Adrenal Fatigue
Adrenal fatigue, burnout, Metabolic syndrome and
Dr. Akoury’s mission is to raise the awareness about the impact that today's unprecedented stress levels are having on our health. "Regardless of the source, all stress affects the adrenal glands and their production of the 'stress hormone' cortisol which profoundly influences all major physiological systems in the body.
"It is the job of the adrenal glands to enable the body to deal with stress and survive. Highly stressed lifestyles can result in chronically elevated levels of cortisol which may eventually fatigue the adrenals and lead to low cortisol production.
Adrenal fatigue is a pervasive syndrome that doctors see regularly in their clinics, yet often fail to recognize as a diagnosable and treatable condition. Adrenal fatigue and metabolic syndrome are two faces of the underlying stress disorders.
Dr. Akoury emphasizes the importance of recognizing the link between metabolic syndrome and adrenal fatigue and to understand that both conditions can actually occur concurrently in the same person. "These conditions can arise as stress maladaptations and are intimately related, yet are often slow to be recognized, if at all, by conventional medicine.
Cortisol has a profound effect on every organ and system in the body. Both low and high cortisol can negatively affect sleep, libido, mood, concentration, blood sugar metabolism, energy and immune function, among other things. Stress normally causes elevated cortisol levels, however in adrenal fatigue, the output of adrenal hormones, particularly cortisol, are diminished by over-stimulation. With each increment of reduction in adrenal function the body is considerably more affected.
Adrenal fatigue generally produces low cortisol levels, low blood pressure, low blood sugar and fatigue that leaves people feeling chronically below par and limping through life. People experiencing adrenal fatigue often overeat because they try to drive themselves with salty or sweet foods.
Symptoms of metabolic syndrome include high cortisol levels, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, fatigue, and a "spare tire" of weight around the middle. Metabolic syndrome often causes a fairly rapid fat gain, especially around the belly, and left unchecked, predisposes a person to diabetes and heart disease.
Metabolic Syndrome was identified 20 years ago and we are only now realizing the devastating effect on the overall heath, morbidity and even mortality. The condition is widespread among the adult population in developed nations and some studies have estimated the incidence could be as high as half of the population in some age groups. "We are seeing skyrocketing rates of abdominal obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer."
One of the tools that Dr. Akoury’s recommends to assess adrenal function is a saliva hormone test. It measures the amount of cortisol and other adrenal hormones inside the cells where they are active. Neither blood nor urine tests correlate with the hormone levels inside the cells and do not accurately assess the impact of stress on a person's health - something often misunderstood by the medical community.
Dr. Akoury believes that stress disorders such as adrenal fatigue and metabolic syndrome can be reversed with a program of lifestyle changes including a balanced diet, stress management, adrenal support and regular relaxation.
"There is a tremendous amount we can do to naturally balance the effects of stress on our bodies and compensate for stressful life events and stressful lifestyles. During stressful times, strong adrenals have the ability to maintain physiological and biochemical balance and can protect people from the danger of cancer through enhancement of immune system function that are an essential element of survival.
Adrenal dysfunction is implicated in the genesis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, Metabolic Syndrome. Adrenal Fatigue: The Big Burn Out can be and should be prevented in order to maintain a healthy living.
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