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Today’s modern lifestyle puts constant demands on our adrenal glands.  Over a period of time, continual stress will eventually deplete the health and function of the adrenal glands.  Adrenal fatigue is caused by “stress”, whether it be physical, mental or emotional stress, resulting in a decreased ability to carry out their normal daily function.  Adrenal fatigue is very common, which is why we include it as a major type of pattern seen in patients who are getting help with the “From Surviving to Thriving Program”.  By understanding the underlying adrenal health picture, which ties in directly with a person’s mental health – we can help make a big difference to a person’s stress response and their quality of life.

Examples of stressors that can lead to adrenal fatigue over time:  Anger, a constant state of anxiety, chronic illness, high sugar intake, chronic or acute infections, depression, surgery, sleep deprivation, over exercise, digestive bugs (parasites, yeast, bacteria).

Signs and symptoms:

• Unexplained fatigue
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Difficulty getting up in the morning
• Feeling overwhelmed easily – reduced ability to handle stress
• Trouble coping with every day stresses
• Increased effort to perform normal daily tasks
• Salt and/or sugar cravings
• Feeling most awake in the evenings
• Weight gain and inability to lose it

Adrenal Hyper-Reactivity

The adrenals cannot keep up with the body’s demand for cortisol.  Normal daily functions can still be carried out but with increased feelings of overwhelm, and a great sense of fatigue.

Features:  Increased cortisol and DHEA levels

Common symptoms:  wired & tired, tense, anxious, insomnia, irritability

Adrenal Hypo-Activity

The adrenals are no longer able to keep up with the ever-increasing demand for cortisol production, which is needed to overcome the stress.  As the adrenals become exhausted, the cortisol output declines.

Features:  Decreased cortisol and DHEA levels

Common symptoms:  flat and exhausted, physical and mental fatigue, brain fog, mood swings, altered blood glucose levels, altered blood pressure, thyroid hormones dysfunction

ADRENAL FATIGUE TESTING:

Here at Core Naturopathics, we offer saliva hormone testing to assess a person’s current adrenal function and stress response by measuring levels of cortisol and DHEA in their saliva.  Samples are easily collected by the patient at home over the course of a day and then graphed to determine their state of adrenal health.  When analysing their results, it becomes very quickly apparent how to best support their adrenal health, depending on their cortisol and DHEA pattern.  For a person with a pattern of low cortisol/low DHEA will have a much different protocol than a person with high cortisol/high DHEA.  We support their specific adrenal health pattern with a combination of herbs & nutrients, as well the right diet, sleep and lifestyle recommendations.  And of course, with the iMRS mat sessions to help deeply shift the nervous system.