Overview
Adrenal fatigue is a term used to describe symptoms of insomnia, salt, fatigue, and sugar cravings that occur when a person undergoes chronic stress. Scientists believe that when a person undergoes chronic stress, it affects the adrenal glands, so that they “burn out” and fail to produce adequate amounts of vital hormones, such as cortisol. Although some scientists do not accept that adrenal fatigue is a “real” disease, these symptoms are real to people who experience them.
In most cases, adrenal fatigue may seem like a welcome label for frustrating symptoms. However, accepting the condition without further investigation may lead to a misdiagnosis that may have similar characteristics, like sleep apnea, an autoimmune condition, or primary adrenal insufficiency, recognized conditions that can be fatal if it is not detected early.