Is Stress Slowly Killing You?
By Dr. Greg Fors
It is now estimated as much as 90 percent of the population has some degree of adrenal stress that, over time, can trigger detrimental effects in the body and cause chronic health issues.
I
t works like this: The adrenal glands sit over the kidneys, where they play a significant role by secreting more than 50 hormones necessary for life. These same glands re- spond to everyday stress by short-term secretion of adrena- line, DHEA and cortisol. This is necessary to help us navi- gate any limited stressful event. However, states of chronic stress cause abnormally high levels of adrenaline and cortisol, which, over time, can result in anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes and other chronic diseases. Studies have even shown a connection of elevated cortisol levels to Alzheimer’s disease. Many people who are tested with a salivary Adrenal
Stress Index Test often have unexplained anxiety and insom- nia, and suffer from high states of adrenaline and cortisol output. I refer to this as Adrenal Drive Syndrome. Having this information helps to properly treat the individual’s anxi- ety and/or insomnia and prevent future health problems. Under constant stress, the adrenal glands can become fatigued and adrenal hormone production can fall off, lead- ing to deficiencies in cortisol, DHEA and pregnenolone. The hormones that got us through a stressful workday are depleted and we can begin to struggle with such symptoms as chronic fatigue, difficulty getting up in the morning, dizziness upon standing, depression, irritability, sugar and caffeine cravings, weight gain and thyroid symptoms that do not respond to medication. Referred to as Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome, this also can be diagnosed with a properly ad- ministered salivary Adrenal Stress Index Test. Misunderstand- ing this baffling complex of stress-related symptoms often results in individuals being placed on antidepressants and other dangerous medications unnecessarily.
What primarily causes this epidemic of people de-
veloping Adrenal Drive Syndrome and subsequent Ad- renal Fatigue Syndrome is our modern lifestyle, which is permeated with poor diets, smoking, lack of exercise, lack of sleep, lack of relaxation and overwork. Adrenal dys- function can then lead to immune dysregulation, which increases chronic pain, infections, allergies and illness, all of which are usually treated with more drugs and surgery. Moreover, many doctors do not understand Adrenal Fa- tigue Syndrome and therefore do not run the proper tests to diagnose it. This leaves patients wondering if it is all in their heads.
What are the symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue Syn-
drome? Waking up exhausted after eight hours of sleep, needing two cups of coffee just to get the eyes open, cravings for sweets or salt, depression, loss of interest in sex, catching colds and trouble falling asleep all may be indicators of adrenal fatigue. The best way to detect adrenal and/or thyroid issues is through proper laboratory testing, conducted by a doc- tor knowledgeable in functional medicine. If laboratory testing reveals that the adrenal glands are not functioning properly, the problem must be addressed appropriately. Most people may need dietary changes, hormonal sup- port and co-factored supplements to rebalance the adrenal function. Depending on each person’s unique needs and health profile, hormones can be replaced or supported directly through the use of specific supplements.
Greg Fors, DC, is a certified chiroprac- tor, neurologist and acupuncturist, and is certified in applied herbal sciences. He is the clinic director of the Pain and Brain Healing Center, in Blaine, and is the author of the best-selling book Why We Hurt. For more information, call 763-862-7100 or visit PainAnd-
BrainHealingCenter.com.
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