Your Adrenal Glands:
Stress, Fatigue, and Energy
Is
exhaustion, overwhelming stress, fatigue, headache, or the inability to
concentrate part of your everyday life? If so, then you may be suffering
from an imbalance or disease in your adrenal glands.While for many this may
seem a part of everyday existence, it may be due to an imbalance that can be
treated so you feel great.
What are the adrenal glands, and why are they important? The adrenals are small, orange glands near the top of each kidney. These glands produce three types of hormones - glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and androgens.The hormones include adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol,aldosterone, estrogen, testosterone, and DHEA.They regulate sodium and potassium and our fight/flight response, balancing blood sugar, metabolizing of fat, protein and carbohydrates, and reducing stress. For instance, aldosterone helps maintain blood pressure as well as sodium and potassium balance. When menopause hits women, the adrenal glands are the major source of estrogen. While symptoms of adrenal malfunction are usually mild, in a worst case scenario, hormone imbalance and loss of blood pressure can cause loss of consciousness and death.
What can you do for adrenal health? If you are not experiencing any symptoms related
to adrenal problems, then good diet and exercise will help maintain your
adrenal glands, and with periodic tests you can be sure they are functioning to
the best of their capacity. If you are exhibiting symptoms, the first step
would be to analize the condition using saliva, blood or urine tests. Once
the problem is confirmed, there are a number of natural herbs and supplements
that are available to restore balance and heal the glands. These
supplements, combined with acupuncture, are effective natural methods of
improving adrenal functions.