Adrenal Burnout Syndrome (also called Adrenal Fatigue, Adrenal Exhaustion, or Burnout) increases the likelihood of more frequent or severe viral infections, such as colds, flu, COVID-19, and Herpes Simplex Virus. Why? Burnout is a significant breakdown of the body's energy system. Without energy, your defenses are down.

The adrenal glands sit on top of your kidneys and help to regulate your immune system, metabolism, and blood pressure. They control the output of certain hormones in response to stress, such as adrenaline and cortisol. 

Cortisol is your body's primary stress hormone, which assists in regulating blood sugar, reducing inflammation, forming memories, and more. However, excess cortisol can weaken the immune system and cause unwanted symptoms, such as the following.

• Muscle aches, pain, and wasting
• Anxiety and Depression
• Headaches
• Heart disease
• Nerve problems
• Digestive issues
• High blood pressure 
• Sugar Disease
• Frequent infections, including colds and flu and slow healing, due to a weakened immune system

Allergic responses usually have an underlying adrenal component. Cortisol regulates inflammation in the body. Histamine is released in the body by mast cells in response to allergies, which causes inflammation. The more histamine is released, the harder the adrenal glands work to push out more cortisol to negate the effects of histamine and calm inflammation. The adrenals become exhausted, eventually producing less cortisol and allowing histamine to run rampant, causing even more inflammation. 

If you suspect you are experiencing an adrenal problem, you can have your hormones tested. Even without medical insurance, you can have your stress hormones tested. I've provided a list of private online labs here. 

Symptoms of Adrenal Burnout Syndrome

• Fatigue
• Bone, joint, or muscle loss, weakness, or pain
• Decreased sex drive
• Depression, apathy
• Sleep disturbances (difficulty falling or staying asleep)
• Nervousness, anxiety, and irritability
• Low hormone levels (including DHEA)
• Hot flashes
• PMS
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Elevated copper levels (causing mood swings, panic attacks, Bipolar Disorder, and Schizophrenia)
• Low levels of certain minerals, such as magnesium
• Autoimmune disorders
• Allergies (due to histamine imbalance)
• Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS)
• Skin problems, including thin skin
• Slowed healing
• Insulin resistance and weight gain (stomach and upper back)
• Blood pressure problems
• Low body temperature
• Tinnitus and Hyperacusis
• Metabolic Acidosis
• Thyroid problems
• Bruising easily
• Brain fog, inability to concentrate, poor memory
• Frequent viral infections
• Bladder pain
• In extreme cases, adrenal burnout can lead to Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Cushing's and Addison's, heart disease, and Cancer. 

Possible Causes of Adrenal Burnout Syndrome

• A disrupted circadian rhythm (the natural wake/sleep cycle)
• Sudden dramatic events or chronic stress
• A highly sensitive nervous system
• Too much sugar or salt in the diet
• Severe calorie restriction (increases cortisol levels)
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Not getting enough REM sleep (dream sleep)
• Job, relationship, or health pressures
• Disconnection to a higher power or lack of purpose
• Toxic environment, chemicals, and pollution
• Preservatives
• Electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs)
• Overstimulation
• Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Spiritual/Psychological Causes of Adrenal Burnout Syndrome: Thought imbalance. Self-defeating or crushing messages that you believe. Feeling overpowered. You've been treading deep water for too long, are exhausted, and not loving yourself enough.

Associated Chakra: The 5th Chakra/The Blue Aura Color Personality

Associated Temperament: Phlegmatic

Associated Energy Meridian: Triple Heater Meridian (thyroid and adrenals)

Holistic Alternatives for Adrenal Burnout Syndrome

Manage Emotional Baggage

One of the number one reasons for burnout is stress from unresolved emotional issues or bad habits that create feelings of rage, anger, bitterness, resentment, hatred, guilt, shame, or fear. Negative emotions can leave you irritable and feeling like you barely have enough energy to get through the day. Adrenal Burnout is a significant breakdown of the energy system of the body. 

We all have emotional baggage. It can be helpful to take a personal, physical, and environmental inventory. Write, journal, or communicate with a friend, family member, counselor or a priest. If you are artistic, consider a journal of sketches rather than writing. Expressing your feelings this way may be easier than putting words to emotions. You don't have to be the next John William Waterhouse. Doodling or fingerpainting will suffice.

Take time to relax, meditate, pray, or do nothing but sit quietly for at least 10 minutes each day. Better yet, sit and do absolutely nothing for 30 minutes (as long as you aren't disturbed in any way).

Reduce Your Physical & Environmental Toxic Load

Are you receiving too high a level of EMFs from microwaves, cell phones, computers, or electrical outlets in your home? Are there any overhead wires, cell phone towers, transformers, or other high-voltage areas in your neighborhood? High levels of electromagnetic frequencies cause your adrenal glands to release cortisone and adrenaline, leading to Adrenal Burnout Syndrome. Turn off and unplug appliances when not in use. If you're renting a dwelling in a high-voltage area, consider moving.

Is there anything toxic in your environment, such as mold, new furniture made from pressed wood, or plastics? What about the cleaning or hygiene products you use? Chances are, if you can't pronounce or don't know what the ingredients are on your product labels they aren't good for you. Also, see Creating Healthy Spaces. 

Improve Your Sleep

Poor sleep triggers the release of cortisol, which triggers histamine, which triggers allergy symptoms. It also triggers herpes breakouts. Why? Because histamine causes inflammation. One way to sleep better and reduce cortisol is to perform physical work. Physically working at a task is better for reducing cortisol than exercising. 

Also, to sleep better at night, breathe correctly during the daytime. You might be surprised at how often you're not breathing deeply enough as you go about your day, which causes cortisol to elevate.

Don't keep late hours. Some folks tend to be night owls, even when having day jobs. Nighttime can be soothing when you're over-stimulated during the day but the adrenal glands are taxed by keeping late hours. When you keep late hours, your circadian rhythm is disrupted. By nature, you're meant to stay awake during daylight hours and sleep in the night when it's dark. Your hormones are balanced and your tissues are repaired in the dark while you sleep. A disrupted circadian rhythm is the number one cause for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. 

If you wake up refreshed, it is doubtful you have adrenal burnout. Your body repairs itself at night during deep sleep. Repair doesn't happen regularly enough when you suffer from Adrenal Burnout Syndrome or a sleep disorder. For example, Sleep Apnea can cause adrenal burnout due to a lack of oxygen while sleeping.

Be Around People Who Make You Feel Good About You

Are you in a challenging relationship and suffering from low self-esteem? Nothing is worse for your energy than draining relationships and poor self-image or esteem. They usually go hand in hand, buddies until the end. Make the decision that you deserve to be in a good relationship with yourself and others. You need love, even if you think you don't. If there aren't any positive people in your life, make it a point to join a group or class, volunteer where you can feel appreciated, or visit places where people are usually positive and friendly. Walk among them at the mall, library, or park. Develop your positive support network, even if, at first, you are not directly involved one-on-one with others.

Nutrition & Supplement Suggestions for Adrenal Burnout Syndrome

Are you placing toxins in your body through mediocre food and beverage choices? It's essential to reduce your consumption of refined carbohydrates while increasing fresh, whole foods. Eliminate stimulants or cut back on beverages containing stimulants (coffee or tea) to only 2 cups daily. Eliminate alcohol or cut back to only one 4-6 ounces of red wine daily. Alcohol causes widespread inflammation. Drink pure water daily. Fast intermittently  is also helpful.

Eat a healthy version of the Keto diet can be helpful in reversing burnout because high carbohydrate diets keep you in "flight or fight " mode.

Adrenal Burnout Syndrome quickly depletes vitamins A, E, C, D-3, B-complex (B-1 counters cortisol), D-3, magnesium, manganese, potassium, and zinc. Eating foods containing these vitamins and and taking a high-potency multivitamin can be helpful.

Ashwagandha, eleuthero, licorice, and low-dose DHEA are also beneficial. Check with your doctor before using these herbs.

Additonally, taking an omega-3 fish or krill oil supplement (600 mg daily) or flaxseed (up to 2 tablespoons of ground seeds daily) can be helpful in supplying healthy fats your body needs for adrenal support.

Drop Addictions

Stress, in all its forms, including addictions, contributes to Adrenal Burnout Syndrome, which can be a serious health condition. It would be best to work on lifestyle changes involving behaviors, thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs, including eliminating addictions. Try to deal with whatever you are addicted to, whether alcohol, narcotics, nicotine, caffeine, gambling, shopping, pornography, staying in front of a screen, sex, or whatever else gets your adrenal glands pumping.

What To Expect Down the Road

Reversing light to moderate burnout usually takes three to six months to see results from the above suggestions. Extreme adrenal fatigue may take longer but don't ever give up. Stay focused on the good years you will have ahead of you.