Definitions and Terminology of Adrenal Imbalances
Myths
Recovery From Adrenal Burnout
The Physiology of Adrenal Burnout
Definitions and Terminology of Adrenal Imbalances
Cushings Disease:
Characterized by a “moon face,” obesity in the trunk, muscle weakness, poor wound healing, kidney stones, and often psychological symptoms.
Addison’s Disease:
A type of extremely low adrenal activity. Characterized by weakness, fatigue, low blood pressure, changes in skin color, dehydration, anorexia, nausea, decreased cold tolerance, and dizziness. It can be caused by a tumor on the adrenal glands, by severe shock to the system, or by prolonged stress, single or multiple traumas.
Adrenal Insufficiency:
This is a milder form of adrenal imbalance, characterized by improper levels of cortisol during day/night. The adrenal glads themselves are toxic and nutritionally depleted.
Adrenal Burnout Syndrome:
A mild form of Addison’s Disease.
- A low functioning or under-activity of the adrenal glands
- May also be termed adrenal insufficiency or adrenal exhaustion
- Differs from Addison’s disease in several important ways:
- – Can be corrected using natural methods
- – The cause is not a single shock to the system, but instead, a slow decline in adrenal activity due to nutritional deficiencies and the accumulation of toxic metals and chemicals in the body.
- – Unlike Addison’s Disease, adrenal insufficiency or burnout is EXTREMELY common today especially among adults. However, few physicians are prepared to diagnose it or acknowledge it.
Fatigue vs Adrenal Burnout
Adrenal burnout syndrome differs from simple fatigue, in that adrenal burnout is not relieved by getting a few good night’s sleep, as is simple fatigue. Adrenal exhaustion is not a deficit of sleep, but a deeper derangement of the body’s energy producing system, of which fatigue is one symptom.
Myths:
Myth:Burnout is psychological.
Fact:
- Burnout is a breakdown of the energy system of the body. Vital minerals are minerals that are depleted or “burned out” (used up) and replaced by toxic materials
- Psychological stress may be a cause, and burnout can affect one’s emotions and behavior; however, burnout itself is biochemical, not psychological
Myth: People in burnout have no energy and cannot work.
Fact:
- Many people with burnout hold full-time jobs or have active lifestyles. They may also appear in good health; however, they are often exhausted or stressed.
- They often require stimulants in order to keep going and bury themselves in their work to forget how tired they really feel.
Myth: Vigorous exercise is good for burnout.
Fact:
- Exercise may temporarily make one feel better and provide a temporary boost, but it exhausts the bodies of those in burnout.
- People in burnout need to reduce exercise to help conserve energy and allow their adrenals to rebuild.
Myth: A vacation, a diet, or a nutritional supplement can cause recovery from burnout.
Fact:
- Most people never recover from burnout, although they could if they followed a nutritional-balancing program.
- Recovery requires a strong commitment that could take several years to complete.
Myth: Burnout occurs mainly in men.
Fact:
- It is more common in women today and is due mainly to their lifestyle changes.
- Women are also more prone to copper toxicity, thyroid imbalances, and other factors that can contribute to adrenal burnout.
Myth: Burnout only occurs in those with high-stress jobs.
Fact:
- Burnout occurs in all groups, regardless of occupation, income, or educational level, or employment status.
- Burnout is a worldwide phenomenon today and is not limited to certain parts of the globe.
Myth: Burnout only occurs in those with high-stress jobs.
Fact:
- Burnout occurs in all groups, regardless of occupation, income, or educational level, or employment status.
- Burnout is a worldwide phenomenon today and is not limited to certain parts of the globe.
Myth: Burnout occurs only in adults.
Fact:
- It is common today in children and even in babies. Most children today are being born nutritionally depleted and toxic as a result of the ill health of their parents.
- Brain dysfunction, chronic ear or other infections, learning disorders, ADHD, autism may all be symptoms related to adrenal dysfunction in children.
Myth:Burn out affects only physical health.
Fact:
- Burnout affects every area of life.
- Marriage, family relationships, work, and finances are affected. Friends, family, and employers are often unaware of what is occurring, which only worsens the situation.
Myth: A hectic lifestyle causes burnout.
Fact:
- Excessive activity, overwork, and a very busy life can be a way to stimulate one into action and a compensation for feelings of exhaustion. When one stops working and running around, he will feel just how exhausted and perhaps depressed he really is.
- A hectic lifestyle can therefore be a stimulant; it always makes burnout worse, but it may be the result of burnout, not the original cause.
Myth: Overwork for years causes burnout
Fact:
- This is possible, however, adrenal burnout may also occur quickly due to a single shock or just a few traumas that occur in rapid succession.
- In some cases, it is not related to any single trauma or activity but instead to a combination or accumulation of factors.
Myth: Burnout is an overused term without a scientific basis.
Fact:
- Burnout can be measured and quantified using tissue mineral testing and hormone testing.
- The term is not overused, but in fact, greatly underused.
Myth: Plenty of sleep will take care of burnout.
Fact:
- Unfortunately, NO. The person in burnout is unable to recover adequately during sleep.
- Waking up tired after 8-10 hours of sleep is a primary symptom of burnout.
Myth: Cleaning out toxins will take care of burnout.
Fact:
- An accumulation of toxins often occurs when the body can no longer remove the toxins. This contributes to burnout
- Exposure to toxic metals or chemicals can be an important factor in burnout.
- Eliminating them is helpful, however, energy is required to release toxins. If the energy system is weak, just fasting or detoxifying will not be enough. Fasting, in fact, can and usually makes the situation worse.
Warning!! For those in later stages of burnout, some detoxification programs such as fasting, eating raw foods or even chelating agents can be dangerous. This is because these therapies can further deplete certain minerals or unbalance body chemistry in ways that can be quite dangerous.
Myth: One will come out of burnout when one changes whatever factor or behavior caused the burnout.
Fact:
- Quitting your stressful job or ending your stressful marriage will not end your burnout.
- As one goes into burnout, vital minerals become depleted and toxic substances replace them. The toxic metals become part of the structure of enzymes and even part of organs and glands.
- A holistic approach to recovery is essential.
Myth: To recover from burnout, one needs to get back in touch with oneself.
Fact:
- Re-establishing excellent communication with those you love is always helpful, however, it is usually not enough.
- Once again, a holistic approach to recovery is important.
Myth: One can recover from burnout in a matter of months.
Fact:
- It is a lifestyle change that can take two years or longer.
- Layers of toxins, infections, and other adaptations and compensation must be undone. Each adaptation uses up energy, so that when one begins correction, there is little energy to work with.
- This slows the progress and is one reason correction takes several years.
It is a lifestyle change that can take two years or longer.
Myth: Burnout is not an important medical problem unless the stress of burnout causes high blood pressure or another symptom.
Fact:
- Burnout is degenerative exhaustion.
- It sets the stage for all degenerative diseases because energy is a common denominator of health.
- All illnesses start with fatigue.
Myth: Burnout is a new phenomenon.
Fact:
Myth:Burnout only affects one generation at a time.
Fact:
- This is perhaps the most pernicious aspect of burnout.
- Children born to burned-out parents will be nutritionally weaker and thus more prone to adrenal fatigue themselves.
- Children today are going into burnout, as a result, at younger ages than previously.
Recovery From Adrenal Burnout
It is recommended that you consult a physician who specializes in adrenal fatigue. He or she will perform the correct diagnostic tests to determine your individual needs.
Below are some of the treatments regiments that may be prescribed.
- A diet of mainly cooked vegetables and animal protein. Avoid all vegetarian, raw food, and fasting regimens. (slow oxidizer diet plan).
- Only distilled or spring water.
- Clean water to drink three or more quarts daily.
- An improved lifestyle with loads of rest is the single most important lifestyle change.
- About 6 or 7 basic nutritional supplements. These must be targeted an individualized using properly interpreted hair mineral analysis.
- A detoxification protocol is helpful.
- A meditation-observation exercise that is extremely centering and grounding.
- Shifts in your attitude and perspectives on life, when needed.
- Attitudes of forgiveness, letting go, positive attitudes, gratitude, spirituality or prayer can speed up healing greatly.
The Physiology of Adrenal Burnout
Low cortisol of fluctuating cortisol symptoms
- Low blood sugar, low blood pressure, low temperature, depression, joint pain, and allergies may result from low levels of cortisol.
- Blood pressure may rise as toxic substances build up in the arteries and kidneys. Copper toxicity and burnout
- Elevated copper and low zinc related to adrenal burnout impair the immune system.
- Chronic infections, development of degenerative conditions, cancer, heart disease, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s may result from toxic accumulation and energy depletion.
Thyroid imbalances and burnout
- Secondary to adrenal exhaustion are other glandular imbalances such as hypothyroidism. Reduced cellular energy production
- Depression and apathy are often the result of low energy production in the cells.
- Unsure if there is energy to get through the day, anxiety in a person may occur.
- Irritability is common as one is less able to handle minor stress.
Burnout and metal toxicity
- When adrenals are weak, copper builds up in the body; elevated copper enhances emotions.
- Panic attacks, bipolar disorder, mood swings, and schizophrenia are related to copper imbalance.
- As one’s energy level declines, other toxic metals build up as well, leading to hundreds of physical and emotional symptoms.
Definitions and Terminology of Adrenal Imbalances
Myths
Recovery From Adrenal Burnout
The Physiology of Adrenal Burnout