The Truth About Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Lyme Disease

 

Click Here to Find Out the Holistic Guide to Combat Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome that is composed of many different symptoms. The primary symptom is pain and tenderness in multiple areas of the body. This is often linked to fatigue, sleep disorders, digestive problems, and depression.

 

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) are considered to be overlapping disorders which many consider to actually be the same illness. Dr. Khan has developed an aromatherapy formula called Fibromyalgesic and an herbal formula called FibroTea for these conditions.

 

Symptoms and Causes of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

 

Many people consider these conditions to be psychosomatic in origin because people suffering from these conditions can look healthy and normal from the outside, and yet complain of so many different symptoms.

 

These symptoms can include mental symptoms such as brain fog, forgetfulness, spaciness, depression, mood swings, anger, and extremes in behaviour. Unfortunately, as a result many people with this disease are viewed with scepticism by medical practitioners and lay people alike and are often branded as hypochondriacs.

 

Another view of CFS and fibromyalgia is that the conditions are auto-immune diseases which are triggered by an infection. Most doctors take the view that Epstein-Barr virus, which is the virus that causes mononucleosis, is the primary culprit. This is rather doubtful, in my opinion, since most of the population is exposed to this virus early on in life without this virus triggering any serious long-term complications.

 

To get more understanding about Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Lyme Disease, watch this video – Unexplained Health Issues, Chronic Fatigue, Pain, Fibromyalgia, Anxiety, MS, Lyme Disease

 

Antibiotic Therapy for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

 

Then there is a new theory emerging among doctors who have used long-term antibiotic therapy to treat these conditions that fibromyalgia and CFS are not simply auto-immune diseases that are triggered by infections, but that the symptoms are signs of a chronic ongoing infectious disease process in the body.

 

These doctors claim to have had excellent results in the treatment of these syndromes using long-term antibiotics, often in very high dosages. They have also had very good results with treating other so called “auto-immune diseases” with long term antibiotic therapy. Often, patients suffering from fibromyalgia, CFS, and other diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis experience complete remissions after a long course of antibiotics.

 

The positive results that these patients are experiencing implies that many auto-immune diseases may actually be chronic undiagnosed bacterial infections. There are a number of pathogens that are not easily detected in the body through standard diagnostic procedures and that are not easily killed off through a short course of treatment. These pathogens may be involved in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. There is a new theory that chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia may be related to chronic mycobacterial infections.

 

Symptoms and Causes of Lyme Disease

 

It is also possible that many of these people actually suffer from Lyme Disease which has never been diagnosed due to the lack of proper testing. Lyme Disease is the fastest growing infectious disease in this country next to AIDS. Cases have been found in all of the lower forty-eight states.

 

Lyme Disease is caused by a spirochetal bacteria called borellia burgdorferi. Borellia burgdorferi is a very resilient and adaptable organism. Doctors with clinical experience in the treatment of this disease have noted that certain antibiotics work for certain forms that the bacteria can take, but not for others. The spirochete can take a cyst form where most antibiotics cannot reach it. It also hides in the joints of the body, in areas of poor circulation, and it may hide within the cells of the immune system.

 

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that only one in ten Lyme Disease patients are ever properly diagnosed. The CDC also estimates that it takes an average of thirteen doctors and an average of two years for these people to be properly diagnosed. By the time the diagnosis is made, the disease can be quite entrenched in the body.

 

There are also often many co-infections in Lyme Disease patients that may cause a host of other complications. Nevertheless, since the disease and its associated co-infections are caused by bacterial organisms, and these organisms can be killed, there is hope for recovery.

 

Lyme Disease can cause all of the many symptoms that people with fibromyalgia and CFS suffer from. It can cause achy muscles and joints, depression, fatigue, migraine headaches, tingling nerve sensations, insomnia, sleepiness, digestive problems, poor circulation, blurry vision, hearing irregularities, mental problems, weak limbs, pain in the rib cage, liver enzyme irregularities, hypothyroidism, an increased tendency for red blood cells to clump together, swollen lymph nodes, and much more. The irregularities in liver function may be responsible for the chemical sensitivities that many people with fibromyalgia and CFS experience.

 

Because the organism that causes the disease is often not in the bloodstream, it is difficult to diagnose the disease through testing. Doctors who are familiar with the disease tend to base their diagnosis mainly on the clinical symptoms the patient presents and the risk factors that the patient has had exposure to, using testing as only a secondary measure for making a diagnosis.

 

Side Effects of Antibiotic Therapy

 

According to the doctors who use it, long-term antibiotic therapy may help people who suffer from fibromyalgia, CFS, Lyme Disease, and many other “auto-immune diseases”. Nevertheless, there can be serious side effects from this type of therapy. Antibiotics used for a long period of time can cause kidney and liver damage. They can cause gallbladder problems. Many people also cannot tolerate oral antibiotics well because of the strain on their digestive system.

 

There are many alternative health options that can complement treatment with antibiotics, and which may reduce side effects, and there are many natural remedies that have antibiotic and immune-enhancing properties of their own.

 

Acupuncture Treatment for Fibromyalgia

 

Acupuncture may help to improve blood circulation and oxygenation to various areas of the body, enhancing the immune system’s ability to fight off infections. The increase in oxygenation can also create an inhospitable situation for bacteria that prefer a low oxygen environment. It also can stimulate the body to release natural pain-relieving opiates into the body.

 

The improvement in blood circulation as a result of acupuncture may also help to increase body temperature in hands and feet and other areas of the body that tend to get cold easily. These are often areas of the body where bacteria, such as borellia burgdorferi, which prefer a low body temperature, may tend to congregate. Acupuncture can be used in conjunction with antibiotic therapy. It may help to improve the efficacy of antibiotic therapy by improving circulation.

 

Herbs for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Symptom

 

According to Chinese research, there are many Chinese herbs that have immune enhancing and antibacterial properties. There are also many Chinese herbs that can help the various symptomatic aspects of fibromyalgia and CFS. Some herbs such as astragalus and schizandra can improve the body’s ability to handle stress and can boost immunity. Other herbs such as coptis and scutellaria have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

 

Zyzyphus seed may help with sleep problems and anxiety.

 

Bupleurum root may help relieve the mood swings and emotional aspects of fibromyalgia.

 

There are various types of ginseng that can help to improve one’s energy level. Pseudoginseng, frankincense, and myrrh can help stimulate blood circulation and may help with symptoms of muscle weakness due to poor circulation.

 

Walnuts, gingko biloba, frankincense, gotu kola, and fo-ti may all help with the brain fog and cognitive difficulties that many people with fibromyalgia and CFS experience.

 

Codonopsis, atractylodes, mint, and citrus peel may all help with digestive problems.

 

Chinese herbs are used together in herbal formulas that are individualized to address the pattern of disharmony that the person presents. They are generally not used separately on a symptom by symptom basis.

 

Herbs for Lyme Disease

 

For Lyme Disease, a few different Chinese herbs stand out for their potential usefulness. Smilax (tu fu ling), coptis (huang lian), garlic (da suan), houttuynia (yu xing cao), and teasel root (xu duan) are all herbs that appear to help to treat Lyme disease in different ways. Some of them have antibacterial properties, some strengthen the body generally, and some improve circulation.

 

Chinese herbal formulas such as Huang Lian Jie Du Tang, Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang, and Xiao Fu Zhu Yu Tang can be helpful. Formulas designed to clear heat, move qi and blood, tonify yang qi, and transform dampness can all be helpful for different patients depending on the pattern of disharmony they present.

 

After a long period of illness or for patients with emaciation and insomnia it may be necessary to nourish yin as well. People with a babesial co-infection, an infection with symptoms similar to malaria, generally need heat to be cleared from the shaoyang channel and need nourishing of yin.

 

Artemisia can be a useful herb for babesia. Babesia is a tiny parasite that infects your red blood cells. Infection with Babesia is called babesiosis. The parasitic infection is usually transmitted by a tick bite. Babesiosis often occurs at the same time as Lyme disease. The tick that carries the Lyme bacteria can also be infected with the Babesia parasite.

 

Artemisia has been shown to have anti-malarial properties in China and Vietnam. For people with Lyme Disease who have nerve problems, it may also be necessary to clear liver wind.

 

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Lyme Disease

 

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has been used to treat people with Lyme Disease. Many have experienced good results and there is ongoing scientific research at the moment concerning its efficacy.

 

The bacteria that causes Lyme Disease prefers an oxygen deprived environment. Its presence in the body appears to increase coagulation of blood and decrease circulation. It may thereby create the oxygen deprived environment that it prefers. This is great for the bacteria but can be the source of much of the difficulty that a person with this disease experiences.

 

Many of the symptoms that people with Lyme disease, CFS, or fibromyalgia complain of are similar to symptoms that people experience from altitude sickness, which is caused by oxygen deprivation at high altitudes. The fatigue, the mental difficulties, the sleepiness, the feeling of having a ton of bricks attached to one’s limbs are all similar to symptoms that people with altitude sickness experience.

 

It makes sense to me that creating an oxygen-rich environment could potentially be very helpful. It is important for testing for co-infections before beginning this process, because there are other bacteria that could be present that prefer a high oxygen environment, complicating the picture. There are potential side effects as well such as near-sightedness.

 

Supplements for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Symptom and Lyme Disease

 

Colloidal silver is supplement that may have broad-spectrum antibiotic properties. Its proponents claim that it can aid all sorts of conditions from asthma to rheumatoid arthritis. It did appear to help my fatigue quite a bit at the early stages of my Lyme disease.

 

There is the possibility that excessive use can cause a condition called argyria, which is a permanent bluish discoloration of the skin, although many people have huge quantities of colloidal silver with no problems at all.

 

It is also helpful to take an acidophilus supplement while using this supplement in order to replace the good bacteria in your intestines and prevent problems with candida. Large amounts may be required to have an impact on Lyme Disease.

 

It is possible to buy a colloidal silver generator and make your own colloidal silver at home. This is much cheaper than buying it on a regular basis at the health food store, but care must be taken to make it properly.

 

Magnesium appears to be a useful supplement for people with these conditions. Many people report an improvement in their muscle pain when taking a magnesium supplement on a regular basis. It is important to reduce intake of sugar, dairy products and bread while increasing intake of green vegetables.

 

Spirulina can be a useful addition to your health regimen as it is both nourishing and detoxifying. Spirulina is a type of blue-green micro-algae that's grown and harvested from very alkaline water sources. It was long used by the Aztecs as a food source because of its potent nutrient content. Spirulina is commonly found in several forms: tablets — which are chewable, fine powder, flakes, and pills or capsules.

 

It may also be helpful to reduce consumption of tomatoes as they seem to encourage acidity in the body.

 

Flax seed oil has an anti-inflammatory effect that can be very helpful.

 

Alpha-lipoic acid is a helpful antioxidant. It may help nerve function and improve liver function.

 

Aromatherapy for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Lyme Disease

 

Aromatherapy is one of the most promising holistic therapies for conditions such as fibromyalgia, CFS, and Lyme Disease, in my opinion. The essential oils are concentrated versions of the volatile components found in herbs.

 

It can take many pounds of plant matter to make an ounce of essential oil. For the most precious oil, made from the Bulgarian rose, it can take a ton of rose petals to make a pound of oil. Most of the oils have antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Many of them stimulate the immune system and trigger increased production of white blood cells. The oils also improve oxygenation of the body’s tissues and promote detoxification.

 

The essential oils may have a chelating effect, which means that they may assist in carrying toxins such as heavy metals out of the body. Some oils such as lavender can be sedative and aid with sleep and reduce anxiety.

 

Oil of oregano, which is a popular supplement found in health food stores is essential oil of oregano diluted in vegetable oil. It is almost always necessary to dilute the oils before using them because they are so concentrated.

 

Interestingly, many people with CFS, Lyme Disease, and fibromyalgia are likely to find that some of their symptoms worsen when inhaling the fragrance of the oils. This is often a detoxification reaction.

 

People with Lyme Disease generally seem to derive greatest benefits from stronger dilutions of essential oil than most aromatherapists typically use.

 

It is important to use with care when the oils are utilized in this manner. The oils are processed by the liver and kidneys and may cause liver and kidney problems in extremely high amounts. One should reduce the amount used if there is nausea or discontinue use if there is any allergic reaction.

 

People with these diseases may discover that much of their fatigue, muscle weakness, mental fogginess, and pain can be significantly reduced with regular application of the oils. The oils can be used diluted in vegetable oil for massage of affected areas of the body, and they can be used by the drop in one’s bath water.

 

The oils can also be absorbed into the bloodstream via the lungs simply by inhaling their fragrance. The oils also penetrate the blood-brain barrier and may be helpful for neurological issues due to infections or other reasons.

 

Some of the oils can trigger seizures in people prone to them. Some other oils, such as jasmine and ylang-ylang may help people to control seizures. Oil of oregano taken internally as directed can also be helpful in the treatment of Lyme Disease.

 

Massage Treatment for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

 

Massage can improve oxygenation of body tissues and improve blood circulation as well as reduce pain. If a person has fibromyalgia or CFS due to an infectious disease process, or a person has Lyme Disease, massage should only be used in combination with a therapy that is antibacterial in nature. Otherwise, it is likely to stir up dormant bacteria and stir up symptoms instead of providing symptom relief.

 

When massage is used in combination with a therapy that is antibiotic in nature, it may improve the efficacy of that therapy by bringing bacteria out of hiding in order to be killed. Deep tissue massage may improve the efficacy of treatment with antibiotics, with herbs, with aromatherapy, or with heat. Used on its own, though, it may stir up latent problems in people with these conditions.

 

Heat Treatment for Lyme Disease

 

Heat can be helpful for treating Lyme Disease because the bacteria appears to prefer a low body temperature and is vulnerable to high heat. There are many different sources of heat that can be used to treat this condition. Heat can also be helpful for people with fibromyalgia and CFS who may actually have undiagnosed cases of Lyme Disease.

 

People usually feel a worsening of symptoms before they feel an improvement with the use of heat. My personal theory is that this is because the heat stirs up the bacteria before it kills it off or triggers the immune system to kill the bacteria off. This is speculative on my part.

 

The use of saunas can be very useful. A far infrared heat lamp can be used on problem areas. Hot baths taken for forty minutes at 102-104 degrees Fahrenheit have been shown to enhance immune system response in people with infectious diseases and auto-immune disorders in a research study done at Bastyr University. A Chinese therapy called moxibustion can also be useful in warming problem areas.

 

I do not recommend the use of cold packs or ice for pain in people with Lyme Disease, fibromyalgia, or CFS as these therapies reduce circulation to areas where circulation is likely to already be compromised. Also, the bacteria that causes Lyme Disease appears to prefer a cool environment, so cold therapy may cause real problems in people with this condition.

 

Exercises for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Lyme Disease

 

In spite of the fatigue that people with fibromyalgia, CFS, and Lyme Disease may feel, a certain amount of exercise can be very beneficial if they are up to the challenge. It is important not to overexert oneself, but a brisk walk or other exercise that gets one’s heart pumping can be helpful.

 

Again, exercise can be helpful because it can improve circulation in the body and improve oxygenation of the body’s tissues. Exercises such as stretching and yoga that help to improve flexibility and loosen muscles can also be helpful.

 

Hot yoga, where yoga is done in a room where the heat is cranked up can be particularly helpful because it combines exercise with heat therapy. It is important not to push too hard when doing exercise. The point is to improve your health, and not to wipe yourself out more.

 

As you can see, fibromyalgia, CFS, and Lyme Disease are complex ailments, but there are many promising therapies that people with these conditions are likely to find helpful.

  

This article is from the Get Your Health Back – Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Freedom. It consists of a strategy filled with guides on sleep, pain, depression, anxiety, diet, exercise and fitness plans, diet plans and packed with 369 healthy and delicious recipes

 

To find out more about this program, visit the website - Get Your Health Back – Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Freedom

 

Relief of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – What Triggers Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

 

Click Here to Find Out the Holistic Guide to Combat Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia

Relief of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Risk Factors for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

 

When a child regularly feels down and does not exhibit an interest in playing or going to school, it may already be signs of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). This is a complex disorder characterized by profound fatigue and is not improved by bedrest. It may even be worsened by strenuous physical activities or excessive mental exertion. 

 

Children with CFS usually functioned at a much lower level of strength even before the onset of the illness. A child suffering from CFS may also show signs of general weakness, muscle pain, impaired memory or poor mental concentration, insomnia, and post-exertion fatigue that lasts for more than 24 hours.

 

To better understand this mysterious illness that afflicts thousands if not millions of children around the world, a team of researchers conducted a study to determine the connection between this specific illness to stress and emotional abuse. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), childhood trauma increases the child or adults' risk of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome by three to eightfold.

 

A separate study based on the data from the Swedish Twin Registry shows that stress is a triggering factor for the said fatigue syndrome. It also shows that emotional instability is a significant CFS risk factor, although genetic and family factors also determine whether this personality trait leads to excessive and regular fatigue.

 

Researchers from CDC support the hypothesis that CFS represents a disorder of adaptation that is promoted by early environmental factors such as lack of nutrition and emotional support --- which, later on, leads to failure to adequately respond to physical, mental, and emotional challenges.

 

In their separate study, researchers Karolinska Institute have found that stress is a significant risk factor for chronic fatigue-like illness, the effect of which may be buffered by genetic influences. Emotional instability recorded 25 years earlier among research subjects has been associated with chronic fatigue through genetic mechanisms contributing to both personality style and expression of the disorder.

 

The study was culled from a community-based sample of more than 56,000 residents of Wichita, Kansas. At the time of the study, they had identified 43 people with ongoing CFS. For the study, they compared these people to 60 matched people without fatigue. A key finding was that severe childhood trauma was linked to a higher risk of CFS. There was an eightfold higher risk of CFS with childhood sexual abuse, a 5.9-fold higher risk of CFS with childhood physical neglect, a 4.6-fold higher risk of CFS with childhood emotional neglect, a 4.3-fold higher risk of CFS with childhood physical abuse and a 2.9-fold higher risk of CFS with childhood emotional abuse.

 

These studies also suggest that CFS is part of a spectrum of disorders that are associated with childhood adversity. In adulthood, these disorders frequently manifest or worsen in relation to acute stress or challenge. These disorders might reflect the brain's inability to adapt or compensate in response to challenge, leading toward maladaptive responses and ultimately disease.

 

Other studies made on more than 19,000 twins born in Sweden revealed that emotionally instability was linked to a 72% higher risk of CFS symptoms. Emotional instability is a personality trait and tends to result in low self-esteem and feelings of anxiety, depression, and guilt.

 

In conclusion, emotional instability is a serious risk factor for CFS, whether a person with this personality trait actually gets CFS depends on unknown genetic and family factors. Thus, emotional instability is an indirect risk factor for CFS, while stress is a direct risk factor.

 

Virgin Coconut Oil for Relief of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

 

For centuries, coconut oil has been considered a vital source of food for health and general well-being.   In tropical countries where coconut palm trees abound, locals have long been benefitting from this so called “Tree of Life”. 

 

Research shows that virgin coconut oil, like mother's milk, is rich in lauric acid which is known for its antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiprotozoal properties needed for good health and well-being.  Like all things pure and natural, the virgin coconut oil is extracted from fresh coconuts unlike other commercial grade oil which came from dried coconut meat of copra.  Virgin coconut oil has an important role in finding cure and remedy for many of the illnesses brought upon by unhealthy lifestyle and the refined diet of modern living.

 

According to research, coconut oil has the highest source of saturated fats and medium chain fatty acids which is necessary to increase metabolism and are more easily digested than fats found in other oils.  And because the medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil are absorbed quickly by the tissues and converted into energy, people suffering from chronic fatigue would gain a great deal of benefit when they take coconut oil in their diet.

 

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome used to be considered as an imaginary ailment.  But nowadays, it has been affecting women between 30's and 50's and has become a problem of growing concerns among 3 million Americans and 90 million people worldwide.

 

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a condition characterized by prolonged and extreme tiredness that is not relieved by rest and is not directly caused by other medical conditions.  Such fatigue is so severe that it keeps one from getting involve in regular activities.  Thus, CFS may cause possible social isolation as well as lifestyle restrictions.

 

Researchers are still in a quandary as to the cause of this condition.  However, some quarters suspect that it could be caused by a virus called Epstein-Barr or human herpes virus-6 (HHV-6), though no definite viral cause has been identified.

 

According to research, CFS may be caused by inflammation of pathways in the nervous system.  This inflammation seems to act as immune response.  CFS may develop when a viral disease is complicated by a problem with the body's immune response.  Different factors such as age, prior illness, stress, environment, or genetics may also play a role.

 

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) describes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as a distinct disorder with specific symptoms and physical signs, based on ruling out other possible causes. The number of persons with CFS is unknown.

 

Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome may be similar to those of common viral infections such as muscle aches, headache, and fatigue often developing within a few hours or days and lasting for six months or more.

 

Main symptoms:

 

·         Fatigue or tiredness – a kind of exhaustion that has never been experienced before by the patient to this extent before (new onset) which lasts for at least six months and not relieved by bed rest

·         Fatigue that is so severe it restricts activity (serious fatigue develops with less than one-half of the exertion compared to before the illness)

 

Other symptoms:

 

·         Fatigue lasting more than 24 hours after an amount of exercise that would normally be easily tolerated

·         Mild fever (101 degrees F or less)

·         Sore throat

·         Lymph node tenderness in the neck or armpit

·         muscle weakness all over or multiple locations, not explained by any known disorder

·         Muscle aches also known as myalgas

·         Feeling unrefreshed after sleeping an adequate amount of time

·         Headaches, different from previous headaches in quality, severity, or pattern

·         Joint pain, often moving from joint to joint (migratory arthralgias), without joint swelling or redness

·         Forgetfulness or other similar symptoms including difficulty concentrating, confusion, or irritability

 

Once you experience persistent, extreme fatigue, with or without other symptoms of this disorder, contact your professional health care provider. Other more serious disorders can cause similar symptoms and should be ruled out.

 

With coconut oil now considered as a functional food, modern medicine is looking at it as a powerful tool against disease of the immune system as well as chronic fatigue syndrome.  Many research has been undertaken on its effectiveness, and further studies are currently underway on the outstanding nutritional value of coconut oil.

 

To find out more about relief of chronic fatigue syndrome, watch this video - Complete Guide on How I Cured ME/CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome)

 

This article is from the Get Your Health Back – Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Freedom. It consists of a strategy filled with guides on sleep, pain, depression, anxiety, diet, exercise and fitness plans, diet plans and packed with 369 healthy and delicious recipes

 

To find out more about this program, visit the website - Get Your Health Back – Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Freedom

 

Overcome Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome – How Do You Deal with Adrenal Fatigue?

Click Here to Find Out the Holistic Guide to Combat Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia

Overcome Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome - Adrenal Fatigue and How to Beat It

Your adrenal glands are two tiny pyramid-shaped pieces of tissue situated right above each kidney. Their job is to produce and release, when appropriate, certain regulatory hormones and chemical messengers.

Adrenaline is manufactured in the interior of the adrenal gland, called the adrenal medulla. Cortisol, the other chemical from the adrenal gland, is made in the exterior portion of the gland, called the adrenal cortex. The cortex also secretes androgens, estrogens, and progestins. Cortisol, commonly called hydrocortisone, is the most abundant -- and one of the most important -- of many adrenal cortex hormones. Cortisol helps you handle longer-term stress situations.

In addition to helping you handle stress, these two primary adrenal hormones, adrenaline and cortisol, along with others similarly produced, help control body fluid balance, blood pressure, blood sugar, and other central metabolic functions.

In the heightened nervous state of adrenal burnout, the body overproduces adrenaline, cortisol and other stress hormones. Constant stress and poor nutrition can weaken the adrenal glands. Eventually, this causes the adrenal glands, the front line in the stress reaction, to show wear and tear and become depleted. This frequently leads to impairment in the thyroid gland, which can cause a further decline in energy level and mood and is one of the reasons why many people have thyroid glands that don’t work well.

When stress continues over prolonged periods of time, the adrenal glands can deplete the body's hormonal and energy reserves, and the glands may either shrink in size or hypertrophy (enlarge). The overproduction of adrenal hormones caused by prolonged stress can weaken the immune system and inhibit the production of white blood cells that protect the body against foreign invaders (in particular lymphocytes and lymph node function).

Adrenal dysfunction can disrupt the body's blood sugar metabolism, causing weakness, fatigue, and a feeling of being run down. It can also interfere with normal sleep rhythms and produce a wakeful, unrelaxing sleep state, making a person feel worn out even after a full night's sleep.

Common Causes of Adrenal Stress

•           Anger

•           Fear / Worry /Anxiety

•           Depression

•           Guilt

•           Overwork/ physical or mental strain

•           Excessive exercise

•           Sleep deprivation

•           Light-cycle disruption

•           Going to sleep late

•           Surgery

•           Trauma/injury

•           Chronic inflammation

•           Chronic infection

•           Chronic pain

•           Temperature extremes

•           Toxic exposure

•           Malabsorption

•           Maldigestion

•           Chronic illness

•           Chronic-severe allergies

•           Hypoglycaemia

•           Nutritional deficiencies

Testing for Adrenal Health

In order to determine the health of your adrenal glands you need to have a simple blood, urine, or saliva test such as the Adrenal Stress Index performed by your practitioner. Cortisol levels can be checked throughout the day by saliva or in the am by blood. DHEA, and Epinephrine, are some other indicators of adrenal function. The information provided by testing can help to determine the most appropriate type of treatment.

Associated Symptoms and Consequences of Impaired Adrenal Functioning

•           Low body temperature

•           Weakness

•           Unexplained hair loss

•           Nervousness/Panic Attacks

•           Difficulty building muscle

•           Irritability

•           Mental depression

•           Difficulty gaining weight

•           Apprehension

•           Hypoglycemia

•           Inability to concentrate

•           Excessive hunger

•           Tendency towards inflammation

•           Moments of confusion

•           Indigestion

•           Poor memory

•           Feelings of frustration

•           Alternating diarrhea and constipation

•           Osteoporosis

•           Auto-immune diseases/hepatitis

•           Lightheadedness

•           Palpitations [heart fluttering]

•           Dizziness that occurs upon standing

•           Poor resistance to infections

•           Low blood pressure

•           Insomnia

•           Food and/or inhalant allergies

•           PMS

•           Craving for sweets

•           Dry and thin skin

•           Headaches

•           Scanty perspiration

•           Alcohol intolerance

Overcome Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome – Treatment

Lifestyle changes such as:

Eating steadily, all day long. Skipping meals is one of the worst things you can do for your body. When you're hungry, your blood sugar drops, stressing your adrenal glands and triggering your sympathetic nervous system. That causes light-headedness, cravings, anxiety and fatigue. Another drawback to skipping meals: The resulting low blood sugar can affect your ability to think clearly and shorten your attention span.

Skipping breakfast is particularly bad, as it is a sure-fire way to gain, not lose, weight. If you start each morning with a good breakfast and "graze" healthfully every two to four hours, your blood sugar will remain steady throughout the day. You'll feel more rested and energetic. Eat protein with every meal. Eat Complex carbohydrates such as brown rice. Avoid sugar, junk food, white pasta, white rice, white bread.

Absolutely NO Caffeine. Coffee/Sodas over stimulates your adrenals and they deplete important B vitamins.

Coffee does not give you energy; coffee gives you the illusion of energy. Coffee actually drains the body of energy and makes you more tired, because of vitamin and adrenal depletion. 

Exercise to relax. Walking, Yoga, deep breathing, meditation, or stretching. No vigorous or aerobic exercise, which depletes the adrenals.

Avoid alcohol, processed foods, and tobacco.  Nicotine in tobacco initially raises cortisol levels, but chronic use results in low DHEA, testosterone, and progesterone levels.

Reduce stress; learn relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, progressive muscle relaxation.

Overcome Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome - Helpful Supplements

The use of small amounts of natural adrenal hormone (hydrocortisone) to bring slightly low adrenal function up to its proper normal daily range is often helpful.

Take a daily multivitamin to provide nutritional support to the adrenal gland.

Vitamin C 1,000-3,000 mg a day

L-Theanine 100-400 mg a day

Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) 300 mg a day 

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), no more than 1000 mg of glycyrrhizin

Overcome Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome - Caffeine Addiction and Chronic Fatigue Recovery

In spite of being a constituent in products commonly used for energy, caffeine over-stimulates the adrenal glands, which only causes the illusion of an increase in energy due to increasing the hormone adrenaline. Over time, excessive use of caffeinated substances will cause an adrenal addiction and the glands will produce less adrenaline naturally until they no longer produce at all, which will lead to  permanent fatigue since the adrenals are not known to regenerate.

Those addicted to caffeine are on a dangerous downhill slope and need to take decisive action because it will only get harder to recover later. Naturally with everyone having to run around as a ‘human doing’ rather than as a ‘human being’ just to make ends meet in society today, the last thing most people have the energy for is to break a habit.

Breaking habits definitely requires substantially more energy to overcome them than it does to maintain the habit, but almost all of this is mental—a purely mental battle where one generally surrenders to routines rather than muster the strength or courage to break through to a new level.

Mental fatigue is becoming more commonplace and it is a huge factor in the overall energy of the body itself, so even thoughts about change that will require more energy can be tiresome for an individual with chronic fatigue syndrome.

The general response to the thought of quitting caffeine is that it is needed for energy, however admittedly dysfunctional that may be, and it would be too difficult to survive the day without it. So, it is actually the crystallized fear of fatigue that encodes the belief that one cannot overcome it or do without it. However, there is a way to overcome fatigue, particularly chronic fatigue while recovering from long-term caffeine addiction.

Effective caffeine elimination should be done gradually if it is to be a smooth transition without putting the body into shock. A common side effect of strict elimination after extended periods of use is headaches from caffeine withdrawal, which is also a clear sign of the addiction in the body. Generally, a gradual period over a month or two is a reasonable goal to set for complete transition away from caffeinated substances.

The most common culprits for caffeine intake are coffee, tea (excluding herbal teas), sodas, and chocolate, which are not usually issues if enjoyed in moderation. However, when significant amounts are consumed daily, the body is thrown from its natural state of balance within the physiology of its physical and energetic systems.

Contributing factors exacerbated by caffeine addiction as a compounding factor are surface breathing, hormone imbalances, and a lowered immune system. Concentration on these three main areas while weaning off of caffeine can make the transition much smoother for most people. Treatment of a condition is often formulaic, targeting the combination of root stresses responsible for its existence.

Surface breathing is how most people breathe, which is too shallow, and changing breathing patterns requires a conscious effort. It is well worth the discipline to breathe deeply and efficiently because deeper breath oxygenates the blood more completely and facilitates the removal of toxins from the blood stream. Increased oxygenation is a major factor that improves all of the bodily systems, organs, and vital forces necessary for fully functioning holistic health.

Hormone imbalances in the thyroid, pineal and pituitary glands can be contributing factors in fatigue-related issues. The hormones in these glands are easily imbalanced by increased adrenaline in the system, thus their functions are interrupted by continual caffeine consumption. If allowed to continue for long periods of time these imbalances can be completely disruptive to many systems of the body and its energies.

The immune system can be strengthened by the above mentioned breathing exercises to help with the elimination of toxins, however, when the immune system has been suppressed for long periods of time it is necessary to take purifying and immune-enhancing substances to bring the body back into harmonious balance. Getting proper rest, enough vitamins and minerals, and drinking enough water are the cornerstones of restoring the body to health, in addition to taking herbal extracts that have tonic actions on specific systems.

While herbal extracts are a part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle within alternative medicine, they should never be used to the exclusion of qualified care from a licensed physician. Both modalities are important for balance and seeking out a physician that is open to alternative therapies is worth the effort it takes to find one.

Watch this video - How to Overcome Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome | Dr. Josh Axe

This article is from the Get Your Health Back – Fibromyalgia& Chronic Fatigue Freedom. It consists of a strategy filled with guides on sleep, pain, depression, anxiety, diet, exercise and fitness plans, diet plans and packed with 369 healthy and delicious recipes

To find out more about this program, visit the website - Get Your Health Back – Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Freedom