Monday, October 01, 2007

Adrenal Fatigue and Cortisol Deficiency



According to Dr. Lee, author, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You, the below symptoms may indicate a "cortisol deficiency" caused by tired adrenals.

What tires out our adrenals? The simple everyday mix of juggling a job and juggling a family PLUS a drip of chronic stress -- extended family expectations, financial downsize (or upsize), an illness, a major life change ... (Psst. Any change is stressful, even from worse to better.)

Here are the symptoms of Cortisol Deficiency per Dr. Lee.

Debilitating Fatigue * Unstable blood sugar * Foggy Thinking * Low blood pressure * Thin and/or dry skin * Intolerance to exercise * Brown spots on face

Recognize any of these? Personally I wasn't aware of unstable blood sugar (what test is that?) or my low blood pressure (which I was assured was "fine." See below.) But the rest was me - oh yeah - right down to two large brown spots on my face.

Rule of thumb. Actually, a few.

1. Watch out when Drs. assure you that something is "fine" or "normal" after they remark or call attention to it as in "Boy, you have low blood pressure, has it always been this way?" Then you say something like "I don't know. Is this a problem?" and they say "Of course not, this is normal in lots of people including world-class athletes." (This is an actual conversation that I had with a doctor. BTW, I was not a world-class athlete. I was just a woman who was tired all the time!)

2. Check out Dr. Lee's books: Dr. John Lee's Hormone Balance Made Simple: The Essential How-to Guide to Symptoms, Dosage, Timing, and More and What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About(TM): Premenopause, Balance Your Hormones and Your Life from Thirty to Fifty

3. Cortisol, what is it? It is a steroid hormone manufactured in the adrenal glands. It puts the ump into our fight or flight which is why it is referred to as "the stress hormone."

4. Stress, who needs it. If you feel stressed all the time and your life really isn't "on the line" PLEASE find a way to soothe your spirit and give your hormones a break. One of my somethings is the practice of Reiki. Learn more about it with this easy-to-follow book called "Portable Reiki." In minutes a day you will feel the difference and, like it implies, you can take it and do it anywhere.

5. Stay in touch. We put out a weekly energy-boosting newsletter. (Click there to read "Fatigue & Insomnia -- YIKES!")

Click here to register for more quick tips & pinches of encouragement and inspiration.

*****

An Ancient Chinese Proverb tells us, “If we do not change our direction, we are likely to end up where we are headed.” If you are tired of feeling tired all the time, perhaps it's time for a new direction. The Fatigue Be Gone Jumpstart e-Guide provides re-energizing solutions through simple lifestyle changes. Abundant health awaits you at www.FatigueBeGone.com. (http://www.fatiguebegone.com/fbg_guide_information.htm)

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I tried the book you recommended - Portable Reiki - and it is fabulous! Have integrated a couple of the exercises into my daily routine and am feeling better. Thks.
Patti

Rosanna Commisso said...

Hi
I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome about 8 years ago and with severe adrenal insufficiency or fatigue about 2 years ago. To help me keep on track with what I needed to do to take care of myself I put together an Adrenal Care Daily Checklist & Diary. You can download this diary for free from http://www.chiyolife.com.au/articles.html
I hope this helps make your life and the condition a little more manageable.
Cheers
Rosanna Commisso
ChiYo Life Founder & Instructor