Adrenal Burnout Syndrome

Adrenal Burnout Syndrome (also called Adrenal Fatigue, Adrenal Exhaustion, or Burnout) increases the likelihood of more frequent or severe viral infections, such as colds, flu, COVID-19, and Herpes Simplex Virus. Why? Burnout is a significant breakdown of the body's energy system. Without energy, your defenses are down.

 

The adrenal glands sit on top of your kidneys and help to regulate your immune system, metabolism, and blood pressure. They control the output of certain hormones in response to stress, such as adrenaline and cortisol. 

 

Cortisol is your body's primary stress hormone, which helps regulate blood sugar, reduce inflammation, form memories, and more. However, excess cortisol can weaken the immune system and cause unwanted symptoms, such as the following.

 

 

Allergic responses usually have an underlying adrenal component. Cortisol regulates inflammation in the body. Histamine is released in the body by mast cells in response to allergies, which causes inflammation. The more histamine is released, the harder the adrenal glands work to produce more cortisol, which counteracts the effects of histamine and reduces inflammation. The adrenals become exhausted, eventually producing less cortisol, which allows histamine to run rampant, causing even more inflammation. 

 

If you suspect you are experiencing an adrenal problem, you can have your hormones tested. Even without medical insurance, you can have your stress hormones tested. I've provided a list of private online labs here. 

 

 

Symptoms of Adrenal Burnout Syndrome

 

 

 

Possible Causes of Adrenal Burnout Syndrome

 

 

 

Spiritual/Psychological Causes of Adrenal Burnout Syndrome: Thought imbalance. Self-defeating or crushing messages that you believe. Feeling overpowered. You've been treading in deep water for too long, are exhausted, and don't love yourself enough.

Holistic Alternatives for Adrenal Burnout Syndrome

Manage Emotional Baggage

 

One of the number one reasons for burnout is stress from unresolved emotional issues or bad habits that create feelings of rage, anger, bitterness, resentment, hatred, guilt, shame, or fear. Negative emotions can leave you irritable and feeling like you barely have enough energy to get through the day. Adrenal Burnout is a significant breakdown of the body's energy system. 

 

We all have emotional baggage. It can be helpful to take a personal, physical, and environmental inventory. Write in a journal or communicate with a friend, family member, counselor, or a priest. If you're creative, consider a journal of sketches rather than writing. Expressing your feelings this way may be easier than putting words to emotions. You don't have to be the next John William Waterhouse. Doodling or fingerpainting will suffice.

 

Take time to relax, meditate, pray, or sit quietly for at least 10 minutes each day. Better yet, sit and do nothing for 30 minutes (as long as you aren't disturbed in any way).

 

 

Reduce Your Physical & Environmental Toxic Load

 

Are you receiving too high a level of EMFs from microwaves, cell phones, computers, or electrical outlets in your home? Are there any overhead wires, cell phone towers, transformers, or other high-voltage areas in your neighborhood? High levels of electromagnetic frequencies cause your adrenal glands to release cortisone and adrenaline, leading to Adrenal Burnout Syndrome. Turn off and unplug appliances when not in use. If you're renting a dwelling in a high-voltage area, consider moving.

 

Is there anything toxic in your environment, such as mold, new furniture made from pressed wood, or plastics? What about the cleaning or hygiene products you use? Chances are, if you can't pronounce or don't know what the ingredients are on your product labels, they are toxic. Also, see Creating Healthy Spaces. 

 

 

Improve Your Sleep

 

Poor sleep triggers the release of cortisol, which triggers histamine, which triggers allergy symptoms. It also triggers herpes outbreaks. Why? Because histamine causes inflammation. One way to sleep better and reduce cortisol levels is to engage in physical activity. Physically working at a task is more effective than exercising in lowering cortisol levels. 

 

Also, to sleep better at night, breathe correctly during the daytime. You might be surprised at how often you're not breathing deeply enough as you go about your day, which can lead to elevated cortisol levels.

 

Don't keep late hours. Some people tend to be night owls, even when they have day jobs. Nighttime can be soothing when you're overstimulated during the day, but the adrenal glands are taxed by keeping late hours. When you keep late hours, your circadian rhythm is disrupted. By nature, you're meant to stay awake during daylight hours and sleep at night when it's dark. Your hormones are balanced, and your tissues are repaired in the dark while you sleep. A disrupted circadian rhythm is the number one cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. 

 

If you wake up feeling refreshed, it is unlikely that you have adrenal burnout. Your body repairs itself during deep sleep at night. Repair doesn't happen regularly enough when you suffer from Adrenal Burnout Syndrome or a sleep disorder. For example, Sleep Apnea can cause adrenal burnout due to a lack of oxygen while sleeping.

 

 

Be Around People Who Make You Feel Good About Yourself

 

Are you in a challenging relationship and suffering from low self-esteem? Nothing is worse for your energy than draining relationships and poor self-image or self-esteem. They usually go hand in hand, buddies, until the end. Decide to deserve a good relationship with yourself and others. You need love, even if you think you don't. If you don't have any positive people in your life, consider joining a group or class, volunteering in an area where you can feel appreciated, or visiting places where people are typically upbeat and friendly. Walk among them at the mall, library, or park. Develop your positive support network, even if, at first, you are not directly involved one-on-one with others.

 

 

Nutrition & Supplement Suggestions for Adrenal Burnout Syndrome

 

Are you exposing yourself to toxins through subpar food and beverage choices? It's essential to reduce your consumption of refined carbohydrates and increase your intake of fresh, whole foods. Eliminate stimulants or cut back on beverages containing stimulants (coffee or tea) to only 2 cups daily. Eliminate alcohol or reduce consumption to one 4-6 ounces of red wine per day. Alcohol causes widespread inflammation. Drink pure water daily. Fast intermittently is also helpful.

 

Eating a healthy version of the Keto diet can help reverse burnout because high-carbohydrate diets keep you in "fight or flight" mode.

 

Adrenal Burnout Syndrome quickly depletes vitamins A, E, C, D3, B-complex (B1 counters cortisol), magnesium, manganese, potassium, and zinc. Eating foods rich in these vitamins and taking a high-potency multivitamin can be beneficial.

 

Ashwagandha, eleuthero, licorice, and low-dose DHEA are also beneficial. Check with your doctor before using these herbs.

 

Additionally, taking an omega-3 fish or krill oil supplement (600 mg daily) or flaxseed (up to 2 tablespoons of ground seeds daily) can help supply the healthy fats your body needs for adrenal support.

 

 

Drop Addictions

 

Stress, in all its forms, including addictions, contributes to Adrenal Burnout Syndrome, which can be a serious health condition. It would be beneficial to focus on lifestyle changes that involve modifying behaviors, thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs, including the elimination of addictions. Try to deal with whatever you are addicted to, whether alcohol, narcotics, nicotine, caffeine, gambling, shopping, pornography, staying in front of a screen, sex, or whatever else gets your adrenal glands pumping.

 

 

What To Expect Down the Road

 

Reversing light to moderate burnout usually takes three to six months to see results from the above suggestions. Extreme adrenal fatigue may take longer, but don't ever give up. Stay focused on the good years ahead.