There are two glands – called the ADRENAL glands. Located on top of your kidneys,

The adrenal glands are involved in a number of functions in the body. They are involved in pulmonary function, blood sugar metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, central nervous system processes, cardiovascular function, hormone production, gastrointestinal function, and liver function.

The adrenal glands play an important role in helping the body respond appropriately to changes caused by stress and the different emotions involved in survival. If you were being chased by a lion, you would have high blood pressure, relaxed lungs to absorb oxygen for your flight.  Your mind would need to be super alert, your digestion and sex organs would turn off so your muscles would receive most of the blood. 

How do they work?
The adrenal glands produce hormones in a complex symphony that is orchestrated by two structures in the brain called the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland.

The adrenal glands via these hormones control many functions from anti-inflammatory (ridding the body of pain and swelling) and immune system protection to balancing fluid and salt levels and controlling minerals (such as potassium), rapid heart rate, regulating blood pressure, and sleep and awake cycles.  They even act as the back up organs producing estrogen during and after menopause. 

When there is stress, these glands counter the stress by the production of several hormones. The adrenals don't know the difference between physical and mental stress, they treat both with the same stress hormones. 

Every type of stress influences these glands - injury, infection, divorce, finances, job-related stress, irritable people, drugs and medications, surgery, pain, illness, poison ivy, extreme cold or heat, giving birth, menstrual cycle, staring at computer monitors, eating junk foods, starvation diets, etc. etc. etc. Emotional stress of loss can actually is 1000X more than other forms of stress. When stress and poor nutrition lead to altered hormone levels, imbalance in endocrine function can lead to substantial fatigue.

What can I do if I think I have Adrenal Fatigue?
-- Identify stressors and implement stress management techniques. You may wish to seek the support of someone who specialises in stress management
-- Establish appropriate work/life balance to avoid work taking over most of your time – Try scheduling time for each area of your life; work, family, leisure etc
-- Practice daily relaxation or meditation techniques
-- Support your body with optimum nutrition (and supplements when necessary)
-- Eat meals at regular times each day
-- Maintain a balanced exercise regime – choose an activity which you enjoy doing
-- Establish regular sleep patterns and get sufficient hours of sleep each night
-- MAKE TIME to have fun, laugh and be joyous

Here are some nutrients which can help support healthy adrenal function. Talk to your Healthcare Practitioner to work out which would be most beneficial for you.
-- Vitamin B complex
-- Vitamin C
-- Magnesium
-- Adaptogenic herbs. These are herbs that can enhance your body’s resistance to stressors. Examples include: Ginseng, Withania, Rhodiola, Licorice, Schisandra, Gotu Kola and Rhemania