Clinical perspective on stress, cortisol and adrenal fatigue

After 30+ years of clinical practice, it is this author's experience that adrenal fatigue is a common stress-related disorder in which the symptoms are strongly influenced by circulating cortisol levels. Although adrenal fatigue has appeared in the medical literature by various names for over 100 years, its prevalence is just now coming to the forefront. Healthcare professionals can make a dramatic difference by monitoring patients’ health to check for signs and symptoms of adrenal fatigue. Despite the frequency with which this health condition occurs, even many skilled clinicians have not had the opportunity to learn about it or its importance to their practice. The intent of this article is to provide the practitioner with clinically relevant information about the diagnosis and successful treatment for adrenal fatigue.