< previous page page_28 next page >

Page 28
known with a long list of seemingly unrelated symptoms, such as chronic back or headache pain, sugar cravings, feeling overly emotional, mental confusion, digestive problems and decreased resistance to disease, such as frequent colds and flus; however, the most common symptom is getting tired far too easily. It has been shown that even mild adrenal deficiency can cause a person to lose deep REM sleep and to develop low blood sugar, weakness and headaches. 6
Regular doses of adrenaline to the brain disrupt brain chemistry, specifically serotonin, which is responsible for promoting sleep, lowering sensitivity to pain, transmitting nerve impulses and even hindering aggression and depression. When serotonin levels drop, the result is insomnia, pain and depression. Prolonged stress also increases the hormone prolactin, which can also lead to pain and headaches. In a never-ending cycle, these brain chemical imbalances make a person even more prone to stress.
Eventually, he or she becomes sluggish as enjoyment seems to literally drain out of life. People with adrenal exhaustion may even experience memory lapses or mentally blank out. The body seems to shut down in an effort to say, "enough is enough ... stop ... it's time to rest and recharge." Adrenal exhaustion and CFS are two separate disorders, but adrenal fatigue seems to be part of CFS. Although there are a few differences (adrenal exhaustion results in weight loss while CFS typically causes weight gain), they share many symptoms.
Stress can also lead to heart disease, ulcers and increased allergies. It is possible to develop anemia or a blood pressure dip, causing even greater fatigue. One stress-related illness that often ensues is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A large percentage of people

 
< previous page page_28 next page >

If you like this book, buy it!