| Sleeping problems are epidemic in our society. Just | | | | enough cortisol to keep blood sugar levels steady |
| watch late night television and count the | | | | as you go through your nightly fast (we all go |
| commercials for the latest and greatest insomnia | | | | through a typical 8-10 hour fast when we sleep). |
| medications. Do you think those medications | | | | As blood sugar levels start to drop during the |
| actually address the cause of the problem? | | | | middle of the night, normally your adrenal glands |
| The biggest problem with insomnia medications is | | | | secrete cortisol to help push blood sugar levels |
| the heavy side effects that they carry. Don't | | | | back up. That is normal. That is what's supposed |
| believe me? Just take a look at the fine print in an | | | | to happen. If your glands cannot produce enough |
| insomnia ad appearing in a magazine. You will | | | | cortisol to keep your blood sugar levels |
| notice that they have to buy an extra page of ad | | | | maintained, you will shift to a backup system, |
| space just to list all of the side effects. Does that | | | | which is the release of epinephrine and nor |
| sound like something that should be taken long | | | | epinephrine. These hormones are Central Nervous |
| term or at all? | | | | System stimulants and will wake you up. This is |
| If you suffer from insomnia you need to find a | | | | why you may seem to wake up, wide awake, at |
| doctor that is going to explore the causative | | | | the same time every night. |
| reasons and ask the question why? Why can't | | | | The adrenal hyper function patient, has higher |
| you fall asleep? Why can't you stay asleep? Or | | | | than normal cortisol levels at bed time. This will |
| why can't you sleep altogether? It is only when | | | | keep you from falling asleep, because higher than |
| the actual mechanism for your problem is | | | | normal cortisol levels as you are trying to fall |
| discovered, that you can get a real, lasting, | | | | asleep, will prevent you from falling into a normal |
| solution to your insomnia. An easy way to judge | | | | sleep pattern. In either case it is important to look |
| how well your doctor is doing with your insomnia, | | | | at all the factors that contribute to adrenal fatigue |
| is to consider how hard he is working to uncover | | | | and hyper activity. An insomnia medication will |
| the source of your problem. Did you mention | | | | never fix the core problem in this example. This |
| your difficulty sleeping and immediately get a | | | | very scenario I just described to you is very |
| prescription for an insomnia medication? Do you | | | | common. There are many factors that must be |
| think they really tried to uncover the reason | | | | considered including circadian rhythm of cortisol |
| why? Does it make sense to take a potentially | | | | release, lifestyle factors, emotional stress, food |
| harmful medication, loaded full of side effects, | | | | sensitivities, among other things. There is no one |
| when there may be an actual solution to your | | | | size fits all treatment for this syndrome but you |
| problem? | | | | can have success and conquer your insomnia if |
| In a large number of insomnia cases, the | | | | you find a doctor who takes a comprehensive, all |
| underlying problem is directly related to blood | | | | natural, big picture approach, to this modern day |
| sugar imbalances, in particular to adrenal function. | | | | plague called Adrenal Stress Syndrome. |
| The adrenal glands are two small glands located | | | | As a matter of caution, if your doctor |
| above the kidney, which secrete hormones that | | | | immediately wants to prescribe cortisol |
| help the body stabilize blood sugar. The main | | | | replacement, I would consider getting a second |
| hormone secreted that is related to blood sugar is | | | | opinion if I were you. This is not a simple matter |
| cortisol. | | | | of replacing low cortisol, in fact is may further |
| If you have adrenal hyper function, you will | | | | prevent your body from producing your own |
| experience an inability to fall asleep. With adrenal | | | | cortisol. All mechanisms must be considered, and a |
| fatigue, the symptom is exactly opposite; you can | | | | comprehensive approach that restores function |
| fall asleep, but can't stay asleep. In both scenarios, | | | | and feedback loops is the only way to make |
| adrenal hyper function and adrenal fatigue, if the | | | | lasting change, and restore proper sleep patterns. |
| adrenal dysfunction is not dealt with directly, then | | | | Remember always ask, "why is this happening?" |
| you will continue to suffer with insomnia. | | | | Work with a doctor who is willing to work hard |
| With adrenal fatigue, your body does not produce | | | | for you. |