ADRENAL BURNOUT SYNDROME

Thousands of people suffer from constant fatigue that is not relieved by rest and sleep. This is the main symptom of adrenal burnout syndrome.This article examines this extremely common syndrome and its causes, symptoms and the process of recovery of vibrant health by natural methods.

WHAT ARE THE ADRENAL GLANDS?

The adrenal glands are rounded, disc-shaped glands about 3-4 inches across.One sits atop each kidney, located on either side of your lower back, just above where the ribs end.You may at times feel a sensation of pressure in this area when under stress, although muscular tension and other factors also commonly cause pain or a sensation of pressure in this area.
The adrenal glands are essential for life. They secrete a number of hormones that prepare our bodies to respond to stress.These include adrenalin, also called epinephrine, noradrenalin, also called norepinephrine, cortisol and cortisone.The adrenal glands also produce aldosterone, estrogens, testosterone, progesterone, pregnenelone and DHEA.
These hormones regulate many body activities.Of greatest importance for this article is that the adrenal hormones, particularly adrenalin and cortisol, activate the bodyís fight-or-flight response.This consists of increasing the amount of glucose or sugar in the blood, raising blood pressure, and promoting increased energy production.There are many other effects of the adrenal hormones, but we will focus on these effects for now.
Of great importance to our discussion is that the adrenal glands are innervated and stimulated by activity of the sympathetic branch of the autonomic or automatic nervous system of the body.This is the part of our nervous system that activates when we must respond to threats to our life.

A DEFINITION OF ADRENAL BURNOUT

The adrenal glands may undergo various difficulties.Severe overactivity or hyperfunction of the glands is called Cushingís Syndrome.It is characterized by a ëmoon faceí, obesity in the trunk, muscle weakness, poor wound healing, kidney stones and often psychological symptoms.
Low adrenal activity can cause a condition called Addisonís disease.It is characterized by weakness, fatigue, low blood pressure, changes in skin color, dehydration, anorexia, nausea, decreased cold tolerance and dizziness.
Addisonís disease and adrenal burnout may develop slowly or be caused by a single trauma. President John F. Kennedy developed Addisonís disease during World War II. Late one night, his patrol boat was rammed by a Japanese destroyer, killing most of the crew. He never recovered from the shock.
Adrenal burnout syndrome, also called adrenal insufficiency or adrenal exhaustion, is basically a mild form of Addisonís disease.In many instances, a diagnosis of mild Addisonís disease should be termed adrenal exhaustion, adrenal insufficiency or adrenal burnout syndrome.Few physicians, however, diagnose this condition.There are no definitive tests for adrenal exhaustion, although one can easily assess low blood pressure, low blood sugar and other signs associated with adrenal burnout.
Adrenal burnout syndrome differs from simple fatigue in that burnout is not relieved by getting a few good nightís of sleep, as is the case with fatigue.This is the case because adrenal exhaustion is not just a sleep deficit, although that may be an aspect of the syndrome.Burnout is a deeper derangement of the bodyís energy-producing system, of which fatigue is one symptom.
Unfortunately, when a patient complains of fatigue, depression or other symptoms that may be related to the adrenal glands, most of the time doctors do not even run the tests necessary to diagnose Addisonís disease.Instead, patients are told to take a vacation, or given and anti-depressant or told it is in their head.
In one way, it is better that Addisonís disease is not diagnosed more often because the treatment is to give adrenal hormones for the rest of oneís life.These including cortisol, a powerful substance that can have nasty side effects if given in excess.Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy for adrenal insufficiency is a little better, but still does not address the cause in most cases.
We find that even bio-identical hormone therapy may easily causes complications that are difficult to remedy because the bodyís hormonal regulatory and feedback system is very complex.Also, hormone therapy is rarely needed if one is willing to follow a program including a diet, plenty of rest, nutritional supplements, lifestyle modifications and use other natural therapies when applicable.Recovery is definitely a possibility for most people, if one is willing to make the effort and lifestyle changes required to rest the adrenals and enhance their activity.

CAUSES OF ADRENAL BURNOUT

Excessive stress, an important cause of burnout, can be from many sources. Chemical toxicity and nutritional depletion are among the physical causes. Mental, emotional or spiritual stress may be a major factor. Financial, family or other stress may also contribute to burnout.
Any excessive stress can deplete the adrenals, especially when weakened by poor nutrition. Working too much or emotional stress are two common causes.Excessive stimulation, especially for children, is another cause. Fast-paced, high-stress, fear-based lifestyles are a sure prescription for adrenal burnout.
Other stressors in cities are noise and electromagnetic pollution. Cell phones, microwave towers and appliances like televisions, microwave ovens and computers give off strong electrical fields.
Nutritional Deficiencies are a common cause. When under stress, the need for nutrients is much greater. Carbohydrates, when excessive in the diet, stress the adrenals. Diets low in protein may also create deficiencies. Inadequate or poor quality water affects oxygenation of the tissues.
Most diets are low in nutrients required by the adrenals. These include B-complex vitamins, vitamins A, C and E, manganese, zinc, chromium, selenium and other and other trace elements.The reasons for this begin with how food is grown.Most food is grown on depleted soils. Processing and refining further deplete nutrients. Habits like eating in the car or while on the run further diminish the value derived from food. Also, allergic reactions to foods such as wheat and dairy products can damage the intestines and reduce the absorption of nutrients.
Toxic metals and chemicals often play a large role in adrenal burnout. Everyone is exposed to thousands of chemicals in the air, the water and the food. Other sources are dental materials and skin contact with chemicals. Over-the-counter and prescribed medications add to the bodyís toxic load.
Toxins may also be generated within the body due to impaired digestion.When food is not properly digested, it either ferments or rots in the intestines, producing many harmful substances that are absorbed into the body.
Chronic infections, of dental and other origin, also contribute to the toxic load. In most people, the organs of elimination do not function at an optimal level.As a result, toxic substances slowly build up in the body, leading to adrenal burnout and many other health conditions.
Stimulants damage the adrenal glands.They whip the adrenals.Caffeine, sugar and alcohol are among the most common stimulants. Less obvious stimulants include anger, rage, arguing, hatred, loud music, the news and movies full of suspense. Vigorous exercise, sexual preoccupations and other thrills may also act as stimulants.
Stimulant use, however, can also be a result of adrenal burnout. Stimulants are attractive to one in burnout to provide temporary energy. This is an appeal of the drug culture, both legal and recreational.
Unhealthy responses to stress are another cause of adrenal burnout. These include habits of worrying, or becoming angry or afraid. Donít worry, be happy is a great prescription for adrenal burnout. This applies particularly to high strung, nervous individuals and those with very active minds, as they are especially prone to adrenal burnout.
Many children today are born with weak adrenals due to their parentsí nutritional deficiencies. By age three or four, these children are in burnout. They are often sick, depressed and have difficulty in school.

SYMPTOMS OF ADRENAL BURNOUT

In addition to fatigue, weakness and often depression,symptoms often include craving for sweets, low blood pressure and low blood sugar. Low energy impairs every system of the body. Thus, secondary symptoms can range from impaired digestion, aches and pains to chronic or recurring infections.
Often, emotional and psychological symptoms are present or even predominant.Depression is very common.Apathy, despair and even suicidal tendencies are also quite common. Emotional instability, mood swings, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and irritability are also common symptoms associated with adrenal burnout syndrome. The world can look evil, one loses faith in people, and a hopeless attitude is not uncommon.
Compulsiveness and obsessive-compulsive tendencies may be associated with adrenal burnout.One may become addicted or very attracted to excessive exercise, sex, loud music or other forms of excitement. The unconscious goal is always the same, to stimulate the adrenals into activity.
Adrenal burnout affects every area of life.One may lose interest in friends, family and work.Relationships often suffer when one person in the relationship goes into adrenal exhaustion.
Unfortunately, many with adrenal burnout function on anger and resentment. These act as adrenal stimulants, providing a negative energy with which to function.Most of the world, in fact, functions on the negative energy of anger.

THE PHYSIOLOGY OF ADRENAL BURNOUT

Low blood sugar, low blood pressure, low temperature, depression, joint pain and allergies may result from low levels of cortisol. Multiple chemical sensitivity is an extreme allergic condition associated with adrenal burnout. Later blood may pressure rises as toxic substances build up in the arteries and kidneys.
Elevated copper and low zinc related to adrenal burnout impair the immune system. Chronic infections may develop.The stage is also set for the development of degenerative conditions.Cancer, heart disease, Parkinsonís and Alzheimerís diseases may be end-stage results of toxic accumulation and energy depletion.
Often secondary to adrenal exhaustion are other glandular imbalances such as hypothyroidism.Less common is the development of a secondary hyperthyroidism, or overactivity of the thyroid.This may be a compensation for low adrenals, as the condition will disappear as the adrenals are allowed to rest and rebuild.
The adrenal glands produce estrogen and progesterone.They are the main source of these hormones after menopause.Premenstrual syndrome and hot flashes often have to do with weakened adrenal glands.
Depression and apathy are often the result of low energy production in the cells.Also, cortisol provides a natural ëhighí.Thus, low cortisol can contribute to feelings of depression and even despair. Unsure if there is energy to get through the day, anxiety may occur. Irritability is common as one is less able to handle even minor stress.
When the 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 oneís energy level declines, other toxic metals build up as well.Mercury, cadmium, lead, arsenic, beryllium and others contribute to hundreds of physical and emotional symptoms.

MYTHS ABOUT BURNOUT

Myth #1. Burnout is psychological.  Burnout is a breakdown of the energy system of the body. Vital minerals are depleted or burned out and replaced by toxic metals. Psychological stress may be a cause and burnout can affect oneís emotions and behavior. However, burnout itself is biochemical. Recovery may involve improving emotions and dealing with psychological issues. However, it also involves rebuilding body chemistry because it is a physical condition as well.

Myth #2. People in burnout have no energy and cannot work.  Many in burnout hold full-time jobs. They may appear in good health.  However, they are often tired or stressed. They may require stimulants in order to keep going. Some bury themselves in their work to forget how tired they feel.

Myth #3. Vigorous exercise is good for burnout.  Vigorous exercise can be attractive to those in burnout. Exercise temporarily makes them feel better. While it may provide a boost, in the long run vigorous exercise further exhausts their bodies. People in burnout need to reduce exercise, often to a minimum in order to conserve their energy and allow their adrenals to rebuild. Exercise requires energy and adrenal reserves that people in burnout do not have.

Myth #4. A vacation, a diet, or a nutritional supplement will cause recovery from burnout.  Most people never recover from burnout.  Recovery requires a strong commitment to healing. A number of natural therapies are often required. Recovery takes at least several years. If one recovers faster, one was not in adrenal burnout.

Myth #5. Burnout occurs mainly in men. In fact, it is more common in women. This is due mainly to lifestyle changes in women. Many women now work outside the home, and raise the children as well. Many are in single-parent homes or both parents work just to pay the taxes. Women have more sluggish oxidation rates to begin with, so burnout may be less apparent in women, but it is just as common or more so than in men.

Myth #6. Burnout only occurs in those in high-stress jobs. Burnout occurs in all groups, regardless of occupation, income or educational level. In fact, many homeless people are burned out. This helps account for why they may give up hope or be incapable of holding a job or supporting a home.

Myth #7. Burnout occurs only in adults. In fact, it is common today in children and even babies. Children are being nutritionally depleted and toxic as a result of the ill health of the parents. This can be measured with mineral analysis. Minimal brain dysfunction, chronic ear or other infections, crib death, failure to thrive, ADHD and anti-social behavior may all be symptoms of burnout in children.

Myth #8. Burnout affects only physical health.  Burnout affects every area of life.  Family and work are often affected.  Relationships often suffer. One may lose interest in everyone and everything. There simply is not enough energy available for others or for activities beyond those required for survival.  Friends, family and employers are often unaware of what is occurring, which only worsens the situation.

Myth #9. A hectic lifestyle causes burnout.  This may be one cause. However, a hectic lifestyle can also be a result of burnout. Excessive activity, overwork and a very busy life can be a way to stimulate one into action, a compensation for feelings of exhaustion. When such a person stops working and running around, they will feel just how exhausted and perhaps depressed they really are.

Myth #10. Overwork for years causes burnout. This is possible. However, it can occur due to a single shock or just a few traumas that occur together. It may also not be related to any single trauma or activity. Often a combination of factors causes burnout.
Whether one goes into burnout from an illness, accident, divorce, overwork or other stress depends very much on oneís ability to handle stress, rather than the absolute amount of stress.

Myth #11. Burnout is an overused term without a scientific basis. Just because burnout doesnít show up on x-rays or standard blood tests does not mean it is not real. Burnout can be measured and quantified using tissue mineral testing. The term is not overused. In fact it is greatly underused. A large percentage of the population is in burnout and it would be helpful if physicians understood it better, even if they have no cure.

Myth #12. Plenty of sleep will take care of burnout. Unfortunately, this is not so. The body is unable to regenerate its energy during sleep. Waking up tired after 8-10 hours of sleep is a primary symptom of burnout. Like a dead battery, the body does not recharge itself during sleep. An interesting principle of health is that one can only regenerate during sleep in proportion to the energy one has. Those in burnout are ëovertiredí which interferes with the restorative power of their sleep.

Myth #13. Cleaning out toxins will take care of burnout. The accumulation of toxins that occurs as the body can no longer remove them properly 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. One must rebuild the entire energy system by balancing body chemistry and providing nutrients as well. A one-month or even six-month ëcleanseí is nowhere near adequate. It can take a year just to replenish one mineral. For those in burnout, extreme detoxification programs such as fasting, raw foods or even chelating agents can be dangerous. This is because the body lacks the vitality to properly eliminate toxins, the eliminative organs are compromised and toxins may be redistributed in vital organs. A gentle, complete program of rebuilding and nourishing the body must accompany any efforts to eliminate toxins. In fact, as vitality improves, toxin elimination will proceed on its own.

Myth # 14. One will come out of burnout when one changes whatever factor or behavior caused the burnout. This is not how it works. As one goes into burnout, vital minerals become depleted and toxic substances replace them. They become part of the structure of enzymes and body organs and glands. Although one changes oneís diet, lifestyle, attitudes or behavior, the toxins remain.
Often, burnout does not even set in until several years after a trauma, illness or injury as depleted and damaged cells proliferate. Though many change their diets and get over their traumas, most people never recover from burnout, or make only a partial recovery.

Myth #15. To recover from burnout just reestablish close communication with those who are close to you. This is the prescription for burnout in one popular book. However, this is not enough. Communication is also difficult when one is in burnout. Burnout can greatly affect oneís attitudes, outlook and perceptions, making real communication very difficult. Low energy by itself can impair communication. Lack of understanding of the problem by partners, friends and others can also impair communication.

Myth #16. To get out of burnout, one needs to get back in touch with oneself. This is not enough for recovery. Also, getting in touch is difficult due to toxins in the brain. These produce odd feelings, low self-esteem and negative attitudes that often accompany burnout. Many people in burnout become overly introspective, which can make them worse as they get in touch with all their problems..

Myth # 17. One can recover from burnout in matter of months. It takes at least two years and often longer. Layers of adaptations and compensations must be undone. Each adaptation uses up energy so that when one begins correction, there is little energy to work with. This slows progress and is one reason correction takes several years.
Also, twenty or thirty minerals must often be replenished, a time-consuming process even assuming that one is ingesting all needed nutrients. Eliminating toxins that have become integral parts of the organs and glands also takes time, like rebuilding a house. If the process occurred too rapidly, one would become very ill.
If one recovers in months, one was not in burnout. Often , a small recovery can feel like a cure when it is not. Those in burnout need an overhaul, not a tune up. One needs to commit to doing whatever it takes and devoting a few years to healing. This needs to become oneís primary occupation or job for a while, allowing all other interests and activities to become secondary to the commitment to healing.

Myth #18. Burnout is not an important medical problem unless the stress of burnout causes high blood pressure or another symptom. 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. The body is like a newer car with power steering, power brakes and power windows. When the power goes down, the entire car stops working right. Burnout is a serious medical problem, although symptoms may be vague and unrelated to a specific disease.

Myth #19. Burnout is new phenomenon. In fact, burnout is as old as humanity. It can even help understand the rise and fall of civilizations. Nations often change over time. Repressive traditions can in time lead nations into burnout. Constant wars as occurred in Europe can contribute to burnout. Toxic exposure like lead water pipes can contribute to burnout. Vegetarian diets or destructive religious ideas, as in countries like India, can be a factor. Oppressive economic systems can contribute in some nations.
The process can be cumulative because children born to burned out parents continue the pattern until the entire group goes into burnout. Melting pot nations like America have an advantage in this regard. New immigrants are often the more ambitious ones that are in better health and can help rejuvenate the population. Also, nations that emphasize freedom and individual rights allow people to devise better ways of coping and maintaining their health.

By Dr. Lawrence Wilson, MD

© LD Wilson Consultants, August 2007