Practitioner Mentorship

Transcription

1 Practitioner Mentorship Module 7.2 Adrenal Gland Dysfunction & Lyme With Hillary Thing, MS, LAc., Cert. Herbalist

2 7.2: Adrenal Gland Dysfunction & Lyme Learning Objectives: Understand role of the adrenal glands in a healthy body; Look at the relationship of the adrenals to other hormonal and body systems; Learn the pathogenesis and symptom picture of the adrenal imbalances that are frequently seen concurrent with Lyme disease; Look at diagnostic testing options and understand how to interpret them properly; Receive holistic strategies and protocols for healing adrenal gland dysfunction in the context of Lyme disease.

3 Your Adrenals Produce cortisol, DHEA, aldosterone, adrenaline (epinephrine / norepinephrine) and small amounts of sex hormones; These are the stress hormones that regulate your response to internal and external stimuli, and keep you alive and functioning; The adrenals are part of a network of 3 endocrine glands, the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis; When stress is perceived or experienced, the hypothalamus sends a message to the pituitary -> stimulates adrenals to release cortisol and epinephrine -> fight / freeze / flight response.

4 Adrenal Imbalance & Lyme Common in people with chronic illnesses including Lyme, fibromyalgia, CFS, etc. May be a major cause of poor energy and immune deficiency in people with TBD; May be a principal trigger of chronic persistent infection.

5 Adrenal Hormones Roles & Responsibilities Immune function Stress response Regulate blood sugar levels Regulate blood pressure and blood vessel constriction Inflammation Electrolyte balance in cells Mobilize protein for energy use Aid in carrying thyroid hormone from the blood into the cells.

6 Adrenal Insufficiency The adrenal glands fail to produce sufficient amounts of steroid hormones and adrenalin; Causes: Prolonged emotional stress Chronic infection and disease Chronic pain Trauma Toxins Insufficient sleep Excessive sugar, caffeine, alcohol, food allergens Highly sensitive, intuitive, over-responsible people may be more vulnerable.

7 Adrenal Insufficiency <-> Chronic Lyme Taxation to the adrenals from LD comes from: The infections themselves Pharmaceuticals, esp. long-term abx Endotoxins and a growing toxin load > vicious cycle of weakened detoxification, immunity, and energy (what the body needs to heal); and increasing inflammation (worsening symptoms). Everyone with chronic TBD has some degree of adrenal stress which would benefit from support. A primary reason that some people can t tolerate / won t heal from abx use alone.

8 Effects of Adrenal Insufficiency Poor detoxification POTS, dizziness, low blood pressure Weak immunity Low energy (chronic fatigue) Feeling cold, slow metabolism, hypothyroid Body pain and inflammation Anxiety and/or depression

9 Additional Symptoms of Adrenal Insufficiency (Kidney Yang deficiency) Needing to sleep more than 8 hours every night Decreased capacity for coping with stress Loss of libido Low body temperature Infertility Hypothyroidism Hypotension, dizzy, lightheaded Hypoglycemia Environmental and food allergies Feeling wired but tired

10 Adrenal Testing Test for cortisol, DHEA, and sex hormones Based on symptoms + lab test results Most reliable is the 24 hour saliva test for cortisol & DHEA Pay attention to both how the patient feels, and what the test reports (labs are a snapshot, and what is normal varies for individuals)

11 Phase 1: On-going Alarm DHEA and sex hormone levels begin to drop (resources are being diverted to make stress hormones); cortisol levels are high Feel wired but tired ; Hard time waking up in morning, but energetic in the evening; (cortisol too high at night and too low in the morning) Dependency on caffeine / sugar to wind up, alcohol / pot to wind down; Energy crashes at night; Loss of a healthy parasympathetic baseline.

12 Phase 2 - Resistance More substantial drops in DHEA and sex hormones (fertility is far less important than the ability to survive); Increasing fatigue, lack of sex drive, infertility, lack of motivation, decreasing immunity; Feel Flat (apathetic) rather than excited or upset at life situations; poor mental focus Cortisol levels will be low, or low in morning and high in evening This phase may continue for months or years, a.k.a. aging

13 Phase 3: Burnout Cortisol levels drop in addition to sex hormones; Brain neurotransmitters may also be low; Extreme tiredness, loss of sex drive, depression, apathy, anxiety, weight loss, toxicity, immune deficiency; Overall poor health (multi-system involvement); Recovery takes time, patience, and lifestyle changes.

14 Holistic Treatment of Adrenal Imbalance Adrenal Diet Supplement / nourish the adrenals Consider the thyroid Exercise Address infections after adrenal support / healing is in place. R&R: Calm the Sympathetic Nervous System Address sleep issues

15 Food As Medicine for Adrenal Insufficiency Eliminate food allergens and sensitivities Eat at regular intervals Low sugar, carb-selective fruits & veg, beans, Increase protein and healthy fats grass-fed animal meats, eggs, dairy; avocado; nuts & seeds Eliminate caffeine or keep to a minimum Hydrate Eat for nutrient density bone broth, seaweeds, fermented foods

16 Adrenal Glandulars Raw animal glandular tissue (usually porcine, or cow or sheep) or extracts freeze-dried and ground into powder; Acts as a source for natural hormones; technique has been in practice since 1920 s (European regenerative medicine) Serve to replenish, repair and eventually normalize adrenal function Highly suitable to the chronic Lyme / CCD population (may be too strong for not chronically ill people) Be sure to purchase from a reputable, clean, organic, grass-fed, ethical farming source Don t rely on glandulars alone!

17 Top 5 Adaptogenic Herbs for Adrenal Fatigue + Lyme Licorice / gan cao (Glycyrrhiza glabra, G. uralensis) + digestive soother; tastes good; high dose is useful for weaning off steroidal medications Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) + benefits sleep, energy Rhodiola + benefits depression, immune system deficiency Siberian ginseng / wu jia pi (Eleuthrococcus sp.) + benefits joint pain, immunity, endurance Schizandra berry / wu wei zi + calms the nervous system, treats frequent urination

18 Additional Nourishment for Adrenal Recovery DHEA Liposomal C B5, 6 & 12 Lipo glutathione Magnesium Sun exposure, especially in the early morning Exercise Sleep balance blood sugar levels

19 Doing Life Differently Fear & worry -> Trust & faith Eliminate or minimize draining stressful relationships Regulate workaholism and an over-packed schedule Schedule down time (R&R) every day Deep belly breathing 5-10 minutes / 3x / day