The adrenal glands play an important part in the regulation of your body’s energy, pain and inflammation. When chronic stress on the body and adrenal glands occurs, these glands may not perform as needed to regulate certain hormones and stress levels. The result could be hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-dysregulation (once called adrenal fatigue), a chronic condition that can impact your wellness. At Nova Clinic, we offer hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-dysregulation (HPA-D) testing and support to help our patients achieve optimum health.

HPA-D Versus Adrenal Fatigue

For many years, fatigue caused by adrenal stress was called “adrenal fatigue.” This term is still used and referred to as a medical condition, but it is inaccurate. It is not just the adrenal glands that are affected by stress on the body. The hypothalamus and pituitary glands are also impacted, interfering with the communication between the brain and the adrenal glands. The condition is called hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-dysregulation, or HPA-D, which is a more accurate term than adrenal fatigue.

The adrenal glands create many hormones that help the body deal with stress. Cortisol is one of the essential hormones released by the adrenal glands, which can control pain, inflammation and blood sugar. Certain stresses can trigger the release of cortisol and other hormones from the adrenal glands. Pain and inflammation in the body can trigger cortisol release. Emotional stress, low blood sugar and body cycles can also cause cortisol release. Over time, excessive stress, pain, inflammation and diet issues can cause HPA-D from the overproduction of hormones, like cortisol. The result is chronic low energy, pain and inflammation when the adrenal glands no longer work correctly.

If you are looking for relief from the symptoms of HPA-D, you can trust Dr. Shama Patel at Nova Clinic. At our naturopathic medical practice, we believe that one-size-fits-all medicine is no longer acceptable, desirable or successful. Instead, we combine excellent patient care, innovative laboratory assessments and cutting-edge natural medicines to provide a unique service that is tailored to each patient and their biochemistry.

HPA-D Treatment

HPA-D or “adrenal fatigue” support can be different for each patient. It depends on what is causing the stress on the adrenal glands and how the patient’s body is responding. Adrenal, pituitary and hypothalamus gland testing can be performed to determine cortisol levels and gland functions. A combination of different alternatives may be recommended. This can include nutritional or diet changes, herbal or nutrition supplementation, stress management and other modalities for HPA-D.

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-dysregulation does not occur overnight. Most people with this condition have had ongoing issues with stress, pain, inflammation or energy loss for several months or even years. If you are suffering from chronic low energy or pain, come see our holistic medical team at Nova Clinic for HPA-D testing and natural support at our clinic in Alpharetta, GA.