Symptoms of adrenal insufficiency include fatigue, muscle weakness, loss of appetite and abdominal pain.
Despite their size, these organs are very busy regulating many reactions in the body. Most know these glands as our "fight or flight" glands. When we get frightened, these glands produce adrenaline which turbo-charges our muscles to move!
Adrenal fatigue isn't an accepted medical diagnosis. It is a lay term applied to a collection of nonspecific symptoms, such as body aches, fatigue, nervousness, sleep disturbances and digestive problems.
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.
The most common symptoms are fatigue, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss, and abdominal pain. Adrenal insufficiency can be caused by autoimmune disease or suddenly stopping steroid medicines used to treat other conditions, among other causes.
Typically, the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis recovers after cessation of glucocorticoids, but the timing of recovery can be variable and can take anywhere from 6–12 months.
ACTH Stimulation Test This is the most specific test for diagnosing adrenal insufficiency. Blood cortisol levels are measured before and after a synthetic form of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), a hormone secreted from the anterior pituitary, is given by injection.
Adrenal fatigue is thought to occur when the adrenals have been overworked to a degree that they can no longer secrete levels of cortisol that are adequate for optimal function. Potential stressors include environmental and dietary influences, as well as anxiety and emotional stresses.
The adrenal fatigue theory suggests that prolonged exposure to stress could drain the adrenals leading to a low cortisol state. The adrenal depletion would cause brain fog, low energy, depressive mood, salt and sweet cravings, lightheadedness, and other vague symptoms.
A low cortisol response to stress is associated with musculoskeletal pain combined with increased pain sensitivity in young adults: a longitudinal cohort study.
People with adrenal fatigue should do some form of physical activity. Exercise with adrenal fatigue promotes heart health and aerobic capacity while having a beneficial impact on your entire body. However, you do need to keep begin slowly and easily.
Stress can make chronic pain worse. Stress causes your muscles to tense or spasm, which increases pain. When you feel stressed, levels of the hormone cortisol rise. This can cause inflammation and pain over time.
Symptoms of Addison's disease
lack of energy or motivation (fatigue) muscle weakness. low mood. loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss.
Neurological System Dysfunction. Adrenal Fatigue can lead to insomnia, sleep disorders, brain fog, anxiety and depression if the central nervous system is involved.
Different types of adrenal insufficiency have different causes. The most common cause of adrenal insufficiency overall is suddenly stopping corticosteroids after taking them for a long time.
Fatigue reduces, palpitation frequently dissipates, and anxiety attack diminishes. Blood pressure starts to stabilize, brain fog starts to dissipate, and functional sleep returns. There might be mini-crashes and setbacks from time to time that last a few days.
Gastroenteritis and Syndrome of Inappropriate Secretion of Antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) are the most frequent reported misdiagnosis in patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI).
An adrenal crisis may be difficult to diagnose because it shares many symptoms with other common conditions. However, the following tests can help your healthcare provider properly diagnose an adrenal crisis: Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) blood test. Blood sugar tests.
Low levels of cortisol can cause weakness, fatigue, and low blood pressure. You may have more symptoms if you have untreated Addison's disease or damaged adrenal glands due to severe stress, such as from a car accident or an infection. These symptoms include sudden dizziness, vomiting, and even loss of consciousness.