The answer is; it depends upon who you ask. If you go to a complimentary, or alternative medical provider with certain symptoms who believes and was trained that most diseases can be successfully treated or prevented without the use of drugs, most will say that you have adrenal fatigue. However; the Endocrinology Society and all of the other traditional medical specialties do not recognize this condition.
So what is it? “Adrenal Fatigue” was coined by James Wilson, Ph.D, a Naturopath and expert in alternative medicine. The adrenals are two small glands that are located on the top of the kidneys and produce several hormones, one of which is cortisol. Cortisol is often referred to as the “stress hormone” because when we are under extreme stress, the kidneys produce spurts of cortisol into the bloodstream. The adrenal fatigue theory suggests that consistent, prolonged exposure to stress could deplete cortisol levels leading to a myriad of symptoms such as: low energy, brain fog, lightheadedness, sweet and salt cravings, and even depression.
A recent review of 58 studies concluded that there is no scientific basis to associate adrenal impairment as a cause of fatigue. The Endocrinologists also are categorical stating: “there is no scientific proof to support adrenal fatigue as a true medical condition”.