The functions of your adrenals play a magnificent role in your overall health and happiness. If your adrenal glands are not working properly, your body simply will not function at its best – that’s a fact.
What are the adrenal glands?
Your adrenal glands (also known as suprarenal glands) are triangular endocrine glands that sit at the top of both kidneys. The adrenal gland is made of two parts – the outer region (the adrenal cortex) and the inner region (the adrenal medulla). Their responsibilities include releasing hormones adequately to help one’s response to stress.
How do they work?
They work interactively with the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the brain, referred to as the HPA Axis. The hypothalamus produces CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone) that then stimulates the pituitary gland to produce ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone). The ACTH stimulates the adrenal glands to make and release these hormones to the blood.
The adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla both have separate functions and release different hormones.
The adrenal cortex secretes hormones that affect the body’s metabolism. These hormones are cortisol, aldosterone, and androgenic steroids (androgen hormones). The adrenal medulla, the inner part of the gland, helps you cope with psychical and emotional stress and secretes the following hormones: epinephrine (aka adrenaline) and norepinephrine (aka noradrenaline).
Essentially, these glands are involved in manufacturing numerous hormones that regulate the body’s blood sugar, mineral supply, and thus the body’s energy levels. Adrenals are extremely important!
When your adrenals aren’t working properly
Adrenal fatigue is a collection of signs and symptoms that result when the adrenal glands function below the needed level. This is nothing to take lightly. Adrenal fatigue does not necessarily mean the adrenals are at fault, as they are probably not. The dysfunction of adrenals is triggered usually by an underlying problem. Usually this symptom is produced when your glands cannot adequately meet the demands of stress. Getting to the root of this problem is key!
The main symptom is fatigue that is not relieved by sleep. Other symptoms include low sex drive, weight gain (particularly in the midsection), digestive and fertility problems, respiratory infections, low energy, poor muscular and mental health and the list goes on and on…
People with adrenal fatigue may appear to be fine, but are living with a general sense of tiredness or lack of energy and may resort to coffee, sugar and/or other stimulants to get going. In some extreme cases, if the adrenal glands are so diminished, it may cause difficulty getting out of bed for more than a few hours per day. Never let it get to this point, like I did. When you are feeling this low, seek out help sooner rather than waiting for it to get better. Address the root cause before it becomes overwhelming.
If the adrenals are not functioning correctly, the cause can be an outside gland (like the hypothalamus or pituitary gland). Major problems can come up when the adrenal glands produce too many or too few hormones. Other syndromes include: Cushing’s Syndrome (excess cortisol in the body), Pheochromocytoma (usually benign – it’s a rare tumor of the medulla), Hyperaldosteronism (defined by the body’s overproduction of the hormone that controls sodium and potassium levels in the blood – aldosterone).
Care for your adrenals
Nurture your adrenals to ensure optimal health! Here are some tips to nourish your adrenals:
- Regular deep breathing exercises
- Revitalizing exercise
- Spend a few minutes a day in solitude
- Restorative sleep
- Eat wholesome foods
- Limit coffee intake
- Take a daily probiotic
- Meditate
- Learn to say NO
- Enjoy a calmer and happier life
It could be a leaky gut at the root of an adrenal issue. Learn how to address leaky gut and get started back on the road to good health.
Sources
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org
http://www.adrenalfatigue.org
http://www.mindbodygreen.com
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