A Guest Post by Dr. Neha Vijayakar (The Author)
STRESS
Stress (or distress) comes stealthily in our life and creates great havoc in our body and mind. For some, stress means combating everyday traffic to get to work, for others it signifies getting the kids ready in time for school. The worst part is that we accept stress so easily and nurture it so carefully that it takes days, weeks and many times, years to realise that this seemingly “temporary” condition has been responsible for the biggest health issues in our lives.
EFFECT OF STRESS ON ADRENAL GLANDS
Because Stress is so mean (and also extremely smart), it directly attacks that part of your system which monitors the harmony of our physiology- the Neuro-Endocrine Axis. To explain simply, your Hypothalamus and all the Endocrine Glands are at the mercy of its unforgiving ways [5].
To set the ball rolling, Stress makes its presence felt first in the two tiny, deceptively less-important glands called the Adrenals. The adrenal glands sit at the top of the kidneys. In Chinese medicine, adrenal glands and kidneys are considered as one unit. The problem with one affects the other. Adrenal glands are “stress supervisors“. They release anti-stress hormone like Cortisol and other hormones. Cortisol suppresses the release of the body’s “feel good” hormone Serotonin, amplifying the anxiety and sometimes, also augmenting depression, as well as Melatonin, the hormone related to sleep. Adrenal glands are responsible for the “fright, fight & flight” response of our bodies [click to tweet]. It is these glands which feel the maximum punch of nervous tension.
ADRENAL FATIGUE:
Adrenal fatigue is a collection of symptoms such as body ache, fatigue (not relieved by any means, not even by sleep), nervousness, sleeplessness and digestive problems.
It is so because adrenal glands become underactive i.e. functions performed by adrenal glands are below the necessary level. It can be due to intense or prolong (chronic) stress or infection.
STAGES OF ADRENAL FATIGUE
Stage |
Response |
Reaction |
I: ALARM |
|
|
II: RESISTANCE |
|
|
III: EXHAUSTION (ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY) |
|
|
HOMEOPATHIC RESTORATION
It is no wonder that Homeopathy works, with uncanny instinct, to restore this miserably imbalanced state of affairs, because, what is needed here is cleaning right from the basic level and eradication of the problem from its core (origin).
It is fascinating to note that Adrenal Exhaustion relates the exact textbook picture of one particular homeopathic remedy called NUX VOMICA. Nux vomica meticulously covers not only insomnia, digestive disturbances and irritability of the condition, but also accounts for the inordinate craving for stimulants and piquant foods.
It is a matter of clinical deduction that Nux vomica works to combat Stress and restore the optimum functioning of the Adrenals, and in turn the entire chain of Endocrine glands.
Remedies for adrenal fatigue include Argenticum nitricum, Arsenicum album, Gelsemium, Phosphorous, etc
CONCLUSION
However, a word of caution. This does not mean that Nux Vomica or any other homeopathic medicine should be taken on a routine basis by anyone manifesting the symptoms of Adrenal Exhaustion/Fatigue. Homeopathy is a highly individualistic discipline of Medicine, with each individual calling for a different remedy based on a holistic constitutional make-up and calls for the skilled professional services of a qualified homeopathic physician for complete cure.
Other than that, one can get involved in yoga and meditation to get relieved of stress.
References:
1. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. 15th Edition.
2. Oxford Textbook of Medicine
4. Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica. William Boericke
5. Response to stress by adrenal harmones
About the Author: Dr. Neha Vijayakar

Dr. Neha Vijayakar
Dr. Neha Rajiv Vijayakar studied Homeopathy at Smt. Chandaben Mohanbhai Patel Homeopathic Medical College, Mumbai, India and graduated (BHMS) with first-class honors in 2009. Besides studying, she excelled in extra-curricular pursuits making her the General Secretary of the Students’ Council for the year 2008-2009. She was also the Co-editor of the Annual College Magazine, Ethos.
Because of a keen interest in Psychology, she took up and successfully completed a Post-Graduate Diploma in Psychological Counselling. She also topped the State-Level Entrance Test for M.D. (Homeopathy) in the year 2011.
Today, she is a practicing homeopathic physician and counseling psychologist and is in her final year towards receiving an M.D. (Homeopathy) with specialization in Practice of Medicine. She also consults patients online and an avid medical writer. You can write to her at dr.neharv@gmail.com
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The above post was originally published by the author in July 2013 on her blog Happiness Unplugged! and is republished here after modifications with her explicit permission. The Copyright is reserved with the author (Dr. Neha Vijayakar). All opinions are that of the author.
The above Guest Post is the twenty-first in the GUEST BLOG SERIES. For reading previous Guest Posts check out https://drnancymalik.wordpress.com/2012/08/23/guest-blog-series
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Dr Nancy Malik
Adrenal insufficiency (Stage 3 of Adrenal Fatigue)
Chief Symptoms
reduced cortisol production by adrenal glands
salt craving due to sodium loss in urine
Diagnosis
Final diagnosis for adrenal insufficiency is made based on blood tests for Cortico tropin hormone (CTH), Adreno cortico tropic hormone (ACTH), De-hydro-epi-androsterone (DHEA), DHEAS, cortisol, aldosterone, renin, sodium and potassium.
Effect
hyperplasia (increase in size) of adrenal gland
What Next?
Adrenal Insufficiency over the period of time may lead to hypothyroid, addison disease and finally adrenal failure.
Differential Diagnosis
After ruling out iron-deficient anemia and hypothyroidism, if you are still feel tired all throughout the day, then most likely it is either a case of chronic fatigue syndrome or adrenal fatigue.
Thank You Dr. Neha for such a wonderful article. Regards.
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