If you have found yourself tired, but unable to sleep, and generally foggy throughout the day, then you might be suffering from adrenal fatigue. This occurs when the adrenal glands are no longer able to produce sufficient cortisol. There is a debate within the scientific community as to what exactly causes this problem, but there are a few popular suspects. Here are 3 of the most agreed upon causes of adrenal fatigue. One of these might be the reason you have been feeling so exhausted.
You Drink Too Much Coffee
If you're someone who drinks excessive amounts of coffee, then you could be risking adrenal fatigue. Ingesting caffeine can trigger the adrenal gland to produce adrenaline. This is why caffeine "wakes" you up when you are feeling tired. Adrenaline is normally secreted by the gland in "fight or flight" scenarios. If you're artificially stimulating the gland via caffeine, it can stress out your body. Your body was not designed to be in a perpetual state of awareness and high alert. Over time this can exhaust the adrenal gland.
You Are Exercising Too Much
Exercise in moderation is a good thing. But if you're the type who burns the candle at both ends, and hits the gym morning and night, then you risk adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease). This is a serious disease that occurs when your adrenal glands can no longer regulate their hormonal output.
So keep that in mind next time you want to push yourself to run an extra 6 miles after work. It is important to let your body rest and recuperate. Even if you don't risk the serious disease of adrenal insufficiency, you can end up with adrenal fatigue.
You Eat Too Much Sugar
When you eat sugar it is converted to glucose. Your body then uses insulin, produced in the pancreas, to facilitate the use of this glucose as energy.The more sugar you eat, the higher your blood sugar level, the more the pancreas has to work to produce insulin in order to regulate the body. The adrenal gland is responsible for signaling to the pancreas to produce more insulin.
The insulin also helps in the conversion of glucose to fat. So you will overwork your pancreas, plus put on fat. Over time this can to obesity. Obesity will lead to becoming stressed at doing physical tasks you once were comfortable performing. You might then enter into a vicious cycle where you use caffeine to provide artificial stimulation and keep you going through the day.
Finally, when you put on weight, as you are likely to do on a high sugar diet, you are also likely to develop high blood pressure problems. One hormone that is produced by the adrenal gland is called aldosterone. It is responsible for trying to regulate your blood pressure. If you are overweight and eating junk food, then the adrenal gland is going to have to work over time trying to regulate your rising blood pressure.
If you have more questions, contact someone like Dr Vivian Bizios Naturopathic Doctor.
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