Adrenal fatigue
Adrenal Fatigue
Adrenal fatigue (/əˈdriːnəl fəˈtiːɡ/) is a term applied to a collection of non-specific symptoms, such as body aches, fatigue, nervousness, sleep disturbances and digestive problems. The term often shows up in popular health books and on alternative medicine websites, but it isn't an accepted medical diagnosis.
Etymology
The term "adrenal fatigue" was coined in 1998 by Dr. James Wilson, a naturopath and chiropractor. The term is derived from the adrenal glands, which produce hormones that regulate a variety of bodily functions, and the word "fatigue", which refers to a state of chronic tiredness and lack of energy.
Symptoms
Symptoms of adrenal fatigue are thought to occur when the adrenal glands are not functioning at their optimal level. These symptoms may include:
- Chronic fatigue
- Body aches
- Unexplained weight loss
- Low blood pressure
- Lightheadedness
- Loss of body hair
- Skin discoloration
Related Terms
- Adrenal insufficiency: A condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce adequate amounts of steroid hormones.
- Cortisol: A steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which is often referred to as the "stress hormone" because it is involved in the body's response to stress.
- Hypoadrenia: A term used to describe decreased adrenal function, often associated with stress or illness.
Criticism
The concept of adrenal fatigue has been criticized by some medical professionals, who argue that it is not a real medical condition and that the symptoms attributed to it are too vague to be attributed to a specific disease. However, proponents of the concept argue that it is a real and underdiagnosed condition.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Adrenal fatigue
- Wikipedia's article - Adrenal fatigue
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