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| Stressed
and tired If the stressor continues, the adrenal gland begins to fail leading to chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression, insomnia, poor bowel function, abnormal insulin and glucose function, abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride metabolism, diminished sex hormone and thyroid functioning, and a decline in mental functioning. Patients with adrenal dysfunction are also more likely to develop 
cancer, autoimmune diseases, and i nfections. Patients experiencing
adrenal fatigue are often misdiagnosed with depression , because
of their symptoms of fatigue, inability to handle stress, mood
swings, obsessive worrying, insomnia, weight or appetite change,
decreased libido, and decline in mental functioning. Without appropriate
testing, these patients are prescribed anti-depressants and sleep
aids to relieve their symptoms. However, these medications don’t
address the underlying problem; therefore, the patient must rely
on medications to function. Correcting adrenal dysfunction eliminates
these symptoms, thereby eliminating the need for symptom relief
prescription drugs and their potential adverse side effects
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Saliva
testing and stress The best way to test for the effects of stress is through saliva testing. NASA and the US Air Force use saliva testing to test for adrenal fatigue in fighter pilots and astronauts. The test requires that you produce saliva samples four times over the course of a day. 
The results of the saliva tests allow the physical effect of stress to be measured. Adrenal dysfunction can then be corrected by using nutritional supplements designed to assist the adrenal gland in recovery from the effects of stress. Your health care provider can discuss the options available. If the adrenal gland function is severely decreased, as in the illustration below, you may need a prescription for bioidentical cortisol while you are taking the adrenal supplements. Bio-identical hormones are made by a compounding pharmacist, so you may also speak with your compounding pharmacist regarding treatment options.  |
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