Fatigue and lethargy are some of the most common complaints amongst adult patients. If you have symptoms such as tiredness, fearfulness, allergies, frequent influenza, arthritis, anxiety, depression, reduced memory, difficulties in concentrating, insomnia, worn-out, and the inability to lose weight after extensive effort you may be suffering from Adrenal Fatigue (technically known as hypoadrenia).

Adrenal Fatigue has a broad spectrum of non-specific, yet often debilitating symptoms. The onset of this condition is often slow and insidious. Patients are told that they are stressed and need to learn to relax more. Yes, we all know that “stress kills” to a large extent. But, the question is how?

The real truth is that stress and Adrenal Fatigue are not a mysterious entity at all. Our body has a built-in mechanism to deal with it. Being able to handle stress is a key to survival, and the control center in our bodies is the adrenal glands.

Adrenal Fatique Video

Adrenal Fatigue was first described in the medical texts in the 1800′s as a clinical condition. It was one of the most prevalent conditions, afflicting almost every adult in one way or another. Despite effective diagnostic tools and treatment programs, most conventional physicians were simply not informed of Adrenal Fatigue and not prepared to take Adrenal Fatigue as a serious threat to health. This condition was seldom diagnosed as a sickness for the past 50 years. Instead, Adrenal Fatigue was considered a condition whereby no treatment was available other than to tell the person to “relax” and take anti-depressants. This often makes the condition worse as the root cause is left unresolved. Over time, the condition worsens as the natural progression of this pathology takes its course. Adrenal Fatigue is not a medical condition recognized by mainstream institutions, though it is now being taken seriously by forward looking physicians.

Adrenal Fatigue should not be confused with another medical condition called Addison’s disease where the adrenal glands are not functioning. While Addison’s disease is often caused by an auto-immune dysfunction, Adrenal Fatigue is largely caused by stress along with a host of other factors. Adrenal Fatigue is the non-Addison’s form of adrenal dysfunction sub-clinically. Unfortunately, conventional medicine only recognizes Addison’s disease as hypoadrenia. As such, do not be surprised if your doctor is unfamiliar with this condition.

Signs and Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue:

* Tendency to gain weight and unable to lose it, especially around the waist.
* High frequency of getting the flu and other respiratory diseases and these symptoms tend to last longer than usual.
* Tendency to tremble when under pressure.
* Reduced sex drive.
* Lightheaded when rising from a horizontal position.
* Unable to remember things.
* Lack of energy in the mornings and in the afternoon between 3 to 5 pm.
* Feel better suddenly for a brief period after a meal.
* Often feel tired from 9 – 10 pm, but resist going to bed.
* Need coffee or stimulants to get going in the morning.
* Cravings for salty, fatty, and high protein food such as meat and cheese.
* Increased symptoms of PMS for women; periods are heavy and then stop, or are almost stopped on the 4th day, only to start flow again on the 5th or 6th day.
* Pain in the upper back or neck with no apparent reason.
* Feels better when stress is relieved, such as on a vacation.
* Difficulties in getting up in the morning.
* Lightheaded.

Other signs and symptoms include:

* Mild depression
* Food and or inhalant allergies
* Lethargy and lack of energy
* Increased effort to perform daily tasks
* Decreased ability to handle stress
* Dry and thin skin
* Hypoglycemia
* Low body temperature
* Nervousness
* Palpitation
* Unexplained hair loss
* Alternating constipation and diarrhea
* Dyspepsia

If you have many of these signs and symptoms, and you have ruled out other organic pathologies, it is time to consider Adrenal Fatigue as a possible cause. None of the signs or symptoms by themselves can definitively pinpoint Adrenal Fatigue. When taken as a group, these signs and symptoms do form a specific Adrenal Fatigue syndrome or picture of a person under stress. These signs and symptoms are often the end result of acute, severe, chronic, or excessive stress and the inability of the body to reduce such stress. Stress, once a “basket” term used by physicians to explain non-specific symptoms, undetectable by conventional blood tests, is not a mystery to the body at all.

The ability to handle stress, physical or emotional, is a cornerstone to human survival. Our body has a complete set of stress modulation systems in place, and the control center is the adrenal glands. When these glands become dysfunctional, our body’s ability to handle stress is reduced.

Adrenal Gland Basics

The adrenal glands are two small glands, each about the size of a large grape. They are situated on top of the kidneys. Their purpose is to help the body cope with stress and help it to survive. Each adrenal gland has two compartments. The inner or medulla compartment, modulates the sympathetic nervous system through secretion and regulation of two hormones, called epinephrine and norepinephrine, which are responsible for the fight or flight response. The outer adrenal cortex comprises 80 percent of the adrenal gland and is responsible for producing over 50 different types of hormones in three major classes – glucocorticoids, mineralcorticoids and androgens.

The most important glucocorticoid is cortisol. When this is lowered, the body will be unable to deal with stress. This happens in Adrenal Fatigue.

Mineralcorticoids, such as aldosterone, modulate the delicate balance of minerals in the cell, especially sodium and potassium. It therefore regulates our blood pressure and the fluid in the body. Stress increases the release of aldosterone, causing sodium retention (leading to water retention and high blood pressure) and the loss of potassium and magnesium in the early stages of Adrenal Fatigue. Magnesium is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body. When the body lacks magnesium, it will suffer from a variety of pathological conditions such as cardiac arrhythmias.

The adrenal cortex is also responsible for producing all of the sex hormones, although in small amounts. One exception is DHEA, a weak androgenic hormone that is made in large amounts in both sexes. DHEA, together with testosterone and estrogen, are made from pregnenolone.

Pregnenolone also leads to the production of progesterone and is one of the intermediary steps in the making of cortisol. Pregnenolone is therefore one of the most important intermediate hormones being produced in the hormonal cascade. Prolonged deficiencies in pregnenolone, which are found in Adrenal Fatigue, will lead to the reduction of both glucocorticosteroids and mineralcorticoids such as cortisol and aldosterone respectively.

Read more about Adrenal Fatigue here …

Quality Free Medical Advice Online by Vivienne Balonwu. A variety of general health advice and news online.

Hypothyroidism

The thyroid gland lies in the neck, just below the Adam’s apple. It is responsible for how fast or slow the metabolism of the body runs, and thyroid hormones are essential for the normal and smooth running of the body.

An underactive or hypothyroid gland is the commonest thyroid illness, being more common in women than men and increasing with age. The two important thyroid hormones are thyroxine (T4) and tri-iodothyronine (T3).

The production of these hormones is stimulated by another hormone called thyroid stimulating hormone, or TSH. If levels of thyroid hormones drop, the amount of TSH increases to try to manufacture more – the lower the level of thyroid hormone, the higher the TSH level.

What causes Hypothyroidism?

Possible Causes Of Hypothyroidism Are;

¤ A lack of iodine in the diet (rare in the Western world because iodine is added to table salt).

¤ The thyroid gland is itself attacked by the body – a condition usually called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

¤ After thyroid surgery e.g. for thyroid cancer.

¤ After a viral illness or pregnancy – this is usually temporary, and may last 3 to 6 months before a full recovery is made.

¤ Certain medications such as Amiodarone or Lithium.

¤ Primary hypothyroidism – the cause in most people. Here, there is no obvious reason for the thyroid hormones being low and the TSH being high.

What Are Signs And Symptoms Hypothyroidism?

If hypothyroidism is mild there may be no symptoms at all, and any symptoms which occur are sometimes ignored by the patient or put down to ‘age’. They are all caused by the slowed metabolism of the body, so symptoms usually include some or all of the following;

¤ tiredness

¤ weakness

¤ an intolerance or dislike of the cold

¤ constipation

¤ dry skin and dry, coarse hair

¤ a hoarse or ‘croaky’ voice

¤ weight gain

¤ depression

¤ irregular periods

If left untreated, severe hypothyroidism can cause enlargement of the heart, fluid on the lungs and severe drowsiness. In extreme cases, death may ensue.
Will I have any tests or investigations?
Some cases will be obvious from the history and examination of the patient, but blood tests will be needed to confirm the diagnosis. The raised TSH test result is probably the most reliable indicator here, with T3 and T4 levels usually being low.

Treatment Of Hypothyroidism?

This is a simple replacement of thyroid hormone – thyroxine – in tablet form. Most people will need between 100 and 150 micrograms each day, and young patients are usually able to start on the full dose straight away. In the elderly however, starting with smaller doses is sensible to prevent any heart problems.

What Course Will The Illness Follow?

Most people begin to notice their symptoms fading within a few weeks of starting treatment although some may feel radically improved within a few days. Blood tests will be taken every few weeks while the body is reverting to normal, with the aim being to keep the TSH level at between 0.5 and 5 IU/ml. Once this is achieved, tests can be don every six months to a year.

Can I Do Anything To Help Myself?

If you are taking thyroxine, it is important not to stop taking this because you are feeling better. This treatment is for life.

Tell Your Doctor

1. Do you feel the cold more than you used to?
2. Have you put on any weight?
3. Are you falling asleep in the day?
4. Has your hair become thicker or coarser?
5. Have your bowels been a problem lately?

Ask Your Doctor

1. Am I entitled to free prescriptions?
2. Are there any foods I should not eat?
3. Should I stop taking any herbal or mineral supplements?
4. How long should it be before I am feeling better?
5. How underactive is my thyroid gland?

By Dr Roger Henderson, MB BS Lond., LMSSA Lond.

Free Medical Advice on hypothyroidism is provided by Vivienne Balonwu.

Useful Contact:

1. The American Thyroid Association
Address: Townhouse Office Park, 55 Old Nyack Turnpike – Suite 611, Nanuet, New York 10954
Fax: 914 623-3736
Email: admin [at] thyroid.org
Website URL: http://www.thyroid.org/

Quality Free Medical Advice Online by Vivienne Balonwu. A variety of general health advice and news online.

The thyroid gland is found just below the ‘Adam’s apple’ in the neck and is responsible for producing thyroid hormones. These are vital in regulating the normal metabolism of all the body’s cells, and when the level of these hormones is too high this is known as hyperthyroidism. The two most important thyroid hormones are known as T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine).

What causes Hyperthyroidism?

There are several possible causes, the commonest being a condition called Graves’ disease where there is a generalised overactivity of the whole of the thyroid gland, often causing it to become enlarged – this is called a goitre. Some families appear to be prone to Graves’ disease, and it may also be triggered by stress, smoking, viral infections and radiation to the neck. The thyroid gland can also have lumps or ‘nodules’ within it which may themselves produce too much thyroid hormone. This is called a toxic nodular goitre. There may also be inflammation of all the gland due to viral infections or after pregnancy and this too may trigger hyperthyroidism, although this is usually a temporary condition. Any overtreatment with thyroid hormone medications can also cause hyperthyroidism.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Hyperthyroidism?

Many patients with very mild Hyperthyroidism have no symptoms, and these only become apparent as the condition worsens. The usual symptoms include;

• Palpitations
• Sweating and tremor
• Insomnia and hyperactivity
• Weight loss
• Anxiety
• Diarrhoea

Women may experience irregular and decreased menstrual flow, and there may be hair loss and reduced concentration spans. There is often puffiness around the eyes and a typical stare, due to the upper eyelids being elevated.

Will I have any tests or investigations?

The clinical diagnosis is often suggested from the history and appearance of the patient but blood tests confirm this. The usual findings are that there is an elevated level of T4 in the body and low levels of thyroid stimulating hormone, or TSH. However, in very early levels of the illness these may still both be within the normal range. If inflammation of the gland (thyroiditis) is suspected, a thyroid scan may be taken where radioactive iodine is given to the patient in a harmless dose and an X-ray picture taken of the gland. Any excess activity of the gland shows up where the iodine is concentrated.

What treatment might I need?

Possible treatments include anti-thyroid drugs, radioactive iodine and surgery. Anti-thyroid drugs such as propylthiouracil reduce the activity of the thyroid gland by blocking a step in the normal production of thyroid hormone. It takes several weeks before hormone levels begin to settle, and after one or two years it is sometimes possible to discontinue treatment but relapses may occur.

Side effects include rashes and occasional nausea. Radioactive iodine is given orally, usually once only. It has the effect of directly destroying thyroid tissue and so the patient eventually becomes hypothyroid, requiring long term thyroxine treatment.

This is an irreversible change and it takes between 2 and 3 months for a patient’s thyroid gland to initially become normal after treatment before any hypothyroidism occurs. It cannot be taken during pregnancy or when breast feeding, but is a method of treatment that has been safely used for over half a century now.

Surgery is undertaken less commonly now than it used to be, but its aim remains the same – to surgically remove enough thyroid gland so that a normal amount of thyroid hormone is produced. If too much is removed, hyperthyroidism is caused, and there are also operative risks such as paralysis of the vocal cords and accidental removal of the parathyroid glands which are located behind the thyroid gland and which regulate levels of calcium in the body.

What Course Will The Illness Follow?

As long as it is recognized, hyperthyroidism is easily and completely treatable. If untreated however it can lead to worsening palpitations, heart failure and angina or chest pains. If this is allowed to continue, high blood pressure and increasing heart strain can become life-threatening and this is known as a thyroid crisis or thyroid ‘storm’.

Can I Do Anything To Help Myself?

It is important if you are taking medication for an overactive thyroid gland to always take it regularly and in the prescribed amount. Report any unusual or worsening symptoms to your doctor, and do not smoke – this can sometimes make some of the symptoms associated with Graves’ disease worse.

Tell Your Doctor

1. Do you feel the heat more than you used to?
2. Have you lost weight?
3. Do you have any palpitations?
4. Do you feel anxious for no reason?
5. Have you noticed any swelling around your throat?

Ask Your Doctor

1. Do I have to pay for my thyroid medication?
2. How quickly will I put weight back on?
3. Are there any foods I should avoid eating?
4. Will my eyes return to looking normal again?
5. How long will I need to stay under specialist care?

By Dr Roger Henderson, MB BS Lond., LMSSA Lond.

Quality Free Medical Advice Online by Vivienne Balonwu. A variety of general health advice and news online.

If you suffer from an allergy, you are definitely not alone. In fact, the number of people suffering from allergies such as hayfever, asthma, eczema and food allergies is increasing.

Your immune system protects you against infections by producing antibodies to kill harmful organisms. When you have an allergy, your immune system overreacts to substances that are not harmful to other people. True allergies are reactions to substances called allergens.

Common allergens are pollen, mould, house dust mites, animal hairs, feathers, nickel, rubber and certain foods. Reducing your exposure to allergens can be an effective way of preventing an allergic reaction; however, this is not always possible. There are many treatments available to help reduce the symptoms of allergies, although at the moment there are no cures.

What Are The Most Common Allergens?

The house dust mite, which feeds on flakes of human skin, is one of the most common allergens, and causes symptoms all year round. Every household has house dust mites, no matter how clean and hygienic it is, but house dust mites are only a problem if you are allergic to them. Pollen, mould and animal hairs are other common allergens. You can even become allergic to a substance you have used or eaten for years.

All of these allergens are mostly breathed in. They cause sneezing, running or blocked noses, watery eyes and wheezing in up to 40 per cent of the population. Food allergies are most commonly caused by eggs, cow’s milk, nuts, fish and shellfish (such as prawns).

Food allergies may cause eczema to develop in babies, but older children and young adults often develop a rash (hives). Hives affect one in five people during their lifetime.

Why Are Allergies Increasing?

There have been a number of possible reasons put forward for the rise in allergies. It could be due to an increase in house dust mites because of the way we build and furnish homes. Most homes now have wall-to-wall carpets, and ventilation is reduced to keep warmth in winter and coolness in summer. This results in an even temperature and high humidity – ideal conditions for house dust mites.

Air pollution may be playing a role in increasing asthma, and processed foods containing artificial colour and preservatives could be responsible for an increase in food allergies. Changes in children’s diets mean they are being exposed to a much wider variety of foods earlier on in life than in the past, possibly stimulating their immune system.

How Do You Find Out What Causes Your Allergies?

Keep a record of when and where your symptoms appear. For example:
• Do you sneeze or wheeze when you clean the house or empty the vacuum cleaner bag?
• Do your symptoms occur when you are in a room with a cat (even if you don’t handle the cat)?
• Do your symptoms occur throughout the year, or only in certain seasons, such as spring and early summer?
• Do your symptoms occur at particular times in the day, for example in the morning and evening?

Noticing your own pattern of symptoms is the most useful way of identifying the cause of your allergies. Allergy testing is not routinely done as the results can be confusing, but in certain cases blood tests and skin pricks can be helpful. A positive reaction identifies an allergen but does not necessarily mean that it is responsible for your symptoms at that time.

Using blood test and skin pricks to test for food allergies is difficult and cutting certain foods from your diet and then reintroducing them is the best way to identify the allergen causing the problem. This needs to be done carefully and under the supervision of a dietitian, particularly for children, who may otherwise lose out on essential nutrients.

Allergies Treatment

First you have to work with your GP to identify the allergens responsible for your symptoms and then try to avoid them. You can do this by doing the following:
• Remove carpets and soft furnishings to reduce house dust mites
• Keep your house well ventilated and free from damp
• Buy special mattresses and pillow coverings that are resistant to house dust mites
• Don’t buy pets (such as cats, mice or guinea pigs) if family members are allergic to animal hairs
• Place soft toys and teddy bears in the freezer every 6 months to kill the house dust mites
• Mow your lawn regularly to prevent the grass from flowering
• Avoid visiting rural areas during high pollen seasons
• Don’t allow people to smoke cigarettes in the house.
• Breastfeeding your baby for as long as possible (preferably 4 to 6 months) can help your child build up an immunity to allergens. Try to avoid exposing your baby to pets and dust during this time.
• Avoid sheepskin underlays as they encourage house dust mites.

It is also important to improve your general health. These measures include having a good diet, getting plenty of exercise, getting enough sleep and not smoking.

Antihistamines

If you have an allergy, you may need to take antihistamines. Rashes are also often well controlled by the newer non-drowsy antihistamines. Antihistamines prevent symptoms (like itching, sneezing, watery eyes, runny noses and rashes) that are caused by the body releasing a substance called histamine during an allergic reaction. The newer antihistamines have very few side-effects. Your doctor will help you find one that does not make you drowsy.

If your symptoms cannot be controlled by avoiding allergens or taking antihistamines, your GP may prescribe a steroid nasal spray. These sprays are anti-inflammatory drugs that will help the symptoms of allergies. Because they are applied to the lining of the nose and lungs, the newer steroid drug is hardly absorbed into the blood stream, so the risk of side-effects is reduced. Many different home remedies have been used for treating allergies, but there is no evidence that they are effective.

What is anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock is a sudden, severe reaction to a substance, but it is very rare. The reaction rarely occurs in response to allergens in the air (like pollen) but may be in response to a food, bee sting or a drug. The severe reaction causes swelling of the face and throat, difficulty in breathing and a drop in blood pressure.

You should call for an ambulance unless your GP’s surgery or casualty department is very close. After your first attack you will probably be given an adrenaline injection to carry with you in case it occurs again.

Edited by Dr Carol Blow, MB BS, MRCP, MRCGP, DRCOG.

Free medical advice online published by Vivienne Balonwu.

Quality Free Medical Advice Online by Vivienne Balonwu. A variety of general health advice and news online.