sex hormones, and other hormones and neurotransmitters. That’s when the ‘fatigue’ starts to kick in, and that’s when you need to offer your body some extra support.

I am already supporting my adrenals with some essential oils that I apply topically and adrenal support supplementation as well.

Here are some symptoms of Adrenal "Fatigue" or HPA Axis Dysregulation
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1. Difficulty getting up in the a.m. after a long night's sleep
2. High Levels of Fatigue Each Day
3. Inability to Handle Stress
4. Cravings for Salty Foods
5. Higher Energy Levels in the Evenings
6. Overuse of Stimulants Like Sugar and Caffeine
7. A Weakened Immune System
Plus 17 more are also possible linked to HPA Axis Dysregulation
Anxiety
Asthma, allergies or respiratory complaints
Dark circles under the eyes
Dizziness
Depression
Dry skin
Extreme tiredness an hour after exercise
Frequent urination
Insomnia
Joint pain
Lines in your fingertips
Loss of muscle tone
Low blood pressure
Low blood sugar
Low sex drive
Lower back pain
Numbness in your fingers / Poor circulation
Weight gain
Next up, I'll share some information I found that will help you support your Adrenals and overall health so you can hopefully avoid dysregulation of these vital glands and system.