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Q&A: Adrenal fatigue and job burnout 

Stumped about an ingredient or recipe? Got a health query? Here’s your chance to ask Sheree your most compelling questions!  

 Q: What is adrenal fatigue and how do I know if I have it?  

 A:  Adrenal fatigue occurs when your adrenal glands cannot  sufficiently meet the demands of stress. Whether you’ve experienced  an emotional crisis such as the death of a family member, a physical  challenge such as serious injury or exposure to chemical toxins, or a continued stress in your life, the job of your adrenals is to maintain homeostasis within the body. There are lab tests to help you determine if your adrenals are functioning sufficiently; these usually involve the collection of a saliva sample. You may be experiencing adrenal fatigue if you regularly notice symptoms such as:  

  • You crave fatty, salty snacks  
  • You feel a lack of energy for no reason  
  • You have trouble getting up in the morning  and don’t really “wake up” until 10:00 a.m.  
  • You sigh a lot  
  • You have a burst of energy after 6:00 p.m.   

There are degrees of adrenal fatigue and the condition is treatable, often with protocols including change of diet and lifestyle. It typically takes six months to over a year to heal your adrenals. Your healthcare provider may suggest such treatments as:  

  • Avoidance of all junk foods  
  • Use of infrared sauna 
  • Addition of a B-complex supplement 
  • Adding sea salt to your diet (and eliminating table salt) 
  • Supplementing with herbs such as ashwaganda, Siberian ginseng, astragalus root, licorice root, schisandra and rhodiola 

Q: Are certain occupations more prone to burnout than others?  

A: Job burnout is a condition that causes you to experience a feeling of being mentally, physically and spiritually exhausted. You might also question your career choice and the value of your contribution to your profession. Anyone can experience burnout regardless of occupation when they work long hours, are under continuous stress, become exhausted and feel unappreciated. There are some career paths where burnout seems to occur at a higher than average rate. These include doctor, nurse, social worker, teacher, principal, attorney, law enforcement, accounting, retail and fast food.