CrossFit South Bend

What is Adrenal Fatigue?-CFSB Wellness Wednesday

In this week’s video we answer the question “What is Adrenal Fatigue?”

First, we discuss how the term “Adrenal Fatigue” is a colloquial term for a phenomenon that should be referred to as Hypothalamus, Pituitary, Adrenal Dysfunction (or HPA Axis Dysfunction).

Second, we discuss the three main stages of adrenal fatigue and why none of them are recognized by western medicine even though they are perfectly real.

Lastly, we briefly discuss how you can get tested (with a practitioner) to find out if you have adrenal fatigue.

One important point to bear in mind that comes from a doctor who I respect tremendously, Dr. Bryan Walsh, is the following. It’s a lazy diagnosis if a practitioner just says “Oh, you have adrenal fatigue, here take some hormones to fix that.” The difference between a good practitioner and a lazy practitioner is that the good practitioner will ask “Why does this person have adrenal fatigue?” Inevitably there’s some deeper reason why the adrenals are not functioning properly like immune issues, digestive issues, etc.

As we’ve talked about with every other issue we’ve discussed whether it’s blood sugar issues, digestive issues, or hypothyroidism. It’s not enough to know that things are going wrong. You need a practitioner who can help you figure out WHY things are going wrong. It’s the same thing with HPA Axis dysfunction, which is more commonly known as adrenal fatigue.