Newsletter:EXHAUSTED? IT MIGHT BE ADRENAL STRESS DISORDER

In nature, when an animal is attacked, it can respond with extraordinary feats of strength and endurance. This is accomplished with the mobilization of hormones – specifically, adrenalin. The same response also occurs in humans, but with a very significant difference. Once an emergency has ended, the animal will recover quickly from the galvanizing effects of adrenalin. Humans, however, live with such persistent stress that, all too frequently, we do not have adequate time to rest and re-set the nervous-hormonal system.

In civilization, we usually face several stresses at once, such as job or family problems or simply the act of driving safely to work. When you add to that financial concerns and environmental pollution, is it any wonder that we are fatigued?

When this fatigue reaches a stage where we can no longer meet the demands of daily life, we call this condition adrenal exhaustion or adrenal stress disorder. It is a functional disorder of the adrenal glands that is primarily recognized by clinical symptoms. These are numerous and may include: depression, suicidal tendencies, asthma, infections, hay fever, skin rashes, colitis, ulcers, arthritis, insomnia, headaches, fainting spells, weight problems, heart palpitations, swelling of joints, learning difficulties, headaches, impotency, aversion to fatty foods, and allergies.

To understand more about this condition, it might be helpful to know how the body’s adrenal system works.

The human body has two adrenal glands, both situated on top of the kidneys. These two parts, known as the cortex and the medulla, secrete different hormones that have profound effects on our health.

The cortex aids in combatting inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, colitis, ulcers, sinusitis, bronchitis, skin eruptions and a host of other painful conditions.

It is the medulla portion of the adrenals that is involved in the “fight or flight response.” Activated when needed, the medulla’s ability to quickly respond to stress by secreting adrenalin represents the core of our survival instinct. It is unfortunate and ironic that civilization has reached a stage where an essential tool for survival has become its own undoing.

One of the pioneer researchers of adrenal exhaustion was D.C. Ragland, M.D., an endocrinologist who called the syndrome “adrenal inertia.” His diagnostic criteria included muscular weakness or tremor, blood pressure instability, cold sensitivity, light sensitivity with aversion to sunlight, low white blood cell counts, and nerve pains migrating throughout the body. To correct this condition, Dr. Ragland advised that “we must feed, add, build up and keep going the patient’s own glands [with nutrition].”

Another early researcher working with adrenal exhaustion was Hans Selye, M.D., who developed the General Adaptive Syndrome (GAS) to describe it. He noted that the adrenal glands can even bleed when under continual stress, and eventually cease to function adequately. Selye called it “the just being sick syndrome,” and found that prolonged physical exhaustion, chemical exposures, temperature stessors, and emotional tensions were the primary culprits.

Selye’s General Adapative Syndrome develops in three stages: the alarm, resistive and exhaustion phases. When exposed to a stressor, the brain sends signals to the pituitary gland which in turn stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete its hormones. The result is a shrinking of the thymus gland and lymph nodes, inhibition of inflammatory reactions and the production of sugar.

The first two stages constitute a natural reaction so long as the body recovers and does not move into the final stage of GAS exhaustion where the body’s ability to adapt is lost. Selye sums it best when he states: “The cause of disease is frequently associated with infection, poisoning, nervous exhaustion or mere age. In fact, however, the ultimate cause of death appears to be usually a breakdown of the hormonal mechanism of adaption.”

Because the symptoms are so diverse, many patients are treated for the wrong conditions such as for depression instead of physical exhaustion or for headaches instead of glandular depletion. Frequently, individuals will self-medicate with tobacco, caffeine, or sugar to restore vitality, usually with limited results.

Not surprisingly, the primary therapy to assist adrenal gland healing is rest. Where constant activity is stimulating to an exhausted system, slowing down life-style with adequate sleep is restorative. The withdrawl of alcohol, sugar, caffeine, cigarettes and other stimulants are next in order. The introduction of anti-stress (adapatogenic) herbs in the diet restore glandular function along with the assistance of Vitamins C and B and Pantothenic Acid. Often, an evaluation of life-style issues, including how we react to situational challenges, can be helpful.

In addition, chiropractic science deals with functional disturbances in the Autonomic Nervous System. Functional procedures such as Logan Basic, Neurovascular Dynamics and Applied Kinesiology can restore nerve flow to all glands of the body, including the adrenal glands.

Adrenal Stress Disorder is a widespread health condition that often goes undetected. A health care professional can assist in the assessment of life-style issues and also recommend alternative options.

Dr, Friedman uses gentle neurological and muscle relaxation methods to promote self-healing. Please visit our website at www.FriedmanChiro.com.

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