July 17, 2011 | 
Author Adrenal Fatigue: What is Adrenal Fatigue?
The hotly debated term ‘adrenal fatigue’ has evolved over the past two decades to signify a condition whereby the adrenal glands lose their ability to produce stress hormones, mainly cortisol, under the duress of chronic stress. The individual posting claim to coining the term ‘adrenal fatigue’ claims:
“Adrenal fatigue is produced when your adrenal glands cannot adequately meet the demands of stress….It is a collection of signs and symptoms, known as a “syndrome,” that results when the adrenal glands function, but not at their optimal level. During adrenal fatigue your adrenal glands function, but not well enough to maintain optimal homeostasis because their output of regulatory hormones has been diminished – usually by over-stimulation.”
Over one century of scientific research has never corroborated the above statements. For this reason, it is important for the millions of people suffering from states of low cortisol (more correctly termed ‘hypocortisolism’) to learn and understand the true reasons underlying their condition.
Thanks to the advances offered by modern medical technology, the true causes behind stress induced low cortisol states has shown that the process through which stress induced low cortisol states occur is sophisticated and complex. The adrenal glands are just one of many organs and structures involved in the stress response system. And as members of a system, they cannot and do not act independently. Other extremely influential factors are command centers in the brain, other hormones, the immune system, genetics, and a person’s individuality (personality type, early life experiences, perception of stress, etc.). To promote the adrenal gland as being an independently functioning, central component of the stress response system is not only inaccurate but also diminishes the true complexity of the neuroendocrinological system.
When a person discovers they have low cortisol, the most important question to ask is why. The reason will never be ‘exhausted adrenals’.
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Tags: adrenal fatigue, chronic stress, hypocortisolism, Low Cortisol | 
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Adrenal Fatigue: What is Adrenal Exhaustion?
The hotly debated term ‘adrenal exhaustion’ has evolved over the past two decades to signify a condition whereby the adrenal glands lose their ability to produce stress hormones, mainly cortisol, under the duress of chronic stress. The result is complete ‘exhaustion’ of the adrenals. One avid proponent of the term ‘adrenal exhaustion’ states:
WARNING: ADRENAL EXHAUSTION AND INSUFFICIENCY ARE NOT RECOGNIZED MEDICAL DIAGNOSES
“The medical profession is far behind when it comes to understanding adrenal gland problems. In 2011, they still do not recognize adrenal insufficiency, adrenal exhaustion or adrenal burnout as real health conditions. This is very sad, as the situation is so common.”
Over one century of scientific research has never found ‘exhaustion of the adrenal glands’ to be the cause of low cortisol. For this reason, it is important for the millions of people suffering from states of low cortisol (more correctly termed ‘hypocortisolism’) to learn and understand the true reasons underlying their condition.
Thanks to the advances offered by modern medical technology, the true causes behind stress induced low cortisol states has shown that the process through which stress induced low cortisol states occur is sophisticated and complex. The adrenal glands are just one of many organs and structures involved in the stress response system. And as members of a system, they cannot and do not act independently. Other extremely influential factors are command centers in the brain, other hormones, the immune system, genetics, toxic exposures, nutrient deficiencies, and a person’s individuality (personality type, early life experiences, perception of stress, etc.). To promote the adrenal gland as being an independently functioning, central component of the stress response system is not only inaccurate but also diminishes the true complexity of our stress response systems.
For those who truly believe they suffer from ‘adrenal exhaustion’, the future is bleak since one proponent of this concept claims, “Most people never recover from burnout”.
Posted in General | Tags: adrenal burnout, adrenal exhaustion, adrenal fatigue, adrenal insufficiency, hypocortisolism, Low Cortisol | No Comments »
WHAT IS LOW CORTISOL? – Hypocortisolism
Normally, the stress hormone cortisol is released in a typical ‘diurnal’ or circadian pattern. It peaks in the early morning hours, gradually declines throughout the day, and reaches its lowest levels during the first few hours of sleep. Low cortisol, medically known as ‘hypocortisolism’ is defined as either an abnormally low (or ‘blunted’) daytime cortisol levels, an inappropriate rise in cortisol after exposure to a stressor, or both.
Hypocortisolism and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Hypocortisolism has been found in up to 25% of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, posttraumatic stress disorder, ‘burn-out’ and chronic pain syndromes.
Low Cortisol and Adrenal Fatigue
Is low cortisol the same thing as adrenal fatigue? Yes and no. Proponents of adrenal fatigue claim that low cortisol occurs because the adrenal glands cannot keep up with the ongoing demand placed upon them by chronic stress. The end result is low cortisol and the symptoms thereof (fatigue, depressed mood, etc).
There is unequivocal evidence that low cortisol states occur and are clinically relevant. However, no medical evidence exists confirming that low cortisol states occur as a consequence of failing adrenal glands or ‘adrenal exhaustion’. Rather, most evidence points to a breakdown in the sophisticated communication circuits between areas in the brain (the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland) and the adrenal glands. Some other reasons include:
• The cortisol message is there but the cells of the body do not respond.
• The adrenal glands cannot make cortisol because they are damaged (i.e. heavy metal toxicity), diseased (i.e. autoimmune disease) or lack an important factor in cortisol production (i.e. vitamin C deficiency)
It is important to understand that low cortisol states are an indication of other underlying problems which must be identified and treated. Assuming the adrenals simply ‘no longer work’ is inaccurate and potentially dangerous if the true underlying cause is not determined.
Posted in General | Tags: adrenal exhaustion, adrenal fatigue, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, fibromyalgia, hypocortisolism, What is Low Cortisol | No Comments »
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