The pea-sized adrenal glands located atop each kidney play a vital role in enabling us to handle stress. These glands produce various secretions like corticosteroids, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. The functions of these fluids vary from regulating blood pressure and blood-sugar levels to boosting immunity against diseases. Collectively, these secretions serve to handle the stress that results from countless stressful situations encountered daily.
Persistent, unrelenting stress, however, leads to a condition that Dr. Rodger H. Murphree calls ‘Adrenal Fatigue’ or ‘Adrenal Exhaustion’ in which case the production of one, or more, of the hormones from the adrenal glands is inhibited. This is an alarming point as it marks the onset of the body’s breakdown. Depending on the exhaustion of the number and type of adrenal hormone(s), several disturbing symptoms are experienced by the patient. Some of these include:
Fatigue and decreased mental acuity
Low blood pressure and low blood-sugar levels
Nausea, vomiting, and digestive problems
Abdominal, muscle, and joint pain
Low body temperature, especially coldness of hands and feet
Loss of scalp hair and/or excess of facial or body hair
Infections
Low sex drive
Dr. Murphree suggests 2 simple self-tests for people with these symptoms in order to have an idea of whether or not they need to take a clinical checkup for adrenal fatigue. The first test is called a Ragland’s Sign. What you do is let someone take your blood pressure while you lie on your back. Then you stand up and let the person quickly take your BP again. For a normal person, who isn’t suffering from adrenal fatigue, the systolic BP (upper reading) noted in standing position should be 8 to 10 mm greater than in the lying position. If there is no rise, or if there is a fall, in the BP, it’s a sure sign of adrenal fatigue. The second test is called Pupil Dilation Test. Stand in front of a mirror and shine a flashlight in one eye. Carefully observe the pupil (the black center of the eye). If it appears to start dilating (enlarging) after 30 seconds, adrenal deficiency can be suspected. In case any/or both of these tests indicate in the direction of adrenal fatigue, it’s time to visit your doctor for a through checkup of your adrenal system.
Adrenal Restoration
There are a number of ways to restore your adrenal efficiency to a maximum. Following are some guidelines for starting with the process.
Amino Acid Replacement: Adrenal hormones that become exhausted can be made up for by taking the appropriate amino acid replacement therapy. Your doctor will suggest what amino acid supplement(s) to take.
Ample Rest: To let your adrenal glands restore their strength and also for the amino acids to efficiently compensate the loss, you need to take ample amount of sleep daily. It is important that the sleep be deep, uninterrupted, and restorative.
Multivitamin and Mineral Formulas: Taking the appropriate multivitamin and/or mineral formula makes a big difference. Your physician can advise what and how much to take daily.
Adrenal Cortical Extracts: These extracts help repair and restore normal adrenal function. Several of these are available, and can be used, without prescription. However, consulting your physician is always helpful. An important thing to remember is NOT TO USE ‘whole gland adrenal’ or ‘adrenal medulla glandular’ without recommendation by a physician. These cam cause anxiety, increased heartbeat, and elevated blood pressure.
Vitamin C: Increase your daily vitamin C intake; it should be around 1000 to 2000 mg.
Exercise: Walking has been shown very helpful in adrenal restoration. Hard exercise is not recommended for more than 10 to 20 minutes daily; especially not until enough stress-coping level has been attained. Exercise is, after all, a form of stress.
Meals: Never skip meals, especially the breakfast.
Caffeine: Slowly wean off all caffeine-containing drinks and products (tea, coffee, chocolate).
There is a lot more to learn about coping with stress and adrenal fatigue. You may take time to read Dr. Rodger H. Murphree’s book Treating and Beating Anxiety and Depression (Harrison & Hampton Publishing, Alabama, 2006) or visit his website http://www.drmurphreestore.com/
Persistent, unrelenting stress, however, leads to a condition that Dr. Rodger H. Murphree calls ‘Adrenal Fatigue’ or ‘Adrenal Exhaustion’ in which case the production of one, or more, of the hormones from the adrenal glands is inhibited. This is an alarming point as it marks the onset of the body’s breakdown. Depending on the exhaustion of the number and type of adrenal hormone(s), several disturbing symptoms are experienced by the patient. Some of these include:
Fatigue and decreased mental acuity
Low blood pressure and low blood-sugar levels
Nausea, vomiting, and digestive problems
Abdominal, muscle, and joint pain
Low body temperature, especially coldness of hands and feet
Loss of scalp hair and/or excess of facial or body hair
Infections
Low sex drive
Dr. Murphree suggests 2 simple self-tests for people with these symptoms in order to have an idea of whether or not they need to take a clinical checkup for adrenal fatigue. The first test is called a Ragland’s Sign. What you do is let someone take your blood pressure while you lie on your back. Then you stand up and let the person quickly take your BP again. For a normal person, who isn’t suffering from adrenal fatigue, the systolic BP (upper reading) noted in standing position should be 8 to 10 mm greater than in the lying position. If there is no rise, or if there is a fall, in the BP, it’s a sure sign of adrenal fatigue. The second test is called Pupil Dilation Test. Stand in front of a mirror and shine a flashlight in one eye. Carefully observe the pupil (the black center of the eye). If it appears to start dilating (enlarging) after 30 seconds, adrenal deficiency can be suspected. In case any/or both of these tests indicate in the direction of adrenal fatigue, it’s time to visit your doctor for a through checkup of your adrenal system.
Adrenal Restoration
There are a number of ways to restore your adrenal efficiency to a maximum. Following are some guidelines for starting with the process.
Amino Acid Replacement: Adrenal hormones that become exhausted can be made up for by taking the appropriate amino acid replacement therapy. Your doctor will suggest what amino acid supplement(s) to take.
Ample Rest: To let your adrenal glands restore their strength and also for the amino acids to efficiently compensate the loss, you need to take ample amount of sleep daily. It is important that the sleep be deep, uninterrupted, and restorative.
Multivitamin and Mineral Formulas: Taking the appropriate multivitamin and/or mineral formula makes a big difference. Your physician can advise what and how much to take daily.
Adrenal Cortical Extracts: These extracts help repair and restore normal adrenal function. Several of these are available, and can be used, without prescription. However, consulting your physician is always helpful. An important thing to remember is NOT TO USE ‘whole gland adrenal’ or ‘adrenal medulla glandular’ without recommendation by a physician. These cam cause anxiety, increased heartbeat, and elevated blood pressure.
Vitamin C: Increase your daily vitamin C intake; it should be around 1000 to 2000 mg.
Exercise: Walking has been shown very helpful in adrenal restoration. Hard exercise is not recommended for more than 10 to 20 minutes daily; especially not until enough stress-coping level has been attained. Exercise is, after all, a form of stress.
Meals: Never skip meals, especially the breakfast.
Caffeine: Slowly wean off all caffeine-containing drinks and products (tea, coffee, chocolate).
There is a lot more to learn about coping with stress and adrenal fatigue. You may take time to read Dr. Rodger H. Murphree’s book Treating and Beating Anxiety and Depression (Harrison & Hampton Publishing, Alabama, 2006) or visit his website http://www.drmurphreestore.com/
2 comments:
"Caffeine: Slowly wean off all caffeine-containing drinks and products (tea, coffee, chocolate)."
yes especially dark chocolate right, has more caffeine? I always have trouble eating it because it's too strong for me
Well, I myself have been addicted to tea. WHile I have slowly got over the uncontrollable craving for lot sof cups, if I don't take it first thing in the morning, the world appears topsy-turvy.
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