Are you suffering from Adrenal Fatigue?

You may notice from time to time that no matter what you do to stay healthy your body just will not respond correctly. Sometimes, there is more going on then meets the eye. It could be possible that your prolong periods of fatigue is coming from a common illness know as adrenal fatigue.

The adrenal glands are located at the top of each kidney. There are two parts: the medulla, which secretes the neurotransmitters norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine, and the cortex, which secrets glucocorticoids (cortisol), mineralcorticoids and androgens (sex hormones). Combined, these are referred to as adrenocorticoids. Exposure to prolonged stress leads to adrenal stress and adrenal insufficiency. The adrenals cannot produce enough adrenocortical hormones, and the entire body is affected. Loss of adrenal function can cause death.

When a real or perceived stress is experienced, a complex whole-body response is initiated in the brain and supported by the adrenal glands. Stressors can be physical, such as illness or trauma, or psychological and emotional.

The neurotransmitter epinephrine is released during a stress response. Epinephrine works on the sympathetic nervous system, which controls heart rate, breathing rate and blood pressure. Epinephrine also causes vasoconstriction, or narrowing of blood vessels, to help increase blood flow to vital organs and muscles. It causes the pupils to dilate to imporve vision. All of these responses help you when you have to fight or flee a danger.

Adrenal stress arises when, after prolonged exposure to stress, the body becomes adapted to the abnormally high levels of stress hormones and can no longer regulate cortisol production. The adrenal glands continue high output of these stress hormones. This causes a multitude of health problems similar to those found in Cushing's syndrome, a rare disease that affects the adrenal glands. High blood pressure, sleep problems, diabetes, depression, fatigue, truncal obesity and osteoporosis are the consequences of continuously elevated cortisol levels.

Natural Treatmen For Adrenal Fatigue

The last thing you may feel like doing when suffering from adrenal fatigue is exercising. However, exercising can give you an energy boost--try activities you'll enjoy, such as yoga, swimming or hiking.

Eat for long-lasting energy. Eat regular meals with lean proteins sources and complex carbonhydrates, as well as plenty of vegetables and fruit; refrain from eating junk food. Your overall nutrition is important for supporting the function of your adrenal glands.

You can supplement your diet with vitamins, especially B complex vitamins and Vitamin C. According to many experts, other supplements that may be useful for treating adrenal fatigue include astragalus, Siberian ginseng, cordyceps (a fungus), golden root and licorice root.

Drinking Tea To Manage Daily Stress

Often times we think of drinking tea to sleep better at night or relaxing during stressful times. The more popular teas like chamomile tea is the industry standard during stressful times and you can usually find this tea in several stores throughout the country. The popularity of drinking tea is becoming more common because of the recent research linked to the unhealthy habit of drinking coffee, which is leading  more people to drinking tea as a daily alternative. Many people have yet to discovered all of the healing benefits to drinking tea as a daily ritual rather you are under stressful situations or not. Popular activities known for stress relief such as meditation, yoga, and exercise are great to include in your stress relief regimen. We now know that adding tea drinking to your daily list of regimens is also a great benefit to combat stress. Managing your first signs of stress is important to long term success. You may notice there are different types of stress you can experience within your lifetime i.e. eustress, neustress, distress, and acute stress some of it is good stress that you cannot avoid and some is considered bad stress that can cause chronic illness over time. Below is a list to consider when purchasing tea as an alternative to stress relief.

Black Tea-Reduces cortisol levels which can keep stress at bay

Valerian Tea-Natures natural soothing agent which is the best tea for relief from tension

Kava Kava-The best tea to reduce anxiety and stress

Green Tea-Powerful antioxidant green tea packs but is also known to be very effective in reducing stress due to the L-Theanine found in green tea which is a natural stress reliever.

Stress is organized into several categories and measured based on their individual effectiveness on the person. The idea that you can eliminate stress is basically unrealistic but to learn how to manage stress just by exercising alternative remedies could be the answer. Drinking tea during times of high stress is the answer to your body responding in a natural way. Tea can actually speed up the recovery of daily stress and is often known to reduce stress hormones levels back to normal.  Further research is still being conducted to understand the link between drinking tea and actually healing your body and mind. At least it’s great to know you are only a cup away from getting relief. You may also take a closer look at the benefits to drinking tea as a stress reliever http://www.stress-relief-resources.com/herbal-stress-relief.html.

Pampering4life Healthy Living Corner: Canteloupe Delight

1.4 Cantaloupe
1 small Banana
1/2-1 cup Soy Milk, Vanilla Flavor

Cut one medium rip banana and an equal amount of ripe cantaloupe into chunks. Add a good tasting soy milk and blend all together. This delight is simple and nutritious to enjoy year round.

Cantaloupes are high in vitamin C alpha and beta-carotene potasssium, and for a fruit, it contains good amounts of trace minerals copper, zinc, and iron. Cantaloupes are considered one of the most nutritious fruit we have.

Pampering4life Health Tips: Thyroid Treatment

Proper thyroid function is essential in controlling your body's metabolism--the conversion of oxygen and calories into energy. If you suffer from hypothyroidism--a condition in which your body produces too little thyroid hormone, you may experience a variety of symptoms, including weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, depression or irritability. Too much thyroid hormone, or hyperthyroidism, can cause weight loss and an increased risk of osteoporosis, due to calcium loss in your bones. The presence of a thyroid disorder is easy to detect with a simple blood test, and treatment usually involves medication.

• If you have been diagnoses with hypothyroidism, your doctor will most likely prescribe levothyroxine--a thyroid hormone pill--to be taken once a day. Because certain types of foods can interfere with the absorption of levothyroxine, you should take your pill in the morning, at least 20 minutes before breakfast, if possible. This will allow for the maximum absorption of your medication into your blood. You will have to take the medication indefinitely, as there is no "cure" for the condition of hypothyroidism--only supplementary treatment. After a month or two of taking the medication, your doctor will order more blood tests to measure the levels of thyroid in your system. At that time, he may adjust your dosage based on the results of your blood work.

Hyperthyroidism Treatment

• Hyperthyroidism can be treated with oral beta blockers, including propanolol or Inderal. Taking these medications can reduce or eliminate some of the symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism, including tremors and palpitations, but they will not cure the condition or reduce the amount of thyroid hormone in the blood. If you have sustained hyperthyroidism, your doctor may prescribe medication to inhibit your body's production of the thyroid hormone. These medications include methimazole and propylthiouracil, and they can have side effects which include itching or a rash. Other, more serious side effects are rare and include liver inflammation or a white blood cell deficiency. If you notice a yellowing of your skin, sore throat or high fever while you are taking these medications, call your doctor immediately. He will want to perform blood tests to rule out the possibility of these side effects.
• Another treatment for hyperthyroidism involves administering radioactive iodine which is absorbed by the thyroid, killing the excess cells. This treatment generally takes between one and two months to work, and the medication is administered orally in a hospital setting during a series of visits. Because other cells of the body do not absorb iodine, the treatment is considered safe, and all radioactivity disperses from the body within a matter of two to three days after treatment. In the case that the medication destroys too much thyroid gland, the patient may be put on hypothyroidism medication indefinitely following the treatment.
  One final option for treating hyperthyroidism is surgical removal of all or part of the thyroid gland. This option may be suggested for patients unable to tolerate other forms of hyperthyroid treatments. Risks of surgical removal of the thyroid gland include damage to the voice box nerves or removing too much thyroid, in which case the patient would have to be put on levothyroxine for life.

Alternative Remedies for Hypothyroidism

• While it is common medical practice to keep a patient suffering from thyroid dysfunction on thyroid hormone medication for the rest of her life, holistic practicioners may be able to wean a patient off of thyroid medication over time by prescribing a special diet, supplements and stress therapy. Because iodine is necessary in the production of thyroid hormones, kelp, dulse and bladderwrack may be used to boost a patient's natural iodine levels. The amino acid L-tyrosine, about 500 mgs a day, can also help to increase thyroid hormone in the system. Patients with hypothyroidism should avoid soy-based products, which can block the absorption of thyroid hormone.

Alternative Remedies for Hyperthyroidism

• If you have an overactive thyroid gland, you may benefit from several holistic remedies, including acupuncture, massage and homeopathy to calm an over-stimulated thyroid gland and balance your overall body chemistry. Herbal remedies include bugleweed, motherwort and lemon balm. Eating a well-balanced, healthy diet, getting at least half an hour of exercise every day and practicing meditation or yoga may also help to reduce your thyroid's output of hormone. Speak to your physician or alternative medical practitioner about how you may benefit from holistic remedies.