Adrenal fatigue is a condition when the adrenal glands are not able to produce the needed quantities of hormones as a result of chronic stress or infections. People who experience such a state, feel overworked, burned out, or even dull. Very often the adrenal fatigue is not regarded as a diagnosis, but just a warning signal from the body that it needs some changes.
However, if this condition surpasses the four stages, the doctors will diagnose adrenal insufficiency. So, make sure you control your stress before it turns into some serious condition.
9 Signs of Adrenal Fatigue
1. You Feel Overwhelmed by Life
Most people tend to overlook the importance of self-care for the overall health of the body. They are often stressed, preoccupied with some trivial matters, and without time for themselves.
But take a step back and change the habits. Try to balance and avoid any stress, your body will definitely thank you.
2. Difficulty Sleeping
For a healthy metabolism, people need 8-10 hours of sleep every night. This is an optimal time the body needs for rest, reset, and recovery for the new day. Many people do not practice this routine but keep working all night long. This makes an imbalance in your body and you find it difficult to fall asleep.
However, never it’s too late. You can implement a new healthy habit to bring back the balance. Make sure you go to bed by 10:30, lying in the dark will release melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleep. Also, some meditation will be of great help or some warm bath.
3. Feeling of Exhaustion After Exercise
When exercising, you should feel more energized and vital, but not fatigued or exhausted. The physical stress imbalances the adrenal glands, thus causing many side effects on them and increasing the level of stress.
If you work out regularly, but still struggling with fatigue and extra weight, you should start with some mild form of exercise such as yoga, walking, or stretching.
4. Wacky Hormones
Stage 2 of adrenal fatigue may affect the thyroid gland and cause some symptoms of hypothyroid such as weight gain, poor circulation, dry hair, and many others. When the adrenal glands are not able to handle stress, there is an increased production of cortisol which leads to hormonal imbalance.
Stress on a long-term basis may just worsen the symptoms of PMS and hormonal imbalance. However, adequate sleep, a healthy diet, increased water consumption, and adaptogenic herbs can improve this condition.
5. Anxiety and Depression
Everyday anxiety can affect the adrenal hormones, which are involved in cognitive function, mental states, and mood. The less tolerant you are to stress, the more depressed and more frustrated you will be.
6. Cravings for Salt
When adrenal fatigue affects the hormone balance, people tend to crave salty food. This is a result of the body’s need for sodium and other minerals. The reduced level of aldosterone, the hormone that retains salt in the body, causes low blood pressure, cravings for salt, heart palpitations, and dizziness.
It is of crucial importance to take enough minerals through your diet. You can also use high-quality Himalayan pink salt, seaweeds including nori, kelp, dulse, or some mineral drops.
7. Stiffness and Soreness
When experiencing some stress, the feeling of stiffness indicates that the body needs to recharge. The stress might be reflected by a stiff neck, jaw, or back. You can improve this condition by improved sleep habits, yoga, or some stretching.
8. Increased Consumption of Caffeine Through the Afternoon
Caffeine is not always a good idea, especially for those who need energy because the coffee does not provide you energy but just borrows it. Although it stimulates the energy throughout the day, it reduces the work of adrenal glands and promotes the production of epinephrine and cortisol, the stress hormones.
Regular consumption of coffee will make you feel even more tired than before. So, take some herbal teas, dandelion root, or holy basil.
9. Reduced Digestion
The high level of stress affects the optimal digestion and absorption of the nutritive properties from food. This is further reflected in the work of adrenal glands which make you feel bloated, gain weight, or experience constipation.
If you feel stressed even despite a healthy diet, you won’t be able to absorb all the necessary nutritive qualities from food. Along with such a diet, you should practice drinking lemon water, water, probiotics, and minerals in order to improve digestion.
Via Healthline