Adrenal fatigue
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Adrenal fatigueorhypoadreniais apseudo-scientificterm used byalternative medicineproviders to suggest that theadrenal glandsare exhausted and unable to produce adequate quantities ofhormones,primarilycortisol,due tochronic stressor infections.[1]There is no scientific basis for the existence of adrenal fatigue, and the term should not be confused with a number of actual forms of adrenal dysfunction such asadrenal insufficiencyorAddison's disease.[1][2]
Definition[edit]
Neither the condition nor the symptoms have any stable or recognized definition.[3]
History[edit]
The term "adrenal fatigue" was invented in 1998 bychiropractorJames Wilson and applied to a collection of mostlynon-specific symptoms.[1][3]
Lack of evidence[edit]
A systematic review found no evidence for the condition, supporting the consensus among mainstreamendocrinologiststhat it is a myth.[4]There is noevidencesupporting the concept of adrenal fatigue, and it is not a valid diagnosis recognized by the scientific or medical communities.[1][2]
Tests[edit]
Blood or salivary testing is sometimes offered, but there is no evidence that adrenal fatigue exists and it cannot be tested for.[1][3][5]
Diagnosis[edit]
Adrenal fatigue is not an accepted medical diagnosis.[6]
Dietary supplements[edit]
The concept of adrenal fatigue has given rise to an industry ofdietary supplementsmarketed to treat the supposed condition. These supplements are largely unregulated in the U.S., are ineffective, costly, and in some cases may be dangerous.[3][5]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^abcdeShah, Rachna; Greenberger, Paul A. (2012-05-01)."Chapter 29: Unproved and controversial methods and theories in allergy‐immunology".Allergy and Asthma Proceedings.33(3): 100–102.doi:10.2500/aap.2012.33.3562.ISSN1088-5412.PMID22794702.
There is no scientific basis for the existence of this disorder and no conclusive method for diagnosis
- ^abWhitbourne, Kathryn (February 7, 2021)."Adrenal Fatigue: Is It Real?".WebMD.Metcalf, Eric.Retrieved2014-03-19.
- ^abcdGavura, Scott (October 28, 2010)."Fatigued by a Fake Disease".Science-Based Medicine.RetrievedMarch 12,2015.
- ^Cadegiani, Flavio A.; Kater, Claudio E. (24 August 2016)."Adrenal fatigue does not exist: a systematic review".BMC Endocrine Disorders.16(1): 48.doi:10.1186/s12902-016-0128-4.ISSN1472-6823.PMC4997656.PMID27557747.
- ^abRoss, Ian L.; Jones, Jay; Blockman, Marc (2018-08-28)."We are tired of 'adrenal fatigue'".South African Medical Journal.108(9): 724–725.doi:10.7196/SAMJ.2018.v108i9.13292.ISSN2078-5135.PMID30182895.S2CID52155559.
- ^https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/addisons-disease/expert-answers/adrenal-fatigue/faq-20057906
External links[edit]
- Adrenal Fatiguefrom theEndocrine Society
