![What Is the Fastest Way to Cure Adrenal Fatigue](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/how-do-you-fix-adrenal-fatigue.jpg?output-quality=75)
Adrenal fatigue, also called adrenal insufficiency or Addison’s disease, is believed to occur when the adrenal glands are overworked. The adrenal glands are located above the kidneys and produce hormones such as adrenaline, dehydroepiandrosterone, and cortisol. These play important roles in various physiological functions.
Adrenal fatigue can be reduced with diet, exercise, and sleep. Most people recover from adrenal fatigue within a few weeks, although others may take months or longer to recover. There is a wide range of therapies that can help improve symptoms of adrenal fatigue.
What is the fastest way to cure adrenal fatigue? 13 tips
1. Follow a plant-based diet
A plant-based diet can help your body detox and relieve the physical symptoms of adrenal fatigue. Your body digests plant-based foods more easily, which puts less stress on your system. Whole and plant-based foods include:
- Leafy greens
- Colored vegetables
- Whole grains
- Fruits
- Beans
- Nuts and seeds
- High-quality protein
- Healthy fats
- Slow-burning carbohydrates
Limit your intake of processed carbs, such as bread, pasta, crackers, and chips, to keep your blood sugar levels steady.
2. Get enough protein
Protein deficiency is a major cause of fatigue. Make sure that you consume lean protein, such as chicken, fish, eggs, soy, and lentils, to improve muscle mass and fight fatigue.
However, avoid red meat such as cow meat. When you eat cow meat, any chemicals ingested by a cow, such as herbicides and insecticides, enter your body as toxins. Adhering to a meat-free diet for a short period can help you cleanse and detoxify your body.
3. Avoid processed foods
French fries, cookies, chips, and other fried, sugary, and fatty foods can worsen your symptoms. They contain chemicals, including preservatives, that may make your hormones go haywire and worsen your fatigue.
4. Eat regular meals
When you skip meals or ignore hunger cues, it can have an impact on your adrenal health. Irregular meal scheduling can cause your blood sugar to drop too low between meals, prompting your body to release too much cortisol to correct glucose imbalances. For example, eating breakfast is crucial because it restores your blood sugar levels after depleting glycogen stores during the night.
Adrenal fatigue can make it harder for your body to store energy from the foods you eat, so eating small, regular meals and snacks can help fight symptoms of fatigue.
5. Stay well hydrated
Hydration is crucial for the endocrine system. Without adequate water intake, your body cannot deliver nutrients and hormones to your cells. Dehydration can worsen fatigue, muscle aches, and cramps. The ideal quantity of water is half your body weight in ounces per day. For example, a 160-pound individual should drink roughly 80 ounces of water each day.
6. Avoid caffeine
Although caffeine can give you an instant energy boost, it can also leave you more drained and jittery. Avoid caffeine especially during the evening or at night because it can disrupt your sleep.
7. Exercise regularly
Exercise promotes the release of various chemicals such as endorphins in the brain that help improve mood and focus, reduce fatigue, and alleviate pain. Begin with low-intensity workouts, such as leisurely walks or swimming, weight training, and stretching, and gradually increase the intensity as your symptoms improve. Spending more time outside, especially in nature, is also beneficial for fitness and mental well-being.
8. Limit your exposure to toxins
Your surroundings have a significant impact on your mental and physical well-being. Toxins and harsh chemicals can affect your adrenal health if you are exposed to them for an extended period.
Reduce your usage of fragrances, traditional home cleaning products, and anything else that has an unpleasant chemical odor. Keep large indoor plants in your house, as they act as natural air filters that clean indoor air.
9. Consider magnesium supplements
People with adrenal fatigue are often deficient in magnesium. Magnesium is a trace mineral necessary for quality sleep, blood pressure regulation, heart rhythm regulation, muscle relaxation, etc.
Magnesium deficiency in individuals with adrenal fatigue is typically caused by a poor diet. In addition, your body tends to deplete its natural magnesium reserves during periods of chronic stress. Replacing lost magnesium can help people with adrenal fatigue, allowing them to gain greater overall health and recovery from their overworked adrenal glands.
10. Get adequate sleep
Getting at least 6-8 hours of sleep is vital for overall health and can help you get rid of adrenal fatigue. However, sleep quality is considerably more important than sleep quantity, especially when it comes to cortisol balance.
People with adrenal fatigue often have the most peaceful sleep between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. but frequently wake up between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. Their adrenals struggle to produce enough cortisol, so they run out of food stores between these hours. The brain wakes them up because it does not have enough energy to run on. When your cortisol levels are fluctuating, you may have difficulty sleeping, which stresses you out more, causing an endless cycle.
11. Reduce stress
Meditation is a great way to relax your mind and body and reduce stress. You can also try deep breathing exercises to help regulate your body’s functions and lower your stress levels.
12. Try aromatherapy
Studies have shown that breathing lavender essential oil helps lower cortisol levels. You can try using aromatherapy diffusers for deep relaxation. Another option is to apply 1-2 drops of essential oil to the bottoms of your feet or the spine twice a day to reduce stress.
13. Treat underlying health conditions
Your symptoms could be a result of underlying diseases, such as fibromyalgia, heart conditions, or multiple sclerosis. Get regular health check-ups to make sure you receive early diagnosis and treatment.
![](https://images.medicinenet.com//images/slideshow/12_causes_od_fatigue_s1_man_checking_cellphone_in_bed.jpg)
SLIDESHOW
The 14 Most Common Causes of Fatigue See SlideshowWhat adrenal fatigue feels like
The most common symptoms of adrenal fatigue include:
- General exhaustion and tiredness
- Low energy levels
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Increased cravings for salt, sugar, and caffeine
- Weight gain
- Inability to lose weight
- Weakened immunity
- Allergies
- Blood pressure fluctuations
- Insomnia (trouble falling asleep)
- Inability to wake up
- Difficulty focusing and remembering
- Worsening premenstrual and premenopausal symptoms
- Menstrual irregularities
- Low libido
What is the root cause of adrenal fatigue?
Adrenal fatigue can occur when one or more adrenal hormones decrease due to:
- Severe prolonged stress, both physical and emotional
- Extreme exercise
- Undetected infections
- Chronic disease
- Exposure to toxins
- Poor diet or eating habits
- Severe injury
- Surgery
- Irregular sleep habits
Adrenal fatigue is not a recognized medical condition, so it is not included in the International Classification of Diseases. Because of this, it can be difficult to diagnose.
What is adrenal fatigue vs. adrenal insufficiency?
According to a systematic review involving 58 studies published in the peer-reviewed journal BMC Endocrine Disorders, adrenal fatigue is a myth rather than an actual medical condition. There are no diagnostic criteria for this condition to differentiate healthy individuals from those with adrenal fatigue based on biochemical tests (such as serum cortisol levels).
The proponents of adrenal fatigue, however, claim that it could be a mild form of adrenal insufficiency. The latter is a condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce the hormone cortisol in sufficient amounts. The adrenal fatigue theory suggests that prolonged exposure to stress could result in draining and exhausting the adrenals, causing low cortisol levels and several symptoms.
Unlike adrenal fatigue, adrenal insufficiency is a recognized medical entity with classic symptoms including:
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness
- Loss of weight
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Diarrhea
- Depression
- Lightheadedness
- Loss of body hair
As of now, none of the medical specialties recognize adrenal fatigue as a medical condition because there is no scientific evidence to associate adrenal impairment or adrenal insufficiency with fatigue. Studies have shown that when the cortisol level was checked several times over 24 hours, there was no difference in the levels between fatigued and healthy patients in most of the studies.
When to contact a doctor about fatigue
If you have symptoms of fatigue, brain fog, or lack of energy, seek medical attention to obtain a correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Your symptoms could be a result of:
- Anemia
- Depression
- Fibromyalgia
- Multiple sclerosis
- Sleep apnea
- Heart problems
- Kidney disease
- Lung disease
- Diabetes
- Metabolic syndrome
- Hormonal changes (such as during the perimenopausal period or due to hypothyroidism)
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Side effects of medications
Proper diagnosis and treatment are necessary for suitable and effective management of any underlying health conditions.
Adrenal fatigue does not exist: a systematic review. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27557747/
Adrenal Fatigue. https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/adrenal-fatigue
Adrenal fatigue: What causes it? https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/addisons-disease/expert-answers/adrenal-fatigue/faq-20057906
Cadegiani FA, Kater CE. Adrenal fatigue does not exist: a systematic review [published correction appears in BMC Endocr Disord. 2016 Nov 16;16(1):63]. BMC Endocr Disord. 2016;16(1):48. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4997656/
Endocrine Society. Adrenal Fatigue. https://www.hormone.org/diseases-and-conditions/adrenal-fatigue
Top How Do You Fix Adrenal Fatigue? Related Articles
Adrenocortical Carcinoma
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is rare cancer that affects the adrenal glands located on the top of the kidneys. Adrenal glands are one of the endocrine glands that produce cortisol, aldosterone and adrenaline hormones, which regulate the body's most important functions. Adrenal cancer or adrenocortical carcinoma commonly affects children (aged younger than five years) and middle-aged adults (aged 40 to 50 years). Women are at a higher risk than men.Adrenocortical Carcinoma in Children
Pediatric adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare type of cancer. It mostly occurs in the outer layer of the adrenal gland during the first five years of life or adolescence. An adrenocortical tumor is a cancer of the adrenal glands with a female gender predominance. Most tumors (9 out of 10) of the adrenal cortex in children are functioning tumors. They may cause signs or symptoms, depending on the type of hormone made by the tumor, whether it is excess androgen hormone or excess estrogen and cortisol.calcium acetate
Calcium acetate is a medication used to reduce blood phosphate levels (hyperphosphatemia), a complication associated with advanced kidney disease. Common side effects of calcium acetate include hypercalcemia, itching (pruritus), swelling (edema), dizziness, weakness, headache, low magnesium levels in blood (hypomagnesemia), low phosphate levels in blood (hypophosphatemia), irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia), and low blood pressure (hypotension).Fatigue Causes Slides
Always feeling tired? Learn more about the causes of fatigue. Get tips to relieve symptoms of fatigue. Feel less tired and start living awake and refreshed.Chronic Fatigue Quiz
Exhausted all the time? Maybe it's not all in the mind. Take the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) Quiz to learn more about tricky condition.Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS or SEID)
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID) is a debilitating and complex disorder characterized by profound fatigue that lasts 6 months or longer, is not improved by bed rest, and may be worsened by physical or mental activity.Chronic Fatigue Slides
What is chronic fatigue syndrome? CFS can occur at any age for men or women. Learn more about the causes of CFS, as well as tests and treatments associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.Fatigue and Exhaustion
Fatigue can be described in various ways. Sometimes fatigue is described as feeling a lack of energy and motivation (both mental and physical). The causes of fatigue are generally related to a variety of conditions or diseases, for example, anemia, mono, medications, sleep problems, cancer, anxiety, heart disease, and drug abuse.Treatment of fatigue is generally directed toward the condition or disease that is causing the fatigue.
glandular products
Glandular products are nutritional supplements used to enhance the function or mimic the effect of an organ. Glandular products can be used to treat hypothyroidism, low adrenal function, autoimmune disorders, adrenocortical insufficiency, hyperkalemia, ulcerative colitis, liver disorders, vascular insufficiencies, pancreatic disorders, and others. Common side effects of glandular products include allergic reactions, hyperthyroidism symptoms, iron overload, infection, and others.mannitol
Mannitol is a diuretic medication used to treat acute kidney failure in the phase of reduced urine output (oliguric phase), to increase urination and improve kidney function before the kidney is irreversibly damaged. Common side effects of mannitol include pulmonary congestion, fluid and electrolyte imbalance, excess acidity of body fluids and tissue (metabolic acidosis), electrolyte loss, dryness of mouth, thirst, dehydration, increased urination (marked diuresis), urinary retention, reduced or absent urination (oliguria or anuria), blood in urine (hematuria), acute kidney injury; increase in blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and other waste products (azotemia), and others.What Are the Side Effects of Having Your Left Adrenal Gland Removed?
The adrenal glands are triangular glands located above the kidneys. They provide essential hormones that control the body's fluid and salt regulation. They also produce hormones that control our fear, anger, blood pressure, muscle development, sexual drive and sugar metabolism. A laparoscopic adrenalectomy or adrenal gland removal procedure is necessary for some tumors.What Are the Side Effects of Having Your Right Adrenal Gland Removed?
The adrenal glands are triangular glands located above the kidneys. They provide essential hormones that control the body's fluid and salt regulation. They also produce hormones that control our fear, anger, blood pressure, muscle development, sexual drive and sugar metabolism. Right adrenal gland removal or adrenalectomy is indicated for tumors in the gland.What Are the Signs of an Adrenal Crisis?
Signs of an adrenal crisis include dizziness, abdominal pain, weakness, nausea, vomiting, and more. Learn about the causes and treatment of an adrenal crisis. Check out the center below for more medical references on hormonal disorders, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related diseases, treatment, diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.What Are the Symptoms of Adrenal Burnout?
Adrenal burnout refers to a group of symptoms that includes insomnia, brain fog, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Check out the center below for more medical references on hormone disorders, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.What Can Cause Fatigue?
Fatigue is a constant, lingering feeling of exhaustion. Fatigue can also be caused by a number of factors working in combination including lifestyle factors, shift work, emotional factors, medications and chronic fatigue syndrome.yerba mate
Yerba mate tea is used for many purposes including weight loss, fatigue, headache, and improving memory, thinking skills and athletic performance, however, there are no scientific studies to back these uses. Do not take yerba mate if you have high blood pressure (hypertension). Do not take yerba mate if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and do not give it to children. Common side effects of yerba mate include excess stimulation, insomnia, upset stomach, hypertension, increase in heart rate, inhibition of platelet aggregation, and increased risk for esophageal and other cancers with excessive use.