What are the Symptoms of Adrenal Insufficiency?

Your adrenal glands are located just above your kidneys and harbor hormones that are required for meeting the needs of your body. The two hormones that are created by the adrenal glands are cortisol and aldosterone. Each one has its own important use. Cortisol for example, helps the body respond to any type of stress. This can be any type of stress ranging from an injury while playing a sport to the stress of your workplace. One of the biggest functions that it is responsible for is the proper function of your immune system. Aldosterone on the other hand regulates how much salt, potassium, and water are in your body. If you’re wondering how you can detect adrenal insufficiency there are numerous signs and symptoms.

While doing everyday tasks you may notice that you feel unusual weakness in your muscles. You may also feel unusual fatigue or tiredness even though you’re well rested. If you get dizzy while standing or you feel sick and vomit or have diarrhea then you may have adrenal insufficiency. Symptoms of adrenal fatigue or the later more advanced stage of adrenal fatigue, adrenal insufficiency, may include brain fog which is a frequent disorientation, or a decrease in short term memory. If you’ve felt some of these symptoms for a while then you may be getting to the later stages of adrenal insufficiency where you will start to notice significant weight loss. You may also notice your skin becomes a dark tan and that you start to crave salt more often. All of these are various signs and symptoms that you may have adrenal insufficiency.

Men and women of all ages can get adrenal insufficiency. The disorder may be only temporary for some people while others will have it permanently. The disorder can be treated with certain medications however in some extreme situations it may be required that the pituitary gland or the adrenal glands get surgically removed from the body altogether.