Adrenal fatigue

What is adrenal fatigue?

Adrenal fatigue is a term for when the adrenal glands are overworked and unable to produce adequate amounts of cortisol and other hormones. This can leave a person feeling persistently tired, stressed, and struggling to cope with daily life.

Some key things to know about adrenal fatigue:

• Symptoms can include fatigue, body aches, salt and sugar cravings, irritability, anxiety, brain fog, low stamina, dizziness, and more. The symptoms may wax and wane.


• It’s thought to be brought on by chronic stress or infections putting too much demand on the adrenals. An acute crisis like a serious illness or accident can also predispose the adrenals to fatigue later on.


• Diagnosis is tricky as there’s no specific lab test for adrenal fatigue. Doctors may check cortisol levels and look to rule out other conditions like thyroid disorders first. Pay attention to persistent tiredness and unexplained symptoms.

• To manage adrenal fatigue, reduce stress through relaxation techniques, gentle exercise like yoga or walking, getting good sleep, and allowing time for fun and connection. Adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha and ginseng can strengthen the HPA axis too.

Here are answers to some common questions about adrenal fatigue:

Is adrenal fatigue an acceptable diagnosis?

Some conventional doctors argue it’s not a distinct diagnosable condition. However, many integrative medicine practitioners say they’ve seen the cluster of fatigue/stress symptoms and found ways to successfully support these patients.

Can you recover from adrenal fatigue?

Yes, with time and commitment to rest, reducing demands on the adrenals, restoring nutrient reserves, managing stress well etc. But it’s important not to keep pushing through severe fatigue as that prolongs the condition.