Adrenal Fatigue: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Adrenal fatigue is a general term used in alternative medicine to describe a group of symptoms that people often link to ongoing stress. These symptoms can include body aches, trouble concentrating, cravings for very salty foods, or persistent tiredness even after a full night’s sleep.

However, adrenal fatigue is not considered a real medical diagnosis in conventional medicine. It is not recognized as a disease or medical condition, so there is no formal test or diagnosis for “adrenal fatigue.”

Because these symptoms are nonspecific and may occur with a variety of health conditions, it’s best to see your primary care provider or an endocrinologist for an evaluation. If a medical cause is found, treatment should be tailored to the specific condition diagnosed.

Main symptoms

The main symptoms of adrenal fatigue are:

• Excessive tiredness;

• Pain throughout the body;

• Unexplained weight loss;

• Low blood pressure;

• Cravings for salty foods;

• Frequent dizziness;

• Recurring infections, such as colds or the flu.

It’s also common to notice a surge of energy later in the day, which can peak in the early evening and may lead to insomnia.

Confirming a diagnosis

Because “adrenal fatigue” isn’t a medically recognized condition, a clinician won’t diagnose it as a disease. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, an endocrinologist may order tests to check for underlying medical causes.

For example, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), blood tests that measure hormone levels, including cortisol and ACTH, are used to help diagnose adrenal insufficiency and related conditions.

Some health conditions that can cause similar symptoms include adrenal insufficiency (a rare condition), Addison’s disease, adrenal hemorrhage, tuberculosis, or hemochromatosis.

Possible causes

Many naturopaths believe that adrenal fatigue develops when the adrenal glands (located on top of the kidneys) can no longer produce enough cortisol. In this view, lower cortisol would make it harder for the body to handle stress and avoid its effects.

However, it’s important to emphasize that adrenal fatigue is not recognized in medicine, and there is no evidence that it is a real disease. For that reason, there is no formal diagnosis of adrenal fatigue and no specific treatment.

Treatment options

Because adrenal fatigue is not a recognized medical condition, there is no specific treatment for it, and corticosteroids are not recommended for this use.

In alternative medicine, guidance may focus on building healthier daily routines and following a balanced diet.

Certain lifestyle habits may help ease symptoms, such as:

• Taking part in enjoyable activities, such as gardening, yoga, exercise classes, or dancing;

• Reducing sources of physical, emotional, or psychological stress;

• Sleeping 7 to 9 hours per night (adults should get at least 7 hours of sleep per day, according to the CDC);

• Avoiding foods high in sugar, such as cake, soda, or candy;

• Avoiding high-fat foods, such as fried foods, processed meats, or full-fat cheeses;

• Reducing alcohol intake, especially later in the day.

Some naturopaths may also recommend supplements containing extracts from medicinal plants to support relaxation and reduce stress levels.