Adrenal Fatigue and the Principle of Stimulation

One of the greatest trends in the progress of modern medicine has been the concept of stimulating

weaker systems in the body such as the immune system, adrenals, or thyroid. While this type of treatment has a place in healthcare, it is only one option for the treatment of a 'sluggish or fatigued' system. Traditionally the dominant theory was that weaker systems needed to be built up, strengthened, nourished. This took time and required a long term interaction with a healthcare professional. In those days, long term spa treatments were promoted (sanitariums - aptly named), people traveled to healing climates to recuperate from illness, and long term healthcare plans were the norm.

As we have become more a more impatient society focused on quick fixes and limited professional interaction, we have changed the philosophical approach of treatment to cover up symptoms and using stimulating therapies. As a physician I feel this approach is often short sighted, trading quick results for long term ramifications. I think this accounts for the alarming rise in chronic illness and creates a society of people that are increasingly dependent on multiple medicines to feel well enough to function.

This is especially apparent with adrenal fatigue. In fact you could make a case for adrenal fatigue being a result of the quick fix philosophy which focuses on getting you up, energetic, and back to work.... When sometimes the best solution is to listen to your body, recognize your limitations and allow for reasonable recovery.

The real issue with stimulating a slow adrenal gland is that often you simply hasten it's total failure. In modern terms this is no great loss because adrenal output can be replaced by pharmacology. But some of us still value the proper functioning of our body parts. The concept of stimulating a weak adrenal is akin to flogging a lame horse....ultimately pushing the animal forward past it's natural limits causes irreversible damage. And stimulating an adrenal gland that is struggling to keep up just adds to the pressure.

Ironically this type of treatment is even more common in 'self help' books and natural medicine than it is in conventional healthcare. While allopathic medicine barely recognizes adrenal fatigue or the continuum of compromised adrenal function prior to complete adrenal failure; natural healthcare is more likely to be practiced in a 'cookbook medicine' context by people who simply take a natural substance to 'increase their energy'.

Obviously my soapbox and philosophical platform is consistently derived from a Naturopathic approach. Accurately diagnose the problem, determine the underlying causes of the problem, and address the real issues. Why is this incredibly successful approach to solving the problem and restoring health so underutilized? Well, for one it takes a lot more skill and training to accomplish - rarely will people fully accomplish this working on their own. Secondly it takes time and effort and self discipline - honestly most people would rather take a pill and deal with the consequences later. And lastly and most importantly.... Most people don't KNOW they have options.