COMMON HEALTH CONDITIONS WE TREAT
The Historic Timeline of Adrenal and Chronic Fatigue Development
Adrenal fatigue is the body’s eventual reaction to continuous chronic stress.
It occurs over time when the adrenals (walnut-shaped glands on top of the kidneys) can no longer produce enough cortisol hormones due to deterioration and exhaustion.
This causes an individual to develop symptoms of fatigue.
The term Adrenal Fatigue wasn’t coined until the late 1990s by a chiropractor and naturopath, Dr. James Wilson.
Conventional doctors often question Dr. Wilson’s theory as they believe that there is not enough scientific evidence to prove his claim that fatigue can be a cause of worn out adrenal glands.
However, historic research data reveals that the adrenal glands and their effect on energy levels have been studied since the early 1800s.
Additionally, fatigue itself dates back to the late 1700s.
So, what’s the true story behind these different fatigue conditions and their true history?
Adrenal and Chronic Fatigue Timeline
1750
While chronic fatigue syndrome wasn’t officially discovered yet, a man by the name of Sir Richard Manningham reported a strange syndrome called febricula (translated into English is “little fevers”).
This described a continued mild fever of an indefinite origin with a short duration. Symptoms included chills, slight body aches, brain fog, and listlessness “all over the body”¹.
A century later, two medical journals sighted Manningham’s discovery as historical figures such as Charles Darwin and Florence Nightingale both developed symptoms of the condition with no distinct causes.
1849
Doctors began to study the adrenal glands and their connection to libido, immunity and energy levels.
Dr. Thomas Addison performed in-depth research on primary adrenal insufficiency and presented his findings at the South London Medical Society as a “state of anemia in adult males”² in the same year.
Follow-up research on the adrenal glands wouldn’t be performed until 70 years after Dr. Addison’s initial presentation which eventually introduced a new way to perceive the field of endocrinology.
1869
More in-depth research began to blossom surrounding chronic fatigue.
An American neurologist by the name of George Beard described a disease called neurasthenia.
This condition was described as “an organic illness that caused disabling fatigue of the mind and body”³.
Beard concluded that the illness had about 70 symptoms and it soon became overly diagnosed to the point where it was seen as “primarily psychological” due to a lack of scientific evidence during that time.
Because of this, the condition would be abandoned until further research would be conducted.
1898
As more individuals reported being feverish and having low energy with no probable cause, treatment methods for Dr. Addison’s discovered condition began to be experimented.
Doctors used porcine (swine insulin) within the adrenal cells to treat what used to be known as hypoadrenia (which is known as adrenal fatigue today).
Unfortunately, this treatment wasn’t as successful, and instead practitioners used adrenal extracts to boost hormone production.
Studies showed a slight difference in those with a drop in cortisol levels and a complete halt of hormone production, which eventually became known as Addison’s disease.
World War I (1914-1918)
Soldiers in combat began to develop symptoms of fatigue, however doctors were weary to diagnose chronic fatigue as the official condition.
Cardiologist Paul Wood only presumed that psychological factors were the initial cause.
Simultaneously, more research developments in endocrinology resulted in a better understanding of the production of hormones that control multiple areas in the body.
Doctors discussed the boundaries between Addison patients and those with hypoadrenia.
However, the two conditions were not yet connected with chronic fatigue, as the latter was not studied in-depth.
1919
Nicola Pende, an Italian Professor of Medicine, reviewed further research of hypoadrenia.
He recognized that hormonal imbalances are a “borderline between health and disease which represent mild endocrinopathic conditions”².
1934
Worldwide cases of chronic fatigue syndrome were more often reported and became known as an epidemic.
Specifically, the Los Angeles County Hospital encountered an outbreak of what was believed to be atypical poliomyelitis.
1940
Diagnosis of hypoadrenia became less frequent during the onset of World War II.
Testing for the condition made people grow skeptical of the validity of the condition since results seemed inconsistent in patients and testing methods were not accurate enough to officially diagnose the condition.
Addison’s grew more recognized as an official disease and from that point, conventional doctors decided to focus more on adrenal insufficiency rather than adrenal fatigue.
1955
A second outbreak occurred at the Royal Free Hospital in London, England 21 years following the Los Angeles epidemic.
Once again, symptoms resembled that of chronic fatigue syndrome.
1988
The first time that chronic fatigue was acknowledged and coined with the term “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome”.
Initially, the term was used interchangeably with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), however many cases did not lead to the development of EBV.
After the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) thoroughly analyzed patients from another outbreak, the term was eventually published as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
1998
After Dr. James Wilson conducted revamped saliva cortisol testing, he reintroduced the theory of hypoadrenia and renamed it to adrenal fatigue.
While not all doctors agreed with his thesis, his upgraded research methods allowed for other healthcare professionals within alternative medicine to establish a stronger basis surrounding the condition.
2006
For the first time, the CDC launches an educational campaign to raise awareness for chronic fatigue syndrome among healthcare professionals and the public.
Present Day
Conventional doctors still don’t recognize adrenal fatigue due to its symptoms resembling chronic fatigue syndrome and other illnesses.
However, Addison’s disease is continuously diagnosed as the alternative if cortisol levels appear low in testing results.
Alternative medical facilities acknowledge adrenal fatigue and treat it with therapeutic methods.
Research continues to be conducted on the scientific proof of chronic stress depleting cortisol production.
Practitioners at LifeWorks Wellness Center fully acknowledge adrenal fatigue and its side effects.
Additionally, they also provide accurate testing and treatment methods to help patients prevent further conditions or symptoms such as depression, autoimmunity, toxicity and lightheadedness.
If you or someone you know are experiencing symptoms of adrenal fatigue, chronic fatigue or Addison’s disease, please call to schedule an appointment with one of our practitioners at 727-466-6789.
