Most people have never heard of it, though word is starting to spread. And for good reason. As we get more and more stressed out, adrenal fatigue is becoming more and more common. In this age of multi-tasking and doing three jobs for the price of one, we’re simply wearing out our bodies as well as the very glands that have powered us through many a stressed-out day: our adrenals. The result: Adrenal Fatigue. And burnout.

While your doctor may or may not have heard of it, Adrenal Fatigue is a true health disorder which can affect anyone who has experienced a prolonged period of severe stress, emotional upset, or other traumatic conditions. Other contributing factors may include allergies, diabetes, obesity, toxicity, cancer, menopause, autoimmune disease, chemical sensitivities, chronic fatigue syndrome, frequent infections, chronic anxiety, mild depression, cancer, and other chronic diseases.

The number one cause of Adrenal Fatigue is excess stress. Estimates suggest that as many as 80% of Westerners suffer to varying degrees from the effects of Adrenal Fatigue. However, most of these cases will go undiagnosed, since many people simply believe that their feelings of fatigue are a normal result of simply working too much, and that the symptoms are just something they’ll have to deal with. Unfortunately, many don’t realize that Adrenal Fatigue is a serious issue that needs to be addressed.

Adrenal Fatigue can also occur for other reasons, however. Any time a medication or a medical condition requires the use of corticosteroids or interrupts the function of the adrenal glands, adrenal fatigue can be the result. Since corticosteroids are meant to imitate the function of normal cortisol, their use can cause the adrenals to reduce production – even if they were previously functioning normally. If you experience any of the symptoms of adrenal fatigue after starting prescription corticosteroids, check with your doctor to see if there are any alternative medications that can be used to treat your condition.

So stress may not be the only cause for Adrenal Fatigue, but it’s still responsible for the vast majority of worn out adrenals. Unfortunately, too few people realize the effect that constant, day-to-day stress can have on their bodies and how to deal with or eliminate that stress. The good news is that you can prevent things ever getting to the point of burnout. If you reduce or eliminate the stressors in your life, and if you get plenty of rest, your adrenals will serve you for years to come.

Fortunately, worn-out adrenals are treatable as well. If you suspect that you may be suffering from this condition, share your concerns with your doctor or alternative health care practitioner – he or she will be able to recommend methods for alleviating your symptoms and for helping your adrenals recover, which will hopefully make Adrenal Fatigue a distant memory.

Meanwhile, you can easily see just how serious unrelenting stress can be, and how important it is to reduce stress levels.

For some help with that, download Elisabeth Kuhn’s FREE stress tips report to reclaim your inner calm. And here’s a related article on stress management exercises.

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Tags: adrenal fatigue, burnout, excess stress, stress burnout, stress management