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Lynn L. West, PhDc, BCETS, LCPC
Chronic Stress and Adrenal Fatigue
Lynn L. West & Associates, LLC

Chronic Stress and Adrenal Fatigue

To survive, organisms maintain equilibrium with their environment. When good health goes bad and chronic stress is the cause, the system that regulates the body's response to stress including the Hypothalamic-Pituitary Adrenal (HPA) Axis, is affected. Both physical and emotional adaptation of the organism requires both the ability to respond to the stress and to be able to control the stress response appropriately at the neurobiological level.

When the biophysiological functions have been compromised, development of specific psychological and/or behavioral symptoms indicate the body's system regulating homeostasis is malfunctioning, secondary to the over-triggering of the excitatory “fight or flight” response to real or perceived threat. These symptoms reflect the underlying biochemical changes and imbalances in adaptive functioning at the cellular and biophysiological levels as a result of stress.

Assessing individual biomarkers of the hormones and neurotransmitters of the neuro-endocrine-immune systems will identify specific hormonal and neurotransmitter imbalances and impairments associated with the Central Nervous System, endocrine system, immune system, and the neuronal pathways of the HPA Axis.

Treatment is directed at restoring balance and optimal range functioning on the impaired neuronal pathways in stress response system. This includes a treatment plan including assessment of specific hormones and neurotransmitters, recommendations for nutritional balance and necessary lifestyle changes, pharmacological intervention. Neutriceutical intervention and psychotherapy. Coordination with your primary care physician is always included.

Whether or not someone feels “stress”, per se, persistent stress has a biological impact on the body that can ultimately lead to the depletion of adrenal stores of the major catecholomines produced in the adrenal glands, namely epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine and cortisol, a glucocorticoid.

The resulting clinical symptoms of “hypoadrenia” range between mild-to severe and affect many areas of the body. They include problems such as hyperfunctioning or hypofunctioning of hormones and neurotransmitter systems impacting energy (low daytime or inconsistent flow of energy, fatigue, sleep dysregulation), gastrointestinal problems (acid reflux, autonomic instability, irritable bowel, explosive diarrhea, constipation, appetite difficulties (increased cravings or lack of appetite, allergic reactions to food, indigestion), cognition (attention, focus, motivation, memory, foggy thinking, mental fatigue), cardiovascular (headaches, tight chest, rapid heart beats), mood (feelings of sadness or anxiousness, tremors), behavioral negativity, explosiveness, tantrums, and anger tirades as well as many other symptoms.

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