Are You Constantly Tired? You May Be Suffering from Adrenal Fatigue

Do you have a type "A" personality? Do you feel that you never do enough although everyone tells you to slow down and smell the roses? Do you eat a poor diet, have too much stress or get inadequate sleep? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be suffering from adrenal fatigue.

Research shows that nearly 80 percent of Americans suffer from adrenal fatigue. Yes, you read that right - an astounding 80 percent of the U.S. population is affected by adrenal fatigue syndrome.

Adrenal fatigue is a collection of symptoms that result when the adrenal glands function below the necessary level. While adrenal fatigue is most commonly associated with intense or prolonged stress, it can also arise during or after acute or chronic infections, including the flu, bronchitis or pneumonia.

The adrenal glands are orange-colored endocrine glands, located on the top of each kidney. Their purpose is to help the body cope with stress. Each adrenal gland is triangular shaped and measure about one-half inch in height and three inches in length. Each adrenal gland consists of a medulla (center of the gland) surrounded by a cortex (outer region of an organ).

The medulla produces epinephrine and norepinephrine, also known as adrenaline. These hormones help control blood pressure, heart rate, sweating, and other activities regulated by the nervous system. The cortex comprises 80 percent of the adrenal gland and is responsible for maintaining fluid and electrolyte (salt) balance in the body and for producing over 50 different types of hormones.

While people with adrenal fatigue may look perfectly normal, they frequently suffer from an ongoing sense of un-wellness and have prolonged periods of fatigue. People who suffer from adrenal fatigue oftentimes have multiple symptoms including: anxiety, allergies, arthritis, depression, tiredness, reduced memory and inability to concentrate, insomnia, fearfulness and frequent influenza. Other symptoms may include:

* Tendency to gain weight and inability to loose it, especially around the waist.
* Lack of energy in the morning and mid-afternoon (between 3 to 5 p.m.).
* Need for caffeinated beverages to help them get going and sustain them throughout the day.
* Crave salty, fatty, and high protein food, such as meat and cheese.
* Pain in upper back and neck for no apparent reason.
* Reduced sex drive.
* Increase in PMS symptoms for women.

Although it affects millions of people around the world, conventional medicine does not yet recognize adrenal fatigue as a medical condition. So, why don't doctors recognize adrenal fatigue? In medical school, they are only taught to look for extreme adrenal malfunction that occurs with diseases such as Addison's disease and Cushing's syndrome.

Doctors check adrenal function by testing ACTH levels, using a bell curve to recognize abnormal levels. This is where the problem occurs. ACTH tests only consider the top and bottom 2 percent of the curve abnormal, yet symptoms of adrenal malfunction occur after 15 percent of the mean on both sides of the curve. In other words, your adrenal glands can be functioning 20 percent below the mean and the rest of your body experiencing symptoms of adrenal fatigue, yet most mainstream physicians won't recognize that you have a problem.

Fortunately, there are ways you can test yourself for adrenal fatigue. Viveca Stone-Berry, founder of FatigueBeGone.com and former sufferer of adrenal fatigue, has written a short, concise ebook about this largely ignored phenomenon. In it she provides step-by-step directions to help readers determine if they are suffering from adrenal fatigue.

According to Ms. Stone-Berry, symptoms of adrenal fatigue include:

* Morning fatigue - You don't really seem to "wake up" until 10 a.m., even if you've been awake since 7 a.m. and you feel that you need caffeinated beverages to get moving.
* Afternoon fatigue - You feel sleepy or experience clouded thinking between 2 to 4 p.m.
* Evening fatigue - You feel sleepy at 9 to 10 p.m., but resist going to sleep.
* Cravings for foods high in salt and fat
* Decreased ability to handle stress
* Decreased sex drive
* Muscular weakness
* Lightheadedness when rising from a sitting or laying down position
* Frequent sighing

Additionally, the Fatigue Be Gone eBook includes a list of specific medical tests that readers can ask their healthcare provider to perform, as well as simple tests which can be performed at home. These include:

* Measuring your basal body temperature
* How to test for Candidiasis - The Spit Test
* How to test for dehydration - The Water Test

Last, but not least, the Fatigue Be Gone eBook provides a shopping list of food items and dietary supplements which are known to restore adrenal function. It's also packed with tips for reducing stress, recipes and resources to help you regain control of your health and restore your zest for life!

If you believe that you may be suffering from adrenal fatigue, invest in the Fatigue Be Gone eBook. Fill out the questionnaires included in the book, than make an appointment with your doctor. You'll be glad you did!