Stress and the Adrenal System

From the desk of Dr. Sean Patterson

Americans are way too stressed.

After earning my Doctorate, I spent 6 months traveling the world. I observing cultures, people and their health.

What I realized is that we do things different here. We work more, don’t get as much sleep, and are much heavier than the rest of the world.

I also noticed that foods in many other cultures had less toxic ingredients and was less refined.

The point of my observations is simple: our culture is stressed. 

We rely heavily on our “fight stress” systems. That system is the Adrenal system. It is what controls our “fight or flight” response.

For example, if you was camping and a bear wandered up to your tent, you would need instant energy to run or fight. Your body would release adrenaline (epinephrine). This substance gives us instant energy. Now that is a great example of something that should really stress our bodies out. We then could react and recover.

Now, here is an example of how most of my patient’s experience stress:

Mary is 50 years old and has been going through “hormonal changes”. Her doctor tells her she is heading into menopause, and that her symptoms are “normal”. Mary is complaining that she cannot get a good night sleep, is having hot flashes, and has been steadily gaining weight (especially around her waist). She is very frustrated that she has tried different diets and exercise programs, and now her knees and neck are always hurting. It seems like the harder she works, the more stressed out she feels.

Mary is a typical patient for me.  She is educated, motivated and frustrated with information and advice that just seems wrong.  She has been “tested” using conventional lab work and has even been offered hormone replacement therapy as an alternative to the symptoms.

My goal is to help women like Mary know that not only is there a reason why her body is responding to stress in a different way than it used to.

Most of the problems lie in a stressed Adrenal system. We call this Adrenal Fatigue.

There are some useful ways of understanding if you are experiencing stress on this system. Here are a few of the red flags that you may have a ‘Stressed’ Adrenal System:

	Dizziness or Lightheadedness if you stand up to quickly
	Cravings for salt and chocolate
	Insomnia
	Hot Flashes
	Irritability
	Fluid retention and Swollen Ankles
	Joint Pain
	Belly Fat, the kind that hangs over the waist and is saggy

One of the best ways to evaluate the Adrenal Hormones is by using Saliva Testing for Hormone Help

To consult with Dr. Patterson and get real answers to your problems, 
Call Today and speak with one of his helpful staff at 916-933-0974.