Adrenal Fatigue / Adrenal Exhaustion

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Adrenal Fatigue / Adrenal Exhaustion

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(http://thyroid.about.com/cs/endocrinology/a/adrenalfatigue.htm?nl=1)

From _Mary Shomon_ (http://thyroid.about.com/mbiopage.htm) ,

 

May 2003 -- One common condition that frequently accompanies thyroid

problems is adrenal exhaustion, also known as adrenal fatigue.

 

About the Adrenal Glands

 

Your two adrenal glands are small, triangular-shaped endocrine glands

located on the top of each kidney. Each adrenal gland is approximately 3 inches

wide, and a half inch high.

 

Each gland is divided into an outer cortex and an inner medulla. The cortex

and medulla of the adrenal gland secrete different hormones. The adrenal

cortex is essential to life, but the medulla may be removed with no

life-threatening effects.

 

Hormones of the Adrenal Cortex

 

The adrenal cortex consists of three different regions, with each region

producing a different group or type of hormones.

 

Chemically, all the cortical hormones are considered steroids.

 

Mineralocorticoids are secreted by the outermost region of the adrenal

cortex. The principal mineralocorticoid is aldosterone, which acts to conserve

sodium ions and water in the body.

 

Glucocorticoids are secreted by the middle region of the adrenal cortex. The

principal glucocorticoid is cortisol, which increases blood glucose levels.

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The third group of steroids secreted by the adrenal cortex is the

gonadocorticoids, or sex hormones. These are secreted by the innermost region.

Male

hormones, androgens, and female hormones, estrogens, are secreted in minimal

amounts in both sexes by the adrenal cortex, but their effect is usually masked

by the hormones from the testes and ovaries. In females, the masculinization

effect of androgen secretion may become evident after menopause, when

estrogen levels from the ovaries decrease.

 

Hormones of the Adrenal Medulla

 

The adrenal medulla develops from neural tissue and secretes two hormones,

epinephrine and norepinephrine. These two hormones are secreted in response to

stimulation by sympathetic nerve, particularly during stressful situations.

A lack of hormones from the adrenal medulla produces no significant effects.

Hypersecretion, usually from a tumor, causes prolonged or continual

sympathetic responses.

 

Do You Have Adrenal Fatigue?

 

When the adrenal glands are not functionining optimally, you can have a

condition that is known as adrenal fatigue, or adrenal exhaustion. Adrenal

fatigue often develops after periods of intense or lengthy physical or

emotional

stress, when overstimulation if the glands leave them unable to meet your

body's needs.

 

Some other names for the syndrome include non-Addison's hypoadrenia,

sub-clinical hypoadrenia, hypoadrenalism, and neurasthenia.

 

Symptoms include:

* excessive fatigue and exhaustion

* non-refreshing sleep (you get sufficient hours of sleep, but wake

fatigued)

* overwhelmed by or unable to cope with stressors

* feeling rundown or overwhelmed

* craving salty and sweet foods

* you feel most energetic in the evening

* a feeling of not being restored after a full night's sleep or having

sleep disturbances

* low stamina, slow to recover from exercise

* slow to recover from injury, illness or stress

* difficulty conce