Are You Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired?
Feeling chronically tired? You are not alone. It is one of the most common complaints of modern society. In fact, next to back and neck pain, it is one of the most common reasons patients come into my office. Feeling tired can be the result of overworked adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are responsible for producing several important hormones and are critical to the stress response. The adrenal glands are the first to be depleted by stress, whether the stress is from an emotional source, a nutrient imbalance, or a mechanical problem. When the brain interprets an event as threatening (stressful) the adrenals begin to make specific hormones to deal with that stress. When this state of emergency is maintained for unrelieved periods of time, the body’s reserves become depleted and the immune system is weakened. Long term over-activation of these hormones can deplete the adrenal glands, severely impairing the ability of the body to adapt to stress.
One of the most prominent signs of adrenal gland insufficiency is chronic fatigue. Other common symptoms of adrenal stress include:
A history of low blood pressure problems
Awake after a few hours of rest and unable to go back to sleep
Frequent periods of depression or the inability to think clearly
Nervousness or frustration
Sweet cravings
Become light-headed when meals are missed
Frequent nightmares or panic attacks
When the adrenal glands can no longer effectively deal with stress, they produce these symptoms along with muscle contractions that can be objectively observed. Once correlated with symptoms and physical findings, the nutritional needs of the body can be determined and the appropriate nutrients or change in diet can be used. In some fatigued patients, thyroid problems overlap adrenal problems. Through simple changes in the diet and appropriate supplementation, many people have more energy, sleep better, think clearer and their symptoms of fatigue and low energy are a distant memory.
Dr. Cheryl Kent is a Chiropractor in Winter Park, FL. She also holds a bachelors degree in Nutrition and Food Science from Florida State University and is a certified Clinical Nutritionist. Through a complete clinical assessment, including symptoms analysis and appropriate blood work, Dr. Kent can diagnose the underlying cause and create a treatment plan to eliminate your chronic fatigue. Contact us today to book your Nutrition Evaluation online
