ADRENAL HEALTH & STRESS SUPPORT

Acute and chronic stress has a predominant effect on our mental health, physical health, and our risk for disease. The adrenal glands produce a variety of hormones to combat this stress and when our demand outweighs their ability to produce such hormones (most notably is cortisol), dysfunction can occur. 

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis refers to the system hormones (endocrine system) that regulate many bodily functions including adrenal, thyroid, and gonad function. Therefore, when HPA axis dysfunction occurs, many regions of the body can be affected and subsequently many non-specific symptoms can be experienced.

There are 3 forms of HPA-dysfunction: 

  1. Alarm Phase (Hyper-cortisol) – Typically this presents with elevated cortisol and mildly decreased DHEA which can increase your heart rate, blood pressure, and cause a “fight or flight” response. 
  2. Resistance Phase (Cortisol-dominant) – Typically this presents with elevated cortisol and decreased DHEA and can result in anxiety, insomnia, weight gain, brain fog, insulin resistance, frequent infections, and premature aging. 
  3. Exhaustion Phase (Hypo-cortisol) – Eventually the adrenal glands cannot keep up with demand for cortisol, and a drop in cortisol occurs. This results in impaired digestion, weakened immune function, fatigue, dizziness, insomnia, and depression.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

  1. Fatigue 
  2. Body aches
  3. Unexplained weight loss or gain
  4. Low or high blood pressure 
  5. Lightheadedness 
  6. Constipation or diarrhea
  7. Chronic pain 
  8. Compromised immune system  / frequent colds 
  9. Headaches 
  10. Muscular tension 
  11. Teeth grinding
  12. Infertility
  13. Auto-immunity
  14. Insomnia 
  15. Brain fog
  16. Mood swings 
  17. Other
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DIAGNOSTICS

Typically, HPA-Axis dysfunction requires a 4 point cortisol test which will assess your cortisol levels over the day. This will give insight into how you adapt to stress and which stage of HPA-Axis dysfunction you are experiencing. Alongside other blood work, the stage of HPA-Axis dysfunction you are experiencing can be determined and an appropriate treatment plan can be formulated.

OUR APPROACH

At Radiant Health & Wellness our Naturopathic Doctors will assess which stage of HPA-Axis dysfunction you are experiencing so that a targeted treatment plan can be made. This often includes (but is not limited to) a physical exam, blood work, urine analysis, and food sensitivity testing. 

Our typical approach to HPA-Axis dysfunction will include diet and lifestyle modification, oral supplements and herbal therapies, and intravenous nutrients to improve adrenal function and restore balance to the endocrine system – treating you at the root cause.