HPA Axis Dysfunction/Adrenal Fatigue

We live in a world where we are chronically bombarded by  stress.  Stress, in the short term,  can play an important role in our lives.  It can allow us to survive danger, excel at competition, or triumph over tasks or assignments that seem impossible. On the other hand, when we are chronically exposed to stress it can cause detrimental effects on your physical, mental and emotional health. 

Long term stress can negatively affect the HPA axis (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal), which  forms a pathway connecting the brain and adrenal gland.  It helps regulate how your body responds to stress. Chronic exposure to stress has a negative impact on the  nervous system’s ability to regulate and control stress hormones such as cortisol, insulin etc.  Stress has many sources, some unavoidable, others can be managed. Chronic stress can originate from sources you can control, such as inadequate nutrition, lack of exercise, poor sleep, hormonal imbalances, digestive issues, depression/anxiety, etc.  Failure to address this attack on the HPA increases your risk of developing heart disease, cancer, auto-immune disease, migraines, poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, etc.