Penticton Aro Clinic Q: Is it possible that stress is making me sick? I'm always exhausted and just don't feel well! A: The adrenal glands are two little thumb-sized "shock absorbers,"that sit on top of your kidneys. They are responsible for producing and distributing the stress hormones that help you respond to the conditions of your daily life in healthy and flexible ways. When exposed to stress, our "fight or flight" nervous system signals the adrenal glands to produce cortisol, one of the body's main stress hormones. If cortisol levels become too high for too long undesirable effects may begin to occur You know you've pushed your adrenals too much when you experience symptoms such as fluid retention, spiking blood sugar levels, weight gain, and decreased immune function. People who live the "fight or flight" zone may also be prone to anxiety, muscle tension, and sleep problems. Think of your adrenals like your bank account. If you keep withdrawing from your account you'll eventually be overdrawn. At that point every little financial need will seem like a big deal. If you constantly press your adrenals with stress eventually even little issues create big stress responses. When pushed to the absolute max, adrenal burnout can manifest as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, or autoimmune conditions You can reduce the stress on your adrenal glands by making simple lifestyle changes. Include protein with snacks and meals to keep your blood sugar and your adrenals balanced. Reduce coffee intake to just one cup in the moming. Aim to get to bed by 10pm at the latest. In addition to lifestyle changes there are some key nutrients and therapies that can help support the adrenals. We can help you prevent and treat adrenal fatigue. Call Penticton Naturopathic Clinic today to find out how For more info on all the services we offer check out our website: www.pentictonnaturopathic.com Dr.Natalie Mazurin, ND PENTICTON NATUROPATHIC CLINIC Suite 106-3310 Skaha Lake Rd., Penticton 250-492-3181