What is the Origin of Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome?

The concept of "Adrenal Fatigue" was first introduced in 1998 by a chiropractor, James Wilson, to provide an explanation for the common symptoms experienced by individuals under prolonged psychological or physiological stress. The name derives from the hypothesis that the adrenal glands, the body's primary stress responders, become functionally "fatigued" from sustained overwork. It remains a term primarily utilized within the complementary and alternative medicine space. Mainstream endocrinology frames the physiological changes within the established context of the HPA axis and allostatic load.

What is the Mechanism of Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome?

Proponents suggest the mechanism involves the chronic overstimulation of the HPA axis, initially leading to elevated cortisol, followed by a hypothesized inability of the adrenal cortex to maintain sufficient output. This is a theoretical exhaustion that is not supported by standard clinical cortisol testing in most cases. The more scientifically precise mechanism involves a chronic blunting or flattening of the normal diurnal cortisol rhythm, which is a state of HPA axis dysregulation. This altered feedback mechanism impairs the body's ability to appropriately modulate energy, immune function, and sleep cycles, contributing to the subjective feeling of burnout.

Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome

Meaning

Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome is a popular, non-medical term describing a cluster of non-specific symptoms such as persistent, unexplained fatigue, sleep disturbances, body aches, and general malaise. This concept suggests a state where the adrenal glands are supposedly exhausted from chronic stress and unable to produce adequate levels of cortisol. It is important to clarify that this term is not recognized as a distinct clinical diagnosis by major endocrinology societies, nor is it synonymous with true medical conditions like Addison’s disease. The symptoms often reflect a chronic stress response more accurately described as Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation. This constellation of subjective complaints represents a perceived decline in resilience and physical capacity.