What is Adrenal Fatigue?
Those who suffer from adrenal fatigue say that you may be more likely to develop this condition if, for example, you have a stressful job, are a shift worker, a working student, or a single parent.
Symptoms said to be due to adrenal fatigue include tiredness, trouble falling asleep at night or waking up in the morning, salt and sugar craving, and needing stimulants like caffeine to get through the day. These symptoms are common and non-specific, meaning they can be found in many diseases. They also can occur as part of a normal, busy life.
The Theory Behind Adrenal Fatigue
While Adrenal Fatigue is still being studied, the collection of these symptoms, along with a high level of stress, does, in fact, cause harm to the body and its hormonal balance. Stress is known to throw off hormone levels, and fatigue can lead to your body’s stress system being overworked.
This leads to an imbalance in hormonal equilibrium and the negative effects of low testosterone in men. Adrenal insufficiency is a very similar condition that occurs when our adrenal glands cannot produce enough hormones.
Adrenal insufficiency is caused by damage to the adrenal glands or a problem with the pituitary gland, which stress and pressure can surely trigger.
So, while adrenal fatigue may need additional studies to verify, understanding that it can lead to hormonal insufficiency will help you understand when to get a blood test to verify hormone balance in the body.
How Adrenal Fatigue Is Diagnosed
While adrenal fatigue itself cannot be diagnosed, understanding that a person is at risk is critical. The risk factors of stress, poor diet, emotional distress, and others can lead to increased suspicion of hormonal imbalances and lead to the need for testing.
Adrenal insufficiency, however, is a condition that can be tested for with blood and hormone panels.
It is important to understand that adrenal fatigue is more of a theory, while Adrenal fatigue is a proven condition that can be tested for and treated.
How Adrenal Fatigue Is Treated
There is currently no cure for adrenal insufficiency, but treatments can help people better manage their symptoms. The options that are available depend on the symptoms and severity of the condition as determined by a physician.
Hormone replacement therapy is the most common form of treatment for adrenal insufficiency, which involves replacing the hormones that the adrenal glands are struggling to produce.
This is normally done by using bioidentical hormones to gently re-balance hormones while being careful not to flood the system with too much. The hormonal system relies on a very delicate balance of the different hormones, and introducing too much of any single factor can throw off the whole mechanism even further.
When To Speak With a Doctor
If you are not paying attention, adrenal fatigue may be hard to detect.
The most common symptoms can often be confused with either just being tired and also can be written off as another symptom of aging.
If you have noticed that you get tired more easily, struggle with your sex drive, or can’t seem to burn body fat, you may be at risk for a hormonal imbalance condition.
If you are concerned about your hormone levels or simply want to check on your current condition, reach out to one of our hormonal specialists today.
The Dallas Anti-Aging and Wellness is a member of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. Our commitment is to help our patients feel young, youthful, and energized.
We offer bioidentical hormone therapy treatments as well as highly specialized procedures designed to meet the personal needs of our patients and to reverse the effects of aging and energy loss caused by menopause or andropause.
Working with our highly trained and professional staff, you’ll be able to achieve a renewed outlook and regain the vitality of your youth. Our medical director is Dr. Escobar, a Texas licensed physician, has been practicing internal medicine for the last 25 years.
At Dallas Anti-Aging & Wellness, Dr. Escobar has experience with treating erectile dysfunction, balancing hormones with hormone pellet therapy, and has been trained in aesthetic procedures with Botox® and facial fillers.
Dr. Escobar has a warm bedside manner and spends time with his patients listening to their symptoms and is bi-lingual. He is also a member of the Texas Medical Association and the American Academy of Anti-Aging (A4M), where his training specifically focused on endocrinology. If you would like to learn a little bit more about the many life-changing benefits of adrenal fatigue treatment, please click here to contact us today or call us at (214) 646-1523.
