Stressed To The Max?

Do you feel like you need a new set of internal batteries most days? Are you missing key details? Are you checking in and out of conversations and lacking focus? You are probably going too fast and you're going to CRASH! That is... if you haven't already.

A well oiled machine can only run so long and then it needs to be serviced, relubricated, and put back into performance mode. I hate having to take the time for oil changes on my car, but it's necessary to keep it performing at it's peak and to keep the engine from seizing up all together. It's the same with us!! Our lives, unfortunately, do not always allow designated down times, and our bodies suffer the consequences when we don't pay attention to our internal "check engine light". The end result is that our bodies crash and then we are forced to make changes.

Often people first make a connection with me to determine if there is hormonal imbalance going on, but I also share that poor stress management plays in significantly in the "hormone world" and symptoms can look similar at times. I like to review an individual's hormone imbalances and also the adrenal glands as reasons for poor engine performance. (so to speak):)

Adrenal Fatigue is running rampant in our society and it's due to the fast paced lifestyles we lead. The physical manifestations of stress can be very interesting to say the least. From headaches, to missed menstrual cycles, to crying spells, to lashing out at people, to missing work, and on and on the list goes.

Here's some of the things that PROLONGED stress can cause:

Tendency to gain weight and unable to lose it, especially around the waist.
High frequency of getting illness or flu.
Tendency to tremble when under pressure
Reduced sex drive
Lightheaded when rising from a laying down position
Unable to remember things
Lack of energy in the mornings and also in the afternoon often between 2-5pm.
Feeling better suddenly for a brief period after a meal.
Cravings for salty, fatty, and high protein food.
Increase in symptoms of PMS for women
Feeling better when stress is relieved, such as on vacation or on days "off" without deadlines
Mild depression
Dry and thin skin
Lack of focus and difficulty staying in conversations without your mind wandering
Nervousness
Palpitations
Unexplained hair loss
Upset stomach
Skin rashes
Headaches
Rapid aging
Feeling worn out and wired at the same time.

When we talk "hormones" often the focus in on the ovaries (for women) or the testes (for men). The problem with just focusing on the ovaries or testes is that the adrenal glands contribute significantly to hormone and energy production. So what's the big deal with that? Well, in short, if the adrenals are exhausted so will be the person. This type of prolonged stress and fatigue will affect almost EVERY area of life if allowed to run off course. (sleep, infertility, work performance, rapid aging, memory, blood glucose, osteoporosis, weight, etc. etc.). It won't matter how many energy drinks, sugar snacks, or laps around the neighborhood one does, the fatigue will most assuredly return along with ten pounds of extra weight in the mid-section over time.

So how do you know where you stand with stress?

The best way to measure your level of free key adrenal hormones is through a saliva testing panel. Saliva is a preferred method by many trained professionals currently because it measures the amount of free and "usable" hormones circulating through the body. Plus, they can be done affordably and privately from your own home and without a costly office visit to the doctor.

Truly getting to the root cause of the troublesome symptom is best. If the problem is that you can't sleep, perhaps it's not a progesterone deficiency, but an elevated cortisol instead. In the case of the former, one would supplement with progesterone. In the case of the latter, adaptogens and nutraceuticals can be started in a persons daily vitamin regimen to combat the excessive cortisol release. Another example might be the woman who feels as if she is on the verge of crying all the time. Considering her age, menstrual cycle status, and lifestyle behaviors, testing might completely be in order. From there her clinician could develop a treatment plan to restore key female hormones while addressing the stress hormones as well. She might just be running on empty and the restoration of natural hormones could change things for her completely.

So after reading this, if you feel stressed to the MAX and you're noticing some suspicious symptoms, please MAKE THE TIME to test your hormone, adrenal, and cortisol levels. Find someone who understands the entire bio-feedback system of the body so that all areas of health and stress can be managed at the same time. A highly trained medical provider in anti-aging, regenerative, hormone therapy, and functional medicine is a good place to start. Stress is not best. Get tested! Get treated!

To your good health,
Dr. Sonja O'Bryan