WHAT IS ADRENAL FATIGUE? In this fast past world we live in, is it any surprise that stress has become one of the top killers? It affects most people in one way or another and can cause a great amount of harm to the body. Although we have a built-in mechanism to handle stress, even that system can be damaged by excessive and longterm exposure to stressful situations leaving our bodies in disarray. Being able to handle stress is key to our survival, but when the stress control center is dysfunctional, the entire body can and will shut down causing what is known as Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome or AFS.In this fast past world we live in, is it any surprise that stress has become one of the top killers? It affects most people in one way or another and can cause a great amount of harm to the body. Although we have a built-in mechanism to handle stress, even that system can be damaged by excessive and long-term exposure to stressful situations leaving our bodies in disarray. Being able to handle stress is key to our survival, but when the stress control center is dysfunctional, the entire body can and will shut down causing what is known as Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome or AFS.
WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENS WHEN YOUR BODY IS UNDER STRESS? Let’s say your car breaks down on the way to an important work meeting. This evokes extremely stressful feelings. There are a series of chemical reactions that take place in your body that are designed to deal with the incoming stressors: ● Your hypothalamus signals your pituitary gland to release ACTH or the adrenocorticotropic hormone ●
ACTH will them stimulate the adrenal glands to secrete epinephrine and cortisol.
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Epinephrine and cortisol will increase the body’s energy levels
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Your heart rate will increase
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You may begin to sweat
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Your muscles will tense up
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Blood will be diverted away from your gut resulting in slower digestion.
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The rectus muscle and bladder may relax
When the above physiological response occurs over a long period of time, Adrenal Fatigue is the resulting ailment.