Holistic Medicine Series HANDOUT #6 - Holistic Adrenal Health & Support
Holistic Medicine Series HANDOUT Thursday - April 30, 2009
*** Session #6 ***
Holistic Adrenal Health & Support Aumdoc (Richard J. Clofine, D.O.) 770-633-4257
aumdoc@aumdoc.com WWW.AUMDOC.COM
Vitality 1) the capacity to live and develop; 2) Energy or vigor; 3) That which distinguishes living from nonliving things
Passion 1) Any great, powerful emotion, especially love or hate; 2) fervor, determination 3) An object of passionate love or strong interest
Intro to Adrenal Glands
What affects Vitality?
Modern Living & Repeated Stressors
Finances & livelihood; family & other relationships; pollution; food & water issues; driving & commuting; world news
Lifestyle Balance & Habits
Work & relaxation; sleep & exercise; hunger & eating; smoking; alcohol; caffeine; drugs
External Circumstances (too stuck or too much change):
Births & deaths; moving; job change; relationship change
Internal Circumstances:
Emotional & Spiritual stress; trauma; isolation; fear; negative attitudes & belief; feelings of powerlessness; anxiety
Health Issues
Aging; Allergies; wound healing; prescription drugs; toxic lifestyle; infection or disease
Stress ...the unconscious response to a demand.
We experience some degree of stress in everything we do and everything that happens to us.
Eustress & Distress
Adrenal response to stress: Alarm > Resistance > Exhaustion
Adrenal Medical Conditions: Addison’s Disease (adrenal failure) Cushing’s Disease (adrenal excess)
Adrenal Anatomy and Physiology
Adrenal Medulla (center): faster neuro-endocrine control for rapid response
Hormones are adrenaline (epinephrine) & noradrenaline (norepinephron)
Function is respond to ‘fight or flight’ situations0
Adrenal Cortex (outer part): slower hormonal control with delicate balance mechanisms
Zona Reticularis- DHEA, pregnenelone, progesterone, estrogens, testosterone; androstenedione
(antioxidant, tissue repair, sex hormones, cortisol balancer, anti-aging)
Zona Fasciculata- Cortisol
Protects cells from stress (blood sugar regulation; anti-inflammatory action; immune response modification; heart & blood vessel toning; central nervous system stimulation; stress reduction normalization)
Zona Glomerulosa- Aldosterone
(regulation of sodium, potassium and fluid volume)
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis: Circadian cortisol rhythm
Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue (Loss of Vitality)
Lethargy (lack of energy); difficulty arising in morning; fatigue not relieved by sleep; increased effort to do everyday tasks; decreased sex drive; salt cravings; light headed when standing quickly; mild depression; loss of motivation & enjoyment; increased PMS; slow and fuzzy cognition; less tolerant;
Testing for Adrenal Fatigue
Physical Tests for Adrenal Fatigue: Iris contraction test, Postural Hypotension, Sergent’s White Line
Saliva Tests for Adrenal Fatigue: “Adrenal Stress Profile”
Blood Tests for Adrenal Fatigue: testosterone, DHEA-S, pregnenelone, TSH, freeT3, freeT4,
Complete blood count (CBC), metabolic chemistry panel
(many other tests are available)
Recovery from Adrenal Fatigue: What drags you down? What lightens your load?
Regularity & Routine!!
Identify Vitality Leaks & Energy Drains: Find it first >>> Leave It or Change It or Reframe It
Reframing reFRAMing ReFrAmInG rEfRaMiNg ReframinG REframiNG (Seeing it differently)
Lifestyle Active Pursuit of Relaxation & Passion Vacation & Unstructured Time Playtime Sleep Inner Work Relationships
Diet food choices eating patterns & style allergies salt
Supplements
Vitamin C with bioflavanoids; B-complex; magnesium (“Be Calm”), Calcium with Vitamin D3; trace minerals, and many others depending on the issues.
www.adrenalfatigue.org
Herbs
Adaptogens:
Ashwagandha Root and Leaf (Withania somnifera); Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea), Siberian Ginseng Root (Eleutherococus senticosus); Ginger Root (Zingiber officinale), Holy Basil (Ocinum sanctum), Maca (Lepidium meyenii), Cordyceps mushroom (C. Sinensis), Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum), Agaricus mushroom (A. glazei)
Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) Ginkgo Leaf (Ginkgo biloba)
Adrenal Extract
Hormone Replacement: Cortisol; DHEA; Progesterone; Pregnenelone; thyroid
Laughter, Sex & Physical Activity
Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome
By James L. Wilson, N.D., D.C., Ph.D.
www.adrenalfatigue.org
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