Cortisol, the Fight or Flight Hormone

Cortisol is a hormone produced in the adrenal glands that provides the body with an appropriate way to deal with stressful situations (i.e. infection, dehydration, etc.). During prehistoric times, cortisol was especially useful during life or death situations not usually seen today, such as being attacked by a wild animal.  In modern times, however, modern stress is mostly chronic and low-grade. It comes from family issues, work, finances, inflammation, chronic disease, and anything that the body deems as stressful.

The problem is that cortisol does not differentiate the intensity or urgency of stressors. Whether the stressor is a real acute emergency, such as a car accident, or a perceived one, such as worrying about what someone thinks of you, the body’s response is the same. Because modern stress affects the body daily, the stress reaction can become chronic. Unfortunately, the body does a poor job of managing chronic stress. Over time, chronic stress can have a negative affect on adrenal gland function and lead to hormonal imbalance.

What is Adrenal Fatigue?

Most patients with a cortisol imbalance fit into one of three adrenal dysfunction categories as described below:
Stage 1 Adrenal Fatigue
The Alarm Reaction  
  • A severe stressful period causes the fight-or-flight response 
  • Cortisol levels rise to cope with the situation
  • If the stress continues, the brain and adrenals will make more cortisol by stealing from other hormone stores
  • Metabolic and immune consequences are also seen with chronically elevated cortisol levels
Stage 2 Adrenal Fatigue
Resistance Stage  
  • The brain and adrenals work overtime together to remain on constant alert
  • Gradually the adrenals can’t keep up with the constant demand
  • If the stress passes, the body can start to rebuild its’ defenses and store energy
  • If the stress is prolonged, the body will transition to the next adrenal dysfunction stage 
  • How long it takes to become exhausted is dependant upon genes, diet, exercise, sleep, and stress-management skills
Stage 3 Adrenal Fatigue
Exhaustion Stage  
  • After years of stress, cortisol storage is now depleted and the adrenals are officially burned out
  • The body is constantly fatigued, simple tasks are difficult to complete, and hormones are either low or imbalanced 
  • Many chronic disease states may have developed along the way.

Take the Adrenal Fatigue Test!
Do you have? 

o       Depression or anxiety
o       Insomnia
o       Memory loss or trouble learning
o       Mood swings/Irritability
o       Headaches
o       Weight gain or central obesity
o       Difficulty losing weight
o       Lowered ability to activate thyroid hormones
o       Inflammatory bowel and digestive problems
o       Diabetes and insulin resistance
o       Sodium and water retention
o       Heart disease and increased cholesterol
o       Osteoporosis/Osteopenia
o       Chronic fatigue
o       Fibromyalgia (achy joints and muscles)
o       Arthritis
o       Chronic inflammation
o       Muscle wasting
o       Infections and decreased immunity
o       Excessive bruising and poor wound healing
o       Severe PMS and infrequent periods 
o       Severe menopause symptoms
o       Impotence and decreased sex drive
o       Infertility  
o       Excess facial and body hair
o       Thin skin and stretch marks
o       Weakened ligaments/cartilage
o       Immune dysfunction
o       Heavy metal toxicity
o       Poor antioxidant control
o       Constipation or diarrhea under stress
o       Cravings for salty, fatty, sugary foods or caffeine
o       Decreased ability to handle stress
o       Allergies
o       Lightheadedness when rising
o       Asthma
o       Swollen ankles

The more checks you have, the more likely you are developing adrenal fatigue. If you checked more than half of the boxes listed above, then you probably have late stage adrenal fatigue. Attending the Serenity, Vitality, and Metabolism Workshop or Restore Wellness Workshop is the first step in taking action against adrenal fatigue.

Adrenal Fatigue is Reversible!
Let Dr. Amy Help

Wouldn’t it be best if someone like Dr. Amy could take you and your group aside and explain what adrenal fatigue is, why your body is always tired, and develop a healthy lifestyle plan to address the cause? The Restore Wellness Workshop helps men and women who are chronically fatigued. See the Workshops page for more information or book Dr. Amy for the Serenity, Vitality, and Metabolism Workshop or Restore Wellness Workshop now by completing the form.

Stimulate your group to become more productive and healthier

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Dr. Amy Lee Hawkins, author and hormone specialist delivers her crucial and timely message with passion, liveliness, and with that transforms the way her audiences view health and hormones. She is the critically-acclaimed author of What You Must Know About Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, which she ties into her wellness workshops giving more effective results over other wellness workshops.

As a compounding pharmacist, motivational wellness speaker, writer, and consultant, she has shared her health and hormone balance secrets with thousands of workshop participants, healthcare professionals, and organizations across the country. She created her Workshops as an effective solution to the epidemic of unhealthy lifestyles and hormone imbalances.