Homeopathic Restore10/6/13
[Note from Kari J. Kindem, CFHom]: I have treated many successful cases of adrenal fatigue in both women and men, with several remedies not listed in this article. There are many factors involved in selecting a constitutional remedy for someone with adrenal fatigue. An excellent book for understanding much more about Adrenal Fatigue is by Dr. James Wilson called “Adrenal Fatigue: 21st Century Stress Syndrome”.
A Guest Post by Dr. Neha Vijayakar (The Author)
Stress and Cortisol
STRESS
Stress (or distress) comes stealthily in our life and creates great havoc in our body and mind. For some, stress means combating everyday traffic to get to work, for others it signifies getting the kids ready in time for school. The worst part is that we accept stress so easily and nurture it so carefully that it takes days, weeks and many times, years to realize that this seemingly “temporary” condition has been responsible for the biggest health issues in our lives.
EFFECT OF STRESS ON ADRENAL GLANDS
Because Stress is so mean (and also extremely smart), it directly attacks that part of your system which monitors the harmony of our physiology- the Neuro-Endocrine Axis. To explain simply, your Hypothalamus and all the Endocrine Glands are at the mercy of its unforgiving ways [5].
To set the ball rolling, Stress makes its presence felt first in the two tiny, deceptively less-important glands called the Adrenals. The adrenal glands sit at the top of the kidneys. In Chinese medicine, adrenal glands and kidneys are considered as one unit. Problem with one affects the other. Adrenal glands are “stress supervisors“. They release anti-stress hormone like Cortisol and other hormones. Cortisol suppresses the release of the body’s “feel good” hormone Serotonin, amplifying the anxiety and sometimes, also augmenting depression, as well as Melatonin, the hormone related to sleep. Adrenal glands are responsible for the “fright, fight & flight” response of our bodies. It is these glands which feel the maximum punch of nervous tension.
ADRENAL FATIGUE:
Adrenal fatigue is a collection of symptoms such as body ache, fatigue (not relieved by any means, not even by sleep), nervousness, sleeplessness and digestive problems. It is so because adrenal glands become underactive i.e. functions performed by adrenal glands are below the necessary level. It can be due to intense or prolong (chronic) stress or infection.
STAGES OF ADRENAL FATIGUE I: ALARM
Response
- The adrenals get alerted about stressors and, in an initial bid, step up the secretion of Cortisol.
- Insulin-secreting cells of Pancreas also get affected resulting in fluctuations in blood sugar levels.
- THE BODY IS SUCCESSFUL IN COMPENSATING FOR THE INCREASED REQUIREMENT OF GLUCOSE
- Craving for foods high in carbs and fats like burgers, pizza, donuts and aerated drinks having high sugar content.
- Insomnia and irritability sets in.
II: RESISTANCE
Response
- If Stressors persist, the Adrenals begin to feel the strain of working overtime. This time, it is extremely difficult to compensate for the demand of cortisol.
- The thyroid glands start misbehaving.
Reaction
<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>Insomnia, difficulty in falling asleep and irritability set in rapidly intensifying stress.
<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>Digestion is hampered.
<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>Stamina takes a beating and sluggishness and weight gain begin to seep in.
<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>Women suffer from menstrual irregularities and PMS.
<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>Men suffer from mood swings.
III: EXHAUSTION (ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY)
Response
- The Adrenals now start giving up as they bow further down to pressure. Cortisol levels start declining.
- The body, in a desperate bid for energy, starts breaking down its own muscles for protein.
- The aim is now to survive using the body’s rapidly depleting resources.
- Blood pressure begins to fluctuate, digestion slows down and sexual drive diminishes.
It is no wonder that Homeopathy works, with uncanny instinct, to restore this miserably imbalanced state of affairs. Because, what is needed here is cleaning right from the basic level and eradication of the problem from its core (origin).
It is fascinating to note that Adrenal Exhaustion relates the exact textbook picture of one particular homeopathic remedy called NUX VOMICA. Nux Vomica meticulously covers not only the insomnia, digestive disturbances and irritability of the condition, but also accounts for the inordinate craving for stimulants and piquant foods.
It is a matter of clinical deduction that Nux Vomica works to combat Stress and restore the optimum functioning of the Adrenals, and in turn the entire chain of Endocrine glands.
Remedies for adrenal fatigue includes Argenticum nitricum, Arsenicum Album, Gelsemium, Phosphorous, etc.
However, a word of caution. This does not mean that Nux Vomica or any other homeopathic medicine should be taken on a routine basis by anyone manifesting the symptoms of Adrenal Exhaustion/Fatigue. Homeopathy is a highly individualistic discipline of Medicine, with each individual calling for a different remedy based on a holistic constitutional make-up and calls for the skilled professional services of a qualified homeopathic physician for complete cure.
Other than that, one needs to get involved in yoga and meditation to get relieved of stress.
References:1. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. 15th Edition.
2. Oxford Textbook of Medicine
3. Introduction to Psychology
4. Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica. William Boericke
5. Response to stress by adrenal hormones
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