Chronic Stress & the Three Stages of Adrenal Fatigue
Stress is a natural and healthy reaction to everyday life problems. Cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, is healthy and necessary when released at appropriate times. Stress factors such as mental/emotional stress, sleep cycle disturbances, blood sugar imbalances, and inflammation trigger the release of cortisol. In appropriate doses, this is a healthy response, but when these factors compound for prolonged periods of time, cortisol is released too frequently and causes physical, mental and emotional symptoms. Without a proper balance between cortisol and DHEA (the hormone that balances cortisol), cortisol becomes a burden on the body. Overtime, this can result in adrenal fatigue. Chronic stress release of cortisol takes its toll on the body in three stages of adrenal fatigue: Hyper, Dominant, or Hypo. Stage 1: Hyper-Cortisol The first stage of adrenal fatigue is characterized as being in constant alarm. At any point in the day, a person will feel stressed and wired, … Continued