Are You Struggling With Adrenal Burnout?

Many of us have lifestyles that can lead to adrenal burnout. You may not know what that means or how to identify it, but as singles, we tend to run ourselves ragged doing everything ourselves. You may be fit and healthy looking, so how can you tell if  you are struggling with adrenal burnout?

Consider which stage of adrenal burnout your life might be in and how to reverse it.

STAGE ONE: ALARM

• The body prepares for fight or flight.
• Many of the stress-related illnesses, such as heart problems or ulcers, correspond to the alarm stage.
• The medulla in the brain triggers sympathetic nervous systems, and tells the hypothalamus and pituitary to release ATCH to stimulate the adrenal cortex.
• The brain tells adrenals there is alarm going on, wake up and got to get to work.

How many symptoms do you have of Stage One adrenal burnout?

1. Sugar cravings.
2. Sudden fatigue in mid-afternoon.
3. Moodiness.
4. Irritability or confusion when food is not eaten regularly.
5. Sudden coldness of limbs or nose.
6. Hyperactivity or difficulty concentrating.
7. Can’t remember easily.
8. Circulatory problems.
9. Easily tired in the summer.
10. Excess hair, such as facial hair, particularly in women.
11. Infertility.
12. Decreased libido.
13. Thirst.
14. Dizziness or shakiness.
15. Symptoms from frequent flying.
16. Mental illness.
17. Bumpy itchy skin.

What can you do to support the body in Stage One?

• Minerals: A liquid chelated mineral supplement, chromium.
• Adrenal tonics like licorice and red beet root.
• Nervines like passion flower, hops, valerian, St. John’s wort and schizandra.
• Vitamins B and C – specifically B-5, algaes.

If we do not take care of our bodies, we can easily slip into Stage Two of adrenal burnout.

STAGE TWO: RESISTANCE

• The person resists causes of stress.
• The body is trying to adapt to the stress.
• Occurs when the continual onslaught of stress continues.
• Nutrients become depleted, and glands become weakened.
• The adrenals are constantly working, and you burn up your mineral supply.
• The glands are constantly working and not getting any rest.

How many symptoms do you have of Stage Two adrenal burnout?

1. High blood pressure.
2. High blood sugar.
3. Depressed healing in the body.
4. Bone loss.
5. Lowered immune response.
6. Thinning hair.
7. Muscle wasting.
8. Development of abdominal fat.
9. Feeling of tension and stress.
10. Anxiety.
11. Shallow breathing.
12. Muscle tension.

What can you do to support the body in Stage Two?

• Adaptogens like schizandra, eleuthero, suma and kava.
• Rest and sleep.
• Minerals and mineralized foods.
• Adrenal glandular (short term).
• Essential oils like lavender, sandalwood and ylang ylang.

If we do not stop and take care of the body, we move into adrenal burnout. At stage two, one often feels as if they are running around like a chicken with its head cut off. They feel fat, frazzled and forgetful. It is considered the shell shock of the 21st century.

STAGE THREE: EXHAUSTION
ADRENAL BURNOUT IS IN FULL SWING 

• Issues like chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia begin to appear.
• The body becomes exhausted, and nutrients are depleted.
• The adrenals are burned out.
• The body now has low levels of DHEA and cortisol.
• Issues may include low testosterone and/or progesterone.
• Impotence and lack of sex drive are often side effects, as well as weight and digestive issues.
• The person feels completely “burned-out.”

How many symptoms do you have of Stage Three Adrenal Burnout?

1. Low blood pressure.
2. Low blood sugar.
3. Heart palpitations.
4. Cravings for sweets, salt and carbohydrates.
5. Poor memory and a hard time concentrating.
6. Insomnia: tired from restless sleep and frightening dreams.
7. Nervousness and irritability.
8. Mental confusion.
9. Fatigue.
10. Low sex drive.
11. Dark purple circles under the eyes.
12. The pupils may pulse or be very large.
13. The tongue will pulse.
14. Night sweats.
15. Attention deficit disorder (ADD).
16. Dry skin.
17. Low body temperature.
18. Cold hands and feet.
19. Can’t speak or articulate feelings clearly.
20. Shell shock – no way to unwind.

What to do to support the body in Stage Three:

• Lots of rest and sleep (at least 8 to 9 hours of sleep each night).
• Lot of minerals – high-mineral foods.
• Protein – eat quality protein for your blood type.
• Lots of green foods and green drinks.
• Strong adrenal tonics and adaptogens to rest the adrenal glands while sleeping.

This information is for educational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose and treat diseases. If you have any health problems, consult a health practitioner before embarking on any course of treatment.