In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleWhat Is Adrenal Fatigue?Causes of Adrenal FatigueSymptoms of Adrenal FatigueTreatment and Management of Adrenal FatigueDiagnosis Adrenal FatigueThe Bottom Line
In This ArticleView All
View All
In This Article
What Is Adrenal Fatigue?
Causes of Adrenal Fatigue
Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue
Treatment and Management of Adrenal Fatigue
Diagnosis Adrenal Fatigue
The Bottom Line
Close
Photo:Getty Images
Getty Images
Adrenal fatigue is a term you might hear tossed around when talking about the wear-and-tear of daily stress. In simple terms, it’s what some folks believe happens when your adrenal glands, those tiny hat-like organs sitting on top of your kidneys, get overworked from the relentless pressure and stress of our go-go-go lifestyle. As the adrenals start to lag, the thinking goes, you feel persistently tired and you just don’t feel like your sparkly self.
It’s not officially recognized in the medical world, but adrenal fatigue is a way for us to put a name to that all-too-familiar run-down feeling that comes from juggling too much for too long.
If you are curious about what adrenal fatigue really means, what causes it and what you can do about it, you have come to the right place. We asked dietitians to share some insight about this trending topic to help set the record straight.
Adrenal fatigue is a term that has been getting a lot of attention in the wellness world. And there is some debate about what it actually means. “While ‘adrenal fatigue’ isn’t an actual medical diagnosis, and it’s not an entirely accurate description of what’s happening, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction and its symptoms are very much real,” saysMelissa Groves Azzaro, RDN, owner of The Hormone Dietitian.
To learn more about what’s going on, we’ll have to back up to understand what hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction means.
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a complex network of interactions among three key components: the hypothalamus (a part of the brain), the pituitary gland (a small gland at the base of the brain) and the adrenal glands (located on top of your kidneys).
In simple terms, HPA-axis dysfunction is when this stress-management system is out of balance, leading to various health problems. This happens in two phases, explains Azzaro:
When someone is in this burnout phase (when adrenals are producing less stress hormones), they may feel constantly exhausted despite getting enough sleep, says Azzaro. “They often feel like they never really ‘wake up’ and are struggling to get through the day with low energy and motivation. They may feel overwhelmed and weepy,” she adds.
Under normal circumstances, the adrenal glands secrete cortisol to help us manage stress. However, with unrelenting stress, these glands are forced to work overtime, which can impair their function.Low adrenal hormone productionfollowing a viral illness may be another cause of lasting fatigue, adds Azzaro.
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Despite the fact that the medical community doesn’t recognize the term “adrenal fatigue,” you may still be suffering from the effects of chronic stress. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your health care provider to determine the root cause and treat it accordingly.
Tiredness and Fatigue
One of the most telling symptoms of adrenal health concerns is anoverwhelming sense of tiredness and fatiguethat doesn’t seem to go away with rest or sleep. This isn’t just the garden-variety weariness after a long day; it’s a bone-deep exhaustion that infiltrates every aspect of a person’s life, making even simple tasks seem herculean. Despite getting adequate sleep, you may wake up feeling just as tired as when you went to bed. This pervasive fatigue can significantly impair concentration, productivity and overall quality of life, leading to a frustrating cycle of unrefreshed rest and unproductive days.
Sleep Disturbance
Yes, you feel overwhelmingly tired throughout the day, but you still have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep at night. This inconsistency in sleep patterns exacerbates exhaustion because you’re not getting good sleep quality. Consequently, this lack of restorative sleep not only perpetuates daytime fatigue but also contributes to a heightened sense of stress and irritability, fueling the cycle of adrenal strain.
Eating More Salty and Sugary Foods
Poor Immune Response
Ongoing stress in adrenal fatigue can lead to a compromised immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections, colds and other illnesses. This occurs because adrenal insufficiency can dampen the body’s inflammatory response, which is essential to fight infections and help repair the body. Consequently, you may find that you’re sick more frequently or take longer than usual to recover from minor illnesses, adding yet another layer of strain to an already taxed system.
Although adrenal fatigue isn’t a medical term, healthy lifestyle habits can help you get back on track. Under the guidance of a health care professional, here are some steps to consider:
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EatingWell.com, April 2024
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SourcesEatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Cadegiani FA, Kater CE.Adrenal fatigue does not exist: a systematic review.BMC Endocrine Disorders. 2016;16(1):48. doi: 10.1186/s12902-016-0128-4Durcan E, Hacioglu A, Karaca Z, Unluhizarci K, Gonen MS, Kelestimur F.Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis Function and Adrenal Insufficiency in COVID-19 Patients.Neuroimmunomodulation. 2023;30(1):215-225. doi: 10.1159/000534025Inslicht SS, Rao MN, Richards A, O’Donovan A, Gibson CJ, Baum T, Metzler TJ, Neylan TC.Sleep and hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis responses to metyrapone in posttraumatic stress disorder.Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2018;88:136-143. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.12.002.Morris MJ, Na ES, Johnson AK.Salt craving: the psychobiology of pathogenic sodium intake.Physiology & Behavior.2008;94(5):709-21. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2008.04.008.Ishikawa Y, Furuyashiki T.The impact of stress on immune systems and its relevance to mental illness.Neuroscience Research.2022;175:16-24. doi: 10.1016/j.neures.2021.09.005.Mohd Azmi NAS, Juliana N, Azmani S, Mohd Effendy N, Abu IF, Mohd Fahmi Teng NI, Das S.Cortisol on Circadian Rhythm and Its Effect on Cardiovascular System.International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021;18(2):676. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18020676
Sources
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Cadegiani FA, Kater CE.Adrenal fatigue does not exist: a systematic review.BMC Endocrine Disorders. 2016;16(1):48. doi: 10.1186/s12902-016-0128-4Durcan E, Hacioglu A, Karaca Z, Unluhizarci K, Gonen MS, Kelestimur F.Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis Function and Adrenal Insufficiency in COVID-19 Patients.Neuroimmunomodulation. 2023;30(1):215-225. doi: 10.1159/000534025Inslicht SS, Rao MN, Richards A, O’Donovan A, Gibson CJ, Baum T, Metzler TJ, Neylan TC.Sleep and hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis responses to metyrapone in posttraumatic stress disorder.Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2018;88:136-143. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.12.002.Morris MJ, Na ES, Johnson AK.Salt craving: the psychobiology of pathogenic sodium intake.Physiology & Behavior.2008;94(5):709-21. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2008.04.008.Ishikawa Y, Furuyashiki T.The impact of stress on immune systems and its relevance to mental illness.Neuroscience Research.2022;175:16-24. doi: 10.1016/j.neures.2021.09.005.Mohd Azmi NAS, Juliana N, Azmani S, Mohd Effendy N, Abu IF, Mohd Fahmi Teng NI, Das S.Cortisol on Circadian Rhythm and Its Effect on Cardiovascular System.International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021;18(2):676. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18020676
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
Cadegiani FA, Kater CE.Adrenal fatigue does not exist: a systematic review.BMC Endocrine Disorders. 2016;16(1):48. doi: 10.1186/s12902-016-0128-4Durcan E, Hacioglu A, Karaca Z, Unluhizarci K, Gonen MS, Kelestimur F.Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis Function and Adrenal Insufficiency in COVID-19 Patients.Neuroimmunomodulation. 2023;30(1):215-225. doi: 10.1159/000534025Inslicht SS, Rao MN, Richards A, O’Donovan A, Gibson CJ, Baum T, Metzler TJ, Neylan TC.Sleep and hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis responses to metyrapone in posttraumatic stress disorder.Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2018;88:136-143. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.12.002.Morris MJ, Na ES, Johnson AK.Salt craving: the psychobiology of pathogenic sodium intake.Physiology & Behavior.2008;94(5):709-21. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2008.04.008.Ishikawa Y, Furuyashiki T.The impact of stress on immune systems and its relevance to mental illness.Neuroscience Research.2022;175:16-24. doi: 10.1016/j.neures.2021.09.005.Mohd Azmi NAS, Juliana N, Azmani S, Mohd Effendy N, Abu IF, Mohd Fahmi Teng NI, Das S.Cortisol on Circadian Rhythm and Its Effect on Cardiovascular System.International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021;18(2):676. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18020676
Cadegiani FA, Kater CE.Adrenal fatigue does not exist: a systematic review.BMC Endocrine Disorders. 2016;16(1):48. doi: 10.1186/s12902-016-0128-4
Durcan E, Hacioglu A, Karaca Z, Unluhizarci K, Gonen MS, Kelestimur F.Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis Function and Adrenal Insufficiency in COVID-19 Patients.Neuroimmunomodulation. 2023;30(1):215-225. doi: 10.1159/000534025
Inslicht SS, Rao MN, Richards A, O’Donovan A, Gibson CJ, Baum T, Metzler TJ, Neylan TC.Sleep and hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis responses to metyrapone in posttraumatic stress disorder.Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2018;88:136-143. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.12.002.
Morris MJ, Na ES, Johnson AK.Salt craving: the psychobiology of pathogenic sodium intake.Physiology & Behavior.2008;94(5):709-21. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2008.04.008.
Ishikawa Y, Furuyashiki T.The impact of stress on immune systems and its relevance to mental illness.Neuroscience Research.2022;175:16-24. doi: 10.1016/j.neures.2021.09.005.
Mohd Azmi NAS, Juliana N, Azmani S, Mohd Effendy N, Abu IF, Mohd Fahmi Teng NI, Das S.Cortisol on Circadian Rhythm and Its Effect on Cardiovascular System.International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021;18(2):676. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18020676
