We all know what ‘running on adrenalin’ feels like; it seems to be an accepted part of our busy modern life. Fatigue is a common side effect of this type of stress; in fact, it is so common that people often learn to accept low energy levels without questioning if it is normal to feel tired all the time.

Fundamentally, we are not designed to operate under continuous stress; a busy job, heavy social schedule and family commitments, a long commute, lack of sleep and even pushing yourself to exercise when you are already feeling exhausted, can just add to the burden. Our nutritional requirements skyrocket during times of stress and often our diet alone cannot meet the demand.

The adrenal gland is designed to release a tsunami of stress hormones, including cortisol and DHEA along with adrenalin, when we are under direct physical threat. These hormones have powerful effects on the body, they liberate fuel stores and increase heart rate and blood pressure so we have enough reserves to either fight or flee from danger. This is very useful if your life is in actual danger, however this is rarely the case in a modern world. The adrenal glands have the same response regardless of the type of stress we experience; the only difference is the levels of response.

When this type of low-grade stress is continuous over a period of time our health can suffer and the function of the adrenal gland can be affected. People with adrenal fatigue may experience a range of symptoms, as hormone levels start to become unstable. Often we see people who are exhausted in the morning and feel wired at night and have difficulty sleeping, this is a typical pattern. However people may not realise that adrenal problems can be related to a range of symptoms and several health conditions.

Signs and symptoms

• Fatigue
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Acne
• Hirsutism
• Panic attacks
• PCOS
• Insulin resistance
• Obesity
• Infertility
• Sugar and/or salt cravings
• Allergies
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic fatigue
• Hypoglycaemia
• Impotence
• Low libido

Assessing and supporting adrenal health

We focus on identifying and treating the cause of your fatigue to ensure you have the energy and vitality to get the most out of your health. Testing for Adrenal Fatigue is simple and non-invasive. We use functional pathology salivary hormone testing which provides clear information about your adrenal health. Depending on your health history and current symptoms we may also conduct a number of screening testing in clinic to assess inflammation, hydration and nutritional status, all of which can impact on fatigue.

These results allow us to individualise your treatment that will revolve around stress management, specific nutrition interventions, adaptogen herbal medicines and long-term planning to prevent relapse.

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