Adrenal fatigue

Adrenal fatigue is a "term that is applied to a collection of nonspecific symptoms." They can include body aches, fatigue, nervousness, sleep disturbances, and digestive problems. It is not accepted as a medical diagnosis. A naturopathic (holistic) practitioner or complementary (non-mainstream) medicine doctor may say a person has adrenal fatigue.

The term was first used by James Wilson, PhD, a naturopath who practiced alternative medicine. He believed it was "usually associated with intense stress and often follows chronic infections like bronchitis, flu, or pneumonia."

It should not be confused with adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease) which is diagnosable through blood and hormones tests and has its own set of symptoms.

Symptoms

 * Body aches
 * Fatigue
 * Nervousness
 * Sleep disturbances
 * Digestive problems


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 * Always feeling tired or worn out even with plenty of sleep.
 * Craving salty foods.

Potential treatment
A diet low in sugar, caffeine, and junk food and supplementation of vitamins B5, B6, B12, C, and magnesium as well as probiotics and herbal supplements are all recommendations.

Adrenal fatigue vs ME/CFS
Because fatigue is among the symptoms the term adrenal fatigue encompasses, this term could be confused by some as their having chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Additionally, one may be suffering from CFS and not have a diagnosis as it often takes years to receive a diagnosis of ME/CFS. The Endocrine Society "says the symptoms of adrenal fatigue are so general, they can apply to many diseases or conditions (depression, sleep apnea, fibromyalgia) or stem from everyday life."

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