Ailments & Conditions

What Is Adrenal Fatigue?

The Theory behind Adrenal Fatigue

The term adrenal fatigue was coined by a chiropractor in 1998. It refers to the response of the adrenal glands to chronic stress. Over the last decades, this is a controversial topic that has been the subject of many debates. Some scientists suggest the theory that severe or chronic stress may wear down the adrenal glands over time. As a result, these organs release fewer cortisol, a hormone that helps control blood pressure.

Although adrenal insufficiency is a known disease, the theory asserts that adrenal fatigue is actually a milder type of the disease that cannot be diagnosed with normal lab tests. Some individuals tend to be at higher risk, such as shift workers, single parents, those with unhappy marriage, those with stressful jobs, those with chemical dependency problems, and those who are under a lot of stress at work or study. [3]