Adrenal fatigue syndrome: signs and treatment

Stress and the adrenal glands

The adrenal glands are paired endocrine glands located on top of each kidney. The glands have triangular and semilunar shapes. Each adrenal gland consists of two layers: the cortex and the medulla. The cortical layer synthesizes the hormones cortisol, aldosterone and a small amount of estrogens and testosterone. Catecholamines, norepinephrine and adrenaline are formed in the medulla.

Cortisol has many important functions. The hormone determines how quickly the body converts fats, proteins and carbohydrates into energy. Cortisol is involved in the regulation of blood pressure, cardiovascular function, and is responsible for immune and inflammatory reactions. The most significant function of the hormone is the body’s adaptation to stressful influences and situations.

The function of the adrenal glands is largely controlled by special areas of the brain - the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis shapes the stress response.

Stress and the adrenal glands

When faced with a threat, an alarm signal appears in the cerebral cortex, which goes to the hypothalamus.
The hypothalamus synthesizes a hormone that acts on the pituitary gland. The result of the reactions is stimulation of the adrenal glands and their release of cortisol and adrenaline into the blood. Adrenaline increases your heart rate, increases your blood pressure, and increases your energy expenditure.
Cortisol, the primary stress hormone, increases blood sugar levels, improves the brain's use of glucose, and increases the availability of substances that repair tissue. Cortisol limits functions that were detrimental in anti-stress responses. It determines the immune response, inhibits the digestive and reproductive systems, and slows down growth processes. The complex response system interacts closely with parts of the brain that control mood, motivation and fear.

The body's stress response system is capable of self-limitation. Once the perceived threat passes, hormone levels return to their previous levels. As adrenaline and cortisol levels decrease, heart rate and blood pressure return to their original values, and other systems resume their activity.

When a stress factor is constantly present, the body finds itself in conditions of constant tension. The anti-stress response system remains switched on for a long time.

What is adrenal fatigue?

With a long-term stress factor, the adrenal glands are depleted and maladaptation occurs.
In medicine, this condition is called “adrenal stress syndrome” or “adrenal fatigue syndrome.” There is a decrease in cortisol production, and its amount becomes insufficient to maintain normal health. Symptoms of adrenal fatigue include:

autoimmune conditions;
chronic fatigue (always feeling tired);
hair loss;
hormonal imbalance;
insulin resistance;
dizziness;
decreased sexual desire/libido;
unstable mood;
depression;
skin problems;
sleep disorders;
weight gain;
craving for sweet and salty foods.

Anything that causes strong and prolonged stress leads to maladaptation of the adrenal glands. These factors are:

stressful life situation (death of a loved one, divorce, moving);
chronic diseases;
chronic stress (financial stress, harmful working conditions, poor family relationships, alcohol abuse);
unhealthy diet and lack of exercise;
bad sleep, etc.

Diagnosis of the condition The doctor, based on a carefully collected history and complaints, prescribes a study of cortisol levels. The test can be performed using blood or saliva.

Adrenal Fatigue: How Stress Affects Your Health - Om Activ

Cortisol (hydrocortisone, 17-hydroxycorticosterone, compound F) is a hormone that is produced by the adrenal cortex in a stressful situation for the body. It's important to know about it because many complaints - from mood swings to poor skin condition - can be associated with adrenal fatigue. There are four stages of adrenal dysfunction. ⠀ At the first and second stages, cortisol is increased. To restore, a full night's sleep, vacation and moderate physical activity are enough. ⠀ But if you ignore stress and symptoms of increased cortisol for months or even years (we will list them below), the adrenal resource begins to deplete.

In the third and fourth stages, cortisol is reduced, and the person is literally left without strength - physical and emotional. To recover, you need to see a therapist.

Causes of adrenal dysfunction:

stress and emotional changes (difficult relationships, financial difficulties, working with strict deadlines, etc.),
lack of sleep,
lack of physical activity,
chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, liver disease, etc.),
frequent infections (herpes, chronic tonsillitis, severe flu and other acute respiratory viral infections, since the adrenal glands are involved in the fight against viruses and inflammation),
chronic inflammatory process,
chronic physical pain,
operations, including caesarean section.

Signs of adrenal dysfunction:

burst of energy after 21:00,
loss of vitality from 14:00 to 17:00,
difficulty falling asleep even when physically tired, sleep disturbance from 03:00 to 04:00,
feeling tired and excited at the same time,
bruising or gray-brown shadows under or around the eyes, swelling,
excessive sweating during the day, sweating at night,
frequent viral infections (ARVI, herpes),
underweight with adequate nutrition,
concentration of excess weight on the stomach,
desire to eat sweets after every meal, desire to add salt to everything, indigestion,
internal haste, the desire to move from one thing to another,
absent-mindedness, inability to remember a detail, especially if they are waiting for an answer,
increased irritability, tearfulness,
dependence on drinks containing caffeine (coffee, green tea, matcha),
low or unstable blood sugar,
dizziness when standing up from a horizontal position,
poor tolerance to physical activity,
low pressure,
hypothyroidism, which is difficult to treat,
feeling unwell without a diagnosis.

These signs can be a signal of many other conditions and diseases, so we insist that you do not self-diagnose. But if you have 3-5 signs of adrenal dysfunction, we recommend that you consult a physician.

Under extreme stress, hydrocortisone activates your muscles to help you, for example, escape from a wild animal. To do this, it borrows glucose from internal organs and transfers it to the muscles. But you don’t run away from a wild animal, and the glucose remains unspent. Over time, diabetes and obesity can develop. Moreover, organs that have not received enough glucose begin to demand sugar back, and the person turns to sweets.

How to find out your cortisol level.

There are two types of tests: blood test and 24-hour urine test. The second analysis is more accurate. The norm of cortisol in daily urine is 100–192 nm/l.

Cortisol levels in a healthy person are minimal in the evening, when the nervous system is preparing for sleep. At night, cortisol levels gradually begin to increase, with peak secretion occurring in the pre-dawn hours. Due to the fact that cortisol levels fluctuate throughout the day, a 24-hour urine test is more informative.

Prevention of adrenal dysfunction:

try to worry less (we understand - it’s difficult),
go to bed at 22:30 or at least until 00:00,
walk daily
choose moderate physical activity,
If possible, get a massage or spa treatment once a week:
limit your intake of alcohol, caffeine and other stimulants,
make sure you have normal vitamin D levels,
make sure you get enough vitamin C and B vitamins,
if necessary, add soothing herbs - eleutherococcus, Rhodiola rosea, ashwagandha, astragalus, ginseng and so on.

But most importantly, love yourself. Learn to enjoy life, feed yourself tasty and healthy food, relax, listen to your body's signals and do not hesitate to contact specialists for medical help.

(2137)
comments powered by HyperComments

Method of performing ultrasound of the kidneys and adrenal glands

Kidney ultrasound itself does not require any special preparation. However, if the bladder is examined along with the kidneys, the patient may be required to drink 0.5-1 liters immediately before the examination. liquids. It is also not recommended to take legumes, sweets, rye bread and other foods that increase gas formation. Gases in the intestines make it difficult to visualize the bladder. The kidneys and adrenal glands are examined in several projections. At the same time, their position, size, structure, echogenicity (passability for ultrasonic waves), and the presence of pathological inclusions are assessed. During the procedure, the patient may be required to take a series of deep breaths or change body position to facilitate access to the organ being examined. The procedure itself is short and painless. There are no direct contraindications either. However, it is not recommended to perform an ultrasound earlier than 24 hours after an X-ray examination of the kidneys with contrast. The data obtained is not informative.

Adrenal hormones

Adrenalin.

The main component that helps to significantly protect the body from stressful conditions (synthesized by the brain structure). This hormone has the property of being activated (increased) in any situation - positive, negative. Under its influence in the human body the following appear:

pupils dilate (enlarge);
breathing quickens;
all forces are involved (sailing).

Power appears in the body and resistance to pain increases.

Norepinephrine.

Less influence on humans. Regulates blood pressure and stimulates the functioning of the myocardium (heart muscle). The adrenal cortex produces corticosteroids, which are divided into three levels:

glomerular;
beam;
reticulate.

All produced substances play a huge role in the proper functioning of the body. A deficiency or excess leads to significant health problems.

It is necessary to promptly pay attention to dysfunctions and go to an endocrinologist.

Adrenal gland disease in women

Signs are accompanied by:

inability to become pregnant and bear children;
intolerance to ultraviolet radiation (sun rays), excessive tanning;
constant depressive states;
chest pain;
the appearance of strong pigmentation;
menstruation disorders (the cycle gets lost);
the uterus and mammary glands become smaller;
acne on different parts of the body;
enlargement of the clitoris.

What diseases does it detect?

Kidney stone disease;
Purulent kidney lesions;
Acute and chronic pyelonephritis;
The presence of benign and malignant tumors;
Hydronephrosis;
Nephroptosis.

Ultrasound of the kidneys and adrenal glands has no contraindications, so it can be done an unlimited number of times as necessary to obtain an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the desired treatment method.

The ultrasound room in the esthetician is equipped with the most modern expert-class device - Toshiba Aplio 500, which has an unsurpassed level of visualization, which ensures the accuracy of clinical data and diagnostic reliability.

Advantages of ultrasound using an expert-class device TOSHIBA Aplio 500:

Fly Thru technology, which creates a new perspective of four-dimensional ultrasound, namely a view from the inside. The images produced by this technology are unlike anything ever seen before in the world of ultrasound. It introduces a completely new method of processing ultrasound images, as well as a unique way of viewing structures inside the body;
excellent visualization quality;
high level of detail and more accurate diagnostics;
advanced sensors that provide high quality images and the ability to be used for a wide range of ultrasound diagnostic studies;
a powerful and highly sensitive Doppler unit that allows you to evaluate the blood supply to an entire organ and determine its structure.

You can find out the cost of ultrasound on TOSHIBA Aplio 500 here

Make an appointment by phone. 220-97-27