Adrenal Fatigue Ayurvedic Treatment

Adrenal fatigue is a term used for a group of non-specific symptoms like body ache, fatigue, digestive and sleep issues etc. Usually, it affects those people (especially women) who are suffering from chronic mental or physical stress. The actual cause of this condition cannot be identified easily and hence treatment is based on the symptoms.

Adrenal glands manage stress by producing cortisol (stress hormone). Increased stress causes over-production of cortisol leading to adrenal imbalance and adrenal fatigue. Stress is meant to be a temporary situation, which is handled by body’s ‘fight or flight response’. If the stress continues for an unexpectedly long period, body fails to withstand it leading to several symptoms starting from lethargy. This is called ‘psycho-somatic disorder’- where mental distress is manifested in body as dis-eases. Abnormal production of cortisol affects the production of other hormones including thyroid, sex hormones (estrogen, testosterone and progesterone) and it interferes with normal sexual life. Adrenal fatigue in women is of 3 types- ‘wired’, ‘tired and wired’ and ‘tired’.

Adrenal Fatigue Signs and Symptoms

The general symptoms are general fatigue, sleep disorders, food cravings (to coffee/ tea/ sweets), nervousness, digestive problems, joint pain, darkened area below eyes, problems with concentration etc.

In wired adrenal fatigue- the woman may feel busy as if she has to do a lot of works, reluctant to sleep, anxiety, hurry to complete the works, panic attacks, rush of thoughts, difficulty to focus, fluid retention, PMS, angry, reduced sexual desire, depression, night food cravings, increased abdominal fat, high blood pressure etc. Women with ‘tired’ adrenal fatigue often feel exhausted, persistent tiredness even after sleeping, energetic despite fatigue, cravings for salty/sweet food/ coffee, allergy, feeling tired even by small challenges, loss of libido, depression etc. Those having ‘wired and tired’ adrenal fatigue may have difficulty to fall asleep at night and wake up in the morning, feeling exhausted throughout the day, weight gain, disturbed sleep, low blood pressure, thin hair, craving for sweet and salty food, anger, sadness, loss of libido etc.

Adrenal Fatigue Ayurvedic Analysis

Pitta dushti (vitiation of pitta), rasa kshaya (deranged formation of Rasadhatu/ chyle), agnimandya (reduced power of digestion/transforming energy) and ojakshaya (reduced vitality) are the condition that causes fatigue, abnormal production of hormones/ enzymes, sleeplessness, anger, poor concentration, PMS, loss of libido, hair loss, variation in blood pressure etc.

Adrenal Fatigue Causative Factors (Ayurveda)

Excess sadness, anger, stress, thoughts etc causes pittadushti, rasakshaya, agnimandya and ojakshaya. Due to over-mental stress, satwa (mental strength) is reduced; and rajas (aggressive factors) as well as tamas (moody factors) are increased.

Possible Complications of Adrenal Fatigue Disease

Common complications are thyroid dysfunction, chronic depression, poor quality of life etc.

Other systemic diseases and precautions to be taken

Fibromyalgia, adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, depression etc can cause similar symptoms.

Adrenal Fatigue Disease Management with Ayurveda Treatment

Symptomatic management can be provided to regain the balance of satwa, rajas and tamas; remove agnimandya, rasakshaya, pittadushti and ojakshaya. Satwavajaya chikilsa (psychotherapy) is very beneficial in this condition to tackle the underlying mental distress and thereby reduce the symptoms. Along with these, yoga, meditation and pranayama should be done to improve mental power.

Diet

Reduce the consumption of salty, sour and spicy food, very hot or cold food, incompatible food, meat, curd etc. include more vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains in diet.

Exercise

Regular exercise is recommended to improve mental power as well as immunity.

Adrenal Fatigue Preventive Aspects in Ayurveda

Eat healthy nutritious diet. Exercise regularly. Avoid stress, anxiety, depression. Practice yoga, mindfulness, mediation and pranayama. Follow a regular sleep-wake pattern. Take dinner at least one hour before bed time. Apply suitable oil over head before bath. Limit the consumption of alcohol, coffee, tea etc. quit smoking.

Importance of Diet

Mental status is determined by the food we eat and hence select the right diet to balance satwa, rajas and tamas; and balances tridosha as per the guidelines of physician.

Lifestyle

Exercise regularly. Stay positive. Increase social interactions. Follow healthy diet plan. Drink more water, quit smoking and limit the intake of alcohol/ tea/ coffee/ salt/ sugar. Take dinner around 8pm and go to bed around 9pm. Consume a glass of warm milk with sugar at bed time. Avoid using mobile phone/ laptop/ computer at least one hour before going to bed. Practice yoga, meditation and pranayama.