Fatigue
The adrenal glands will produce a higher amount of cortisol in response to stress, regardless of how long it lasts or how much there is. It is believed that adrenal fatigue happens when the adrenal glands have been overworked to the point where they can no longer secrete levels of cortisol that are adequate for them to function at their best. This prevents the adrenal glands from functioning at their optimal level. Potential stressors include influences from one’s environment, diet, anxiety, and other forms of emotional stress. Grief, traumatic experiences, and autoimmune conditions are examples of situations that are thought to have the potential to impact adrenal function negatively.
Chronic stress causes the adrenal glands to produce excessive cortisol, causing a disconnection between the brain and the adrenal glands. As a result, tiredness, insomnia, and abdominal fat accumulation are expected outcomes. After a prolonged period of stress, the brain-adrenal connection becomes further severed. When this occurs, the adrenal glands fail to produce enough cortisol. Consequently, cortisol production cannot meet the needs of healthy body function. Consequences include extreme fatigue or being extremely tired all the time.
