Long-term exposure to excessive stress (emotional or physical, bad or good) can cause the adrenal glands to produce too much cortisol (the main stress hormone). Over time, the adrenal glands can become exhausted and will no longer produce adequate cortisol.
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.
Endocrine Connection
According to the theory of adrenal fatigue, when people are faced with long-term stress, their adrenal glands cannot keep up with the body's need for these hormones. It is when this happens that supporters of adrenal fatigue believe that symptoms may appear.
Through a combination of nerve and hormonal signals, this system prompts your adrenal glands, located atop your kidneys, to release a surge of hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline increases your heart rate, elevates your blood pressure and boosts energy supplies.
The adrenal glands play an important role in many body functions, including the stress response. Excessive stress can lead to prolonged activation of adrenal glands, and long-term exposure to the stress hormones that this gland produces can have serious detrimental effects on both physical and mental health.
The one and only way to get rid of adrenaline is to burn it off with cardiovascular exercise. Itʼs just like a car burning gasoline. When you do cardio your body actually burns the adrenaline up and gets rid of it! A person suffering from anxiety needs to do at least 30 minutes of cardio-vascular exercise each day.
These hormones are part of your "fight or flight" response. They increase your blood pressure and your heart rate. According to the theory, if you have long-term stress (like the death of a family member or a serious illness), your adrenal glands burn out from prolonged production of cortisol.
Here's why: Cortisol (otherwise known as the stress hormone) is made in the adrenal glands. It's elevated when we experience heightened anxiety or stress, and it's lowered when we're in a relaxed state.
Risk factors for adrenal crisis include physical stress such as infection, dehydration, trauma, or surgery, adrenal gland or pituitary gland injury, and ending treatment with steroids such as prednisone or hydrocortisone too early.
Adrenal insufficiency can be caused by Addison's disease, a pituitary disorder or another disorder. Some symptoms of this life-threatening dysfunction include extreme exhaustion, lack of appetite (leading to weight loss), diarrhea, nausea, low blood pressure and low blood sugar.
Stage 1: Alarm
This first stage is characterized by an increased output of cortisol and adrenaline in response to stress. The body's response is called the “fight or flight” response. As the stress continues, the adrenal glands start to become taxed due to the increasing demands by the body for cortisol production.
This is called an autoimmune disorder. Addison's disease can develop if your immune system attacks your adrenal glands and severely damages your adrenal cortex. When 90% of the adrenal cortex is destroyed, your adrenal glands will not be able to produce enough of the steroid hormones cortisol and aldosterone.
The hypothalamus produces corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) that stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH). ACTH then stimulates the adrenal glands to make and release cortisol hormones into the blood.
A person with adrenal insufficiency feels weak, tired, and dizzy when standing up after sitting or lying down, and may develop dark skin patches. Doctors measure sodium and potassium in the blood and measure cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels to make the diagnosis.
Where Is Pain Caused by the Adrenal Glands Felt? The most common area where pain is felt because of the adrenal glands is the back and sides, otherwise known as the flank. There may also be a secondary pain in other locations if the adrenal glands are suffering from adrenal gland fatigue.
The most common clinical manifestations of adrenal crisis include: weakness, severe fatigue, unintentional weight loss, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, back or limb pain, dizziness, somnolence, confusion, and loss of consciousness [5][49].
Doctors sometimes prescribe beta-blockers, such as propranolol (Inderal), to treat anxiety. They work by blocking the action of epinephrine, or adrenaline.
Drugs such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Valium (diazepam), and Ativan (lorazepam) work quickly, typically bringing relief within 30 minutes to an hour. That makes them very effective when taken during a panic attack or another overwhelming anxiety episode.
These impacts can include high blood pressure and anxiety. Another negative impact of the adrenaline rush is the feeling of dizziness, light-headedness, and vision change. As your adrenaline rush passes, you may start to feel irritable or unable to stay still.
I have personally dealt with adrenal fatigue in the past, and I can vouch for magnesium and cortisol's role in calming stress levels and rehabilitating hormonal systems. Magnesium helps to regulate cortisol levels, allowing for more balanced hormone production which is essential in our fast paced culture.