Adrenal fatigue

This article is about a dubious medical condition in alternative medicine. For medically-recognized chronic adrenal insufficiency, see Addison's disease.
Adrenal fatigue
Alternative medicine
Adrenal gland in relation to the kidney
Claims Exhaustion of adrenal glands leads to reduced cortisol production and symptoms like fatigue

Adrenal fatigue or hypoadrenia are terms used in alternative medicine to describe the unscientific belief that the adrenal glands are exhausted and unable to produce adequate quantities of hormones, primarily the glucocorticoid cortisol, due to chronic stress or infections. Adrenal fatigue should not be confused with recognized forms of adrenal dysfunction such as adrenal insufficiency or Addison's Disease.[1][2][3]

The term "adrenal fatigue", which was coined in 1998 by James Wilson, a chiropractor,[4] may be applied to a collection of mostly nonspecific symptoms.[1] There is no scientific evidence supporting the concept of adrenal fatigue and it is not recognized as a diagnosis by the medical community.[3]

Blood or salivary testing is sometimes offered but there is no evidence that adrenal fatigue exists or can be tested.[1] The concept of adrenal fatigue has given rise to an industry of dietary supplements marketed to treat this condition. These supplements are largely unregulated in the U.S., are ineffective, and in some cases may be dangerous.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Myth vs. Fact: Adrenal Fatigue". The Hormone Foundation. August 2010. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Is there such a thing as adrenal fatigue?". MayoClinic.com. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Adrenal Fatigue: Is It Real?". WebMD. Metcalf, Eric. Retrieved 2014-03-19.
  4. ↑ Gavura, Scott (October 28, 2010). "Fatigued by a Fake Disease". Science Based Medicine. Retrieved March 12, 2015.

External links

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