Is it the case that your guys have been talking more of this adrenal fatigue? Us, too. Therefore, we are pleased to have this excerpt from the book Adrenal Fatigue Relief by Sorrel Davis. There is nothing much exciting about it, though there are plenty of really helpful things for people learning about the stages of adrenal fatigue and how they occur.
The stages of adrenal fatigue as proposed by Sorrel Davis
Four phases in which it is believed adrenal fatigue occurs and gets more severe are described by alternative health practitioners. While adrenal fatigue has never been officially recognised in mainstream medicine, this index can still help in diagnosis and treatment where the level of adrenal dysfunction varies from mild to severe, creating, in effect, an overall clinical picture. This involves several stages, which somewhat parallel Selye’s GAS model (general adaptation syndrome) and then some more. As proponents of adrenal fatigue state, the pace at which this disease develops may range greatly between individuals due to various contributing issues. These are just theoretical stages not proven.
Stage 1: Alarm Reaction
In the resistance phase, the body responds aggressively to the stressor by releasing cortisol and DHEA, antistress hormones. These hormones’ required level does not exceed normal rates; hence, the adrenal glands can cope with such a strain. Although it results in some decrease of the hormones secreted, the endocrine system responds well by supplying enough amounts of cortisol and DHEA to overcompensate for the loss. Fatigue is normally moderate, coming either on waking up in the morning or early afternoon. There is no clinical observation of any physical or physiological dysfunction. Peak performance may not be possible but normal daily function is anticipated. People can consume these items of food and drinks to prevent themselves from getting tired. Compensation is normally done through social acceptable measures that may be viewed as part of normal life today.
Stage 2: Resistance Response
The levels of cortisol keep increasing whereas those of DHEA progressively decline during the time when the body is subjected to continuous or severe stress. This resistance responds through production of corticosteroids in the adrenal cortex. However, people are able to carry out their routine activities though they experience increased fatigueness by the end of each day and need to have enough rest than usual for them to recover. The adrenal glands start to fail as the stress response is overwhelmed, leading to muscle and joint pains, depression, stomachaches, interrupted sleeping pattern, high blood pressure, heart palpitations, hyperventilation, feelings of irritation and nervousness, poor eating habit, irregular At this point, the condition often affects the thyroid gland. Infections become recurrent. More energy boosters could also be provided with the intent of making them feel better.
Stage 3: Adrenal Exhaustion
The body requires more cortisol but the adrenals cannot meet this demand, thus adrenal function is further weakened. The stage is characterized by appearance of anxiety and fatigue together. The body attempts to maintain survival by reducing cortisol production slowly over time. As a result, there is catabolism which breaks down of muscle tissue into energy.
There is always exhaustion, the ability to exercise is diminished, fibromyalgia can turn into a chronic form. This is where toxic metabolites start accumulating on the body causing the brain fog and insomnia. The depression becomes severe and may be persistent in nature. Once the body loses homeostasis, it goes in the state of imbalance condition. The body reduces the levels of hormonal secretion as it gets insufficient amounts of hormones and this reduces the levels necessary for survival purposes due to lack of enough energy. Metabolism decreases, and digestion gets slower in order to save the body weight. The affected person may fail to leave their beds or experience very short-lived energy spurts. It ultimately leads to the failure of HPA axis, disabling crucial neuroendocrine circuits restoring the body’s organs to their equilibrium state. This results in decreased blood sugar levels which lead to low tolerance to stresses and more mental, physical, and emotional fatigue. Sometimes it is called an “adrenal crash” or “adrenal burnout”. At that time the person usually goes for help because the symptoms prevent his/her daily routine.
Stage 4: Adrenal Failure
The last is very rare and represents a maximal failure for the adrenal glands in response towards “stress”. People facing a stressful event for the first time at this stage may collapse and die of cardiovascular failure. At this point, the body’s homeostasis is nearly impossible to reestablish as the adrenals are mostly non-functional. In this stage of development, adrenal fatigue often becomes confused with Addison’s disease, an HPA axis disorder. Adversaries in “adrenal fatigue” regard these symptoms as being at about an average position on the scale of adrenal malfunction (although cause and effect vary). These symptoms include sharp attacking abdominal pain, lower back, legs, vomiting, and watery loose stools, leading to dehydrations, low blood pressure and unconsciousness. Untreated, this stage can be fatal by its natural course.
