Holy Shit!
Tired? Irritable? Sex drive low? Are you suffering from 21st Century syndrome?
Are you always tired? Often irritable? Do you feel light-headed upon standing, suffer a low sex drive, find it difficult to concentrate, crave salt and have problems with your digestion? And just how many coughs and colds have you had this year?
If this list of random, seemingly unconnected ailments feels familiar, perhaps you are suffering from what the experts are calling the stress disorder of the 21st century, a side-effect of modern-day living. It's called Adrenal Fatigue.
This new syndrome is the umbrella term for a group of non-specific symptoms, and it's become so commonplace it has been recognised by the World Health Organisation.
Affecting significantly more women than men, Adrenal Fatigue occurs because the adrenals - walnut-sized glands that sit just above the kidneys - get overworked. The adrenals are expected to churn out high levels of the hormone cortisol, traditionally during short-term periods of high stress.
Modern lifestyles, however, are relentlessly stressful, meaning the adrenals 'burn out' and tire. In turn, the body's cortisol levels plummet, and we can no longer respond effectively to pressured situations.
According to one support website, sufferers may 'not have any obvious signs of physical illness, yet live with a general sense of unwellness, tiredness or 'grey' feelings. People suffering from adrenal fatigue often have to use coffee, colas and other stimulants to get going in the morning and to prop themselves up during the day.'
When we are children, our cortisol levels fluctuate as we get excited and nervous, but as we get older, some of us live with permanently raised levels.
This wreaks havoc with our bodies and leaves many of us feeling deflated and anxious - and never more so than around the Christmas and New Year period, when we're grappling with all manner of stress-inducing situations, from worrying about that upcoming credit card bill to dealing with in-laws.
The number of sufferers has escalated since the recession tightened its grip - money worries and job anxieties do little to allay stress - and some health professionals now estimate around one-third of us experience Adrenal Fatigue at some level. So how worried should we be?
Well, not too worried, according to Rhian Stephenson, a nutritionist at The Balance Clinic in London's Chelsea, who says: 'Worry will just exacerbate the problem, which itself is caused by chronic stress. Many people in the medical profession argue that there is no such thing as Adrenal Fatigue. But unfortunately for those suffering with it, it definitely does exist.'
Stephenson claims that one in three of her patients suffers from the condition. 'It's incredibly common nowadays, as our residual stress levels have reached new heights.
'It can also come as a result of one particular stressful incident - such as a bereavement, divorce or money worries - or following an acute or prolonged infection such as influenza, bronchitis or pneumonia.
'Many of my patients have chronic levels of stress, but insomnia causes much of this, which is a catch-22 situation because sleep is exactly what sufferers of Adrenal Fatigue need more of.'
Chances are that some, if not all of the list of Adrenal Fatigue symptoms blight not only you, but most other women you know. Who doesn't experience problems waking up in the mornings?
And what working woman or mother doesn't rely on caffeine to see her through the day?
Georgina Joseph, a 32-year-old solicitor from Birmingham, is one example. 'For some months now, I have been feeling increasingly tired,' she says. 'I began to notice it after my husband and I had a particularly stressful experience moving house. I started going to bed at 9.45pm, even though I don't have to get up until 8am. But despite sleeping soundly, I still wake up feeling tired and I'm increasingly reliant on coffees to see me through the day.
'My GP has run tests and says there's nothing out of the ordinary. But I don't have children, I don't have a large home, and my husband does much of the cooking. Yes, my job is stressful, but surely that shouldn't make me this tired?'
The increasing prevalence of the syndrome presents one of the most interesting medical paradigms of our time. First coined by Canadian alternative medicine specialist Dr James Wilson in 1998, the term Adrenal Fatigue is beginning to be recognised by mainstream health organisations.
Dr Wilson co-founded the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. A scientist as well as a doctor, he has written books on the condition, runs a support website for sufferers, and also claims to have helped thousands of people suffering from the illness regain their health and vitality.
In the UK, the Department of Health states that while 'Adrenal Fatigue' is not a term used in endocrinology (the study of hormone-related conditions), they are 'aware of the existence of the term and are watching developments in the field'.
The problem is that this condition is difficult to diagnose. Adrenal function is measured on a sliding scale, a bit like thyroid function. It's only if a test shows you to have levels in the highest or lowest 2 per cent that you'll be deemed 'abnormal'.
So if your cortisol levels are in the lowest 5 per cent and you are suffering significant symptoms, it still wouldn't be deemed a medical issue.
It's not all doom and gloom, though. Stephenson says it's relatively simple to alleviate the symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue. First and foremost, she recommends a saliva test to eliminate any other illnesses.
A good diet is key: eat a lot of wholegrains, oily fish and fruit, supplemented by magnesium, B5 and vitamins C and B12.
Exercise regularly and make time to alleviate worries - perhaps by booking a regular massage or spending more time watching TV. And if you need an excuse, remember: it's doctors' orders.
These are the tell-tale signs of Adrenal Fatigue, according to Dr James Wilson.
Are you always tired? Often irritable? Do you feel light-headed upon standing, suffer a low sex drive, find it difficult to concentrate, crave salt and have problems with your digestion? And just how many coughs and colds have you had this year?
If this list of random, seemingly unconnected ailments feels familiar, perhaps you are suffering from what the experts are calling the stress disorder of the 21st century, a side-effect of modern-day living. It's called Adrenal Fatigue.
This new syndrome is the umbrella term for a group of non-specific symptoms, and it's become so commonplace it has been recognised by the World Health Organisation.
Affecting significantly more women than men, Adrenal Fatigue occurs because the adrenals - walnut-sized glands that sit just above the kidneys - get overworked. The adrenals are expected to churn out high levels of the hormone cortisol, traditionally during short-term periods of high stress.
Modern lifestyles, however, are relentlessly stressful, meaning the adrenals 'burn out' and tire. In turn, the body's cortisol levels plummet, and we can no longer respond effectively to pressured situations.
According to one support website, sufferers may 'not have any obvious signs of physical illness, yet live with a general sense of unwellness, tiredness or 'grey' feelings. People suffering from adrenal fatigue often have to use coffee, colas and other stimulants to get going in the morning and to prop themselves up during the day.'
When we are children, our cortisol levels fluctuate as we get excited and nervous, but as we get older, some of us live with permanently raised levels.
This wreaks havoc with our bodies and leaves many of us feeling deflated and anxious - and never more so than around the Christmas and New Year period, when we're grappling with all manner of stress-inducing situations, from worrying about that upcoming credit card bill to dealing with in-laws.
The number of sufferers has escalated since the recession tightened its grip - money worries and job anxieties do little to allay stress - and some health professionals now estimate around one-third of us experience Adrenal Fatigue at some level. So how worried should we be?
Well, not too worried, according to Rhian Stephenson, a nutritionist at The Balance Clinic in London's Chelsea, who says: 'Worry will just exacerbate the problem, which itself is caused by chronic stress. Many people in the medical profession argue that there is no such thing as Adrenal Fatigue. But unfortunately for those suffering with it, it definitely does exist.'
Stephenson claims that one in three of her patients suffers from the condition. 'It's incredibly common nowadays, as our residual stress levels have reached new heights.
'It can also come as a result of one particular stressful incident - such as a bereavement, divorce or money worries - or following an acute or prolonged infection such as influenza, bronchitis or pneumonia.
'Many of my patients have chronic levels of stress, but insomnia causes much of this, which is a catch-22 situation because sleep is exactly what sufferers of Adrenal Fatigue need more of.'
Chances are that some, if not all of the list of Adrenal Fatigue symptoms blight not only you, but most other women you know. Who doesn't experience problems waking up in the mornings?
And what working woman or mother doesn't rely on caffeine to see her through the day?
Georgina Joseph, a 32-year-old solicitor from Birmingham, is one example. 'For some months now, I have been feeling increasingly tired,' she says. 'I began to notice it after my husband and I had a particularly stressful experience moving house. I started going to bed at 9.45pm, even though I don't have to get up until 8am. But despite sleeping soundly, I still wake up feeling tired and I'm increasingly reliant on coffees to see me through the day.
'My GP has run tests and says there's nothing out of the ordinary. But I don't have children, I don't have a large home, and my husband does much of the cooking. Yes, my job is stressful, but surely that shouldn't make me this tired?'
The increasing prevalence of the syndrome presents one of the most interesting medical paradigms of our time. First coined by Canadian alternative medicine specialist Dr James Wilson in 1998, the term Adrenal Fatigue is beginning to be recognised by mainstream health organisations.
Dr Wilson co-founded the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. A scientist as well as a doctor, he has written books on the condition, runs a support website for sufferers, and also claims to have helped thousands of people suffering from the illness regain their health and vitality.
In the UK, the Department of Health states that while 'Adrenal Fatigue' is not a term used in endocrinology (the study of hormone-related conditions), they are 'aware of the existence of the term and are watching developments in the field'.
The problem is that this condition is difficult to diagnose. Adrenal function is measured on a sliding scale, a bit like thyroid function. It's only if a test shows you to have levels in the highest or lowest 2 per cent that you'll be deemed 'abnormal'.
So if your cortisol levels are in the lowest 5 per cent and you are suffering significant symptoms, it still wouldn't be deemed a medical issue.
It's not all doom and gloom, though. Stephenson says it's relatively simple to alleviate the symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue. First and foremost, she recommends a saliva test to eliminate any other illnesses.
A good diet is key: eat a lot of wholegrains, oily fish and fruit, supplemented by magnesium, B5 and vitamins C and B12.
Exercise regularly and make time to alleviate worries - perhaps by booking a regular massage or spending more time watching TV. And if you need an excuse, remember: it's doctors' orders.
These are the tell-tale signs of Adrenal Fatigue, according to Dr James Wilson.
- Tired for no reason?
- Having trouble getting up in the morning?
- Need coffee, colas, salty or sweet snacks to keep going?
- Feeling run down and stressed?
- Crave salty or sweet snacks?
- Struggling to keep up with life's daily demands?
- Can't bounce back from stress or illness?
- Not having fun any more?
- Decreased sex drive?
- Poor food choices (white flour, low fibre, sugar, few vegetables or fruit, lack of raw food, etc).
- Using sweet or salty food and sweetened or caffeinated drinks as stimulants when tired.
- Staying up late even though tired.
- Feeling or acting powerless.
- Constantly driving yourself.
- Trying to be perfect.
- Staying in no-win situations.
- Doing too few enjoyable and rejuvenating activities.