Fighting Burn-out: Natural Help For Stress, Fatigue and Adrenal InsufficiencyWritten by Dr. Rita Louise
The adrenal or “stress glands” are small, triangular shaped glands located on top of kidneys. Their function is to prepare body’s resources to run or fight through releasing of specific hormones. When this primitive, instinctive response is activated, blood is diverted from digestive system while our blood pressure, pulse, blood sugar levels increase. At same time, our pupils dilate and speed of reflexes increases. All of this happens as a way to ensure our survival. In modern times, we don’t’ have to worry about becoming dinner for a hungry tiger or being trampled by a herd of buffalo. Our bodies, however, automatically respond same way when we are under physical, emotional or mental stress. Many of us live in a state of constant stress that strains our bodies to point of exhaustion. Over time, and through repetition, this can impact way adrenal glands function, causing us to experience adrenal insufficiency or “burn-out”. If you think about it, our adrenal glands can be likened to batteries in a flashlight. They are filled with a charge that is used to run body and give us that extra edge in times of need. Each time we use our flashlight, we drain some of charge from our batteries. Fortunately for us, our batteries are automatically recharged when we eat healthy and get lots of rest. If, on other hand, we use our flashlight all of time, and don’t recharge our batteries regularly, it is only a matter of time before light starts to dim and eventually goes out all together. Technically speaking, adrenal insufficiency refers to inability of adrenal glands to produce proper quantity of hormones needed to run body. It should not to be confused with Addison’s disease, which is when adrenal glands fail to produce hormones or shutdown completely. The most common symptom of adrenal insufficiency is fatigue. Other symptoms include: not feeling rested after sleep, inability to deal with life stressors, poor memory, a low sex drive, frequent infections due to a suppressed immune system, inability to concentrate, depression, mood swings, irritability, weight gain, weakness and hormonal imbalances. There are a number of reasons why people experience adrenal insufficiency. It can be from a genetic or congenital abnormality, but most common one is stress. Some of us force our bodies to run or fight all time. Life challenges, financial pressures, relationship issues and unresolved emotional concerns will eventually deplete your adrenal glands. Internal stressors such as allergies, physical disease, nutritional deficiencies, food and environmental toxins can also put pressure on body’s natural reserves. In addition, stimulants, such as sugar, white flower, caffeine, as well as constant exposure to loud music, loud noise or EM radiation can take a toll on our adrenal glands.
| | Can you fight the common cold with a natural remedy?Written by Kevin Sheldon
Colds appear superficially similar to 'flu, but are generally less severe. Common in colder seasons, respiratory passage inflammation, irritation of nose and throat, runny eyes, and of course fevers, chills and muscle aches are typical symptoms of common cold. In extreme cases, a bad cold may even cause sinusitis or congestion of chest, which can be particularly distressing for very young and very old. The differences between a cold and flu are fairly easy to spot - flu usually causes a headache, fever, heavy fatigue and general aches - these are rare in true colds. On other hand, a cold usually involves a runny nose and a sore throat - both rare in flu. Whatever you do, symptoms will last between 7 and 14 days (including an incubation period of between 1 and 3 days). Men tend to say they have flu, rather than a 'cold', because it sounds so much more serious! Common colds, however, are far more 'common' if you will excuse pun.The common cold is caused by a fast mutating virus, which tends to strike when one's immune system is depressed. Extreme coldness, tiredness, stress brought on by overwork, or overindulgence - all of these can 'bring on' a cold. The symptoms of common cold are actually your body attempting to kill virus and re-establish normal conditions - a raised body temperature kills virus eventually. Unfortunately, fast mutation characteristics of common cold make it impossible to produce a vaccine, leaving only natural remedies in arsenal of anti-cold techniques. At first signs of a cold (sore throat, runny nose) go to bed - don't wait for virus to 'kick in'. Remember that first line of attack against cold virus will be plenty of fluids, and especially vitamin C drinks, such as hot lemon. In fact, you can take large amounts of vitamin C in many forms - tablets, drinks etc. Garlic will also help - both of these are good germ fighters. Other vitamins that will help include vitamin A, B6, vitamin E, and vitamin F. It is also reported that a little extra zinc can help shorten duration of colds.
|