Other Names:
Adrenal Underactivity

Symptoms:
Dizziness, fainting, nausea, loss of appetite, moodiness, decrease in body hair, inability to cope with stress. Slight darkening and discoloration of the skin is more noticeable when body parts are exposed to the sun. This would include forehead, knees, elbows, scars, skin folds and creases (on the palms, etc.). The mouth and freckles may appear darker. The hair becomes darker.

Bands of pigment run the length of the nails.

Reduced adrenal function (resulting either from Addison's or Cushing's Disease) can result in weakness, headaches, memory problems, dizziness, allergies, food cravings, and blood sugar disorders.

Cause:
Both the adrenal underactivity of Addison's Disease and the overactivity of Cushing's Disease are caused by problems in the function of the adrenal glands.

Continued use of cortisone drugs for arthritis and asthma, etc., damage the adrenals. Those drugs cause them to shrink in size and not work properly. Yet, surprisingly enough, the shrunken glands can still overproduce and cause Cushing's Disease or underproduce and cause Addison's.

There is a way you can pinpoint whether or not your adrenals are functioning normally:

The systolic is the first number in a blood pressure reading, and the diastolic is the second. For example, 120/80. The systolic should be 10 points higher when you are standing than when you are lying down.

Lie down and rest for 5 minutes, and then have someone take your blood pressure. Then stand up and have it immediately taken again. The blood pressure will probably be somewhat higher.

But if it is lower when standing than when laying flat, the adrenals are not working properly. The lower it is, the worse the condition of the adrenals.

You will want to contact a medical professional. Addison's is a chronic condition which needs to be continually worked with. You may moderate the problem, but it is never fully eliminated.

Treatment:
• Maintain a good nourishing diet. Include Nova Scotia dulse or Norwegian kelp for trace minerals. Fresh, raw, and cooked greens and garlic should be part of your regime.

• Avoid tobacco, alcohol, caffeine, and soft drinks. Do not use sugar foods, fried foods, processed or junk foods. Do not eat meat.

• Avoid stress! This is very important, for stress is hard on weak adrenals. Take time for prayer and the study of God's Word, the Bible. He can help you solve the problems about you.

• Stress released ACTH through the pituitary, which can raise blood pressure, stores sodium and excretes potassium. Water retention in the tissues is another result.