Adrenal Glands

Adrenal glands are small, star shaped endocrine glands that sit on top of the kidneys.  They are chiefly responsible for regulating the stress response of the body.  The adrenal glands are divided into three zones, or layers. These different layers have multiple physiologic responsibilities such aid in blood sugar management, stress and anxiety responses, blood pressure regulation, energy management, sex hormone production, and immune responses.

When the adrenal glands are not functioning optimally, you can have a condition known as adrenal fatigue, or adrenal exhaustion.  Adrenal fatigue develops over time and can leave your glands unable to meet your body’s hormone needs.  Some of the symptoms you may experience could be:

• General lack of energy especially in morning or late afternoon
• Exhaustion, even with simple daily tasks
• A decrease in your ability to handle stress or emotional resiliency
• Crave sugar and/or salt
• Increased abdominal fat that you cannot lose from diet and exercise changes
• Reduction of symptoms after eating
• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• Wake up tired after 6 or more hours on sleep

It is very important to have your physiology properly evaluated as adrenal fatigue symptoms can range from weight gain around abdomen, diabetes, hypoglycemia, fatigue, salt craving, and hormone imbalances.  At Mederi Health Center, we use state of the art saliva test kits to take four readings during a 12  hour waking period to properly evaluate your individual hormone production from the gland.  Once objectively evaluated, then the proper course of treatment can be recommended.