adrenal glands and relation to IC CONNECTION?? I think so!

**bluetou** · 11-02-2008, 07:45 AM

ANYONE have issues with their adrenal glands? I ask as your adrenals are responsible for producing over 50 different hormones in the body....and well we all know if the hormones are out of wack...our ic is too...?? READ BELOW:

The adrenal glands are two small glands, each about the size of a large grape. They are situated on top of the kidneys. Their purpose is to help the body to cope with stress and help it to survival. Each adrenal gland has two compartments. The inner or medulla modulate the sympathetic nervous system through secretion and regulation of two hormones called epinephrine and nor epinephrine that are responsible for the fight or flight response. The outer adrenal cortex comprises 80 percent of the adrenal gland and is responsible for producing over 50 different types of hormones in three major classes - glucocorticoids, mineralcorticoids and androgens.

The most important glucocorticoid is cortisol. When this is lowered, the body will be unable to deal with stress.

Mineralcorticoids such as aldosterone modulate the delicate balance of minerals in the cell, especially sodium and potassium. It therefore regulates our blood pressure. Stress increases the release of aldosterone, causing sodium retention (leading to water retention and high blood pressure) and loss of potassium and magnesium. Magnesium is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body. When the body lacks magnesium, it will suffer from a variety of pathological conditions such as cardiac arrhythmias, uterine fibroids and osteoporosis.

The adrenal cortex is also responsible for producing all sex hormones, although in small amounts. One exception is DHEA, a weak androgenic hormone that is made in large amounts in both sexes. DHEA, together with testosterone and estrogen, are made from pregnenolone, which in turn comes from cholesterol.

Pregnenolone also leads to the production of progesterone and as one of the intermediary steps in the making of cortisol. Pregnenolone is therefore one of the most important intermediate hormones being produced in the hormonal cascade. Prolonged deficiencies in pregnenolone will lead to reduction of both glucocorticosteroids and mineralcorticoids such as cortisol and aldosterone respectively.

Chronic stress is very common in the western society. The most common causes of stress are work pressure, death of a love one, moving house, changing jobs, illness and marital disruptions. Adrenal fatigue occurs when the amount of stress overextends the capacity of the body to compensate and recover from stress.

Stressors that can lead to adrenal fatigue include:

Anger
Chronic fatigue
Chronic illness
Chronic infection
Chronic pain
Depression
Excessive exercise
Fear and guilt
Gluten intolerance
Low blood sugar
Mal-absorption
Mal-digestion
Toxic exposure
Severe or chronic stress
Surgery
Late hours
Sleep deprivation
Excessive Exercise
Excessive sugar in diet
Excessive caffeine intake from coffee and tea
One of the most commonly overlooked causes of adrenal fatigue is chronic or severe infection that gives rise to an inflammatory response. Such infection can occur sub-clinically with no obvious signs at all. Parasitic and bacterial infections including Giardia and H. pylori are often the main culprits.

MORE INFORMATION that should be read...: check out this site:

http://www.drlam.com/A3R_brief_in_do...al_fatigue.cfm

I am certain that my IC and adrenals are totally linked.

Peace

**lmq78** · 11-02-2008, 07:49 AM

I have issues with my Adrenal glands! My DHEA is so low that my doctor wonders how I am able to manage. He feels as if it is mostly due to stress. He is having me read a book discussing Adrenal fatigue. It seems very interesting.

**Rainwilds** · 03-01-2009, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by bluetou

ANYONE have issues with their adrenal glands? ... The adrenal glands are two small glands, each about the size of a large grape. They are situated on top of the kidneys. Their purpose is to help the body to cope with stress and help it to survival ... I am certain that my IC and adrenals are totally linked ...

I have just been reading a book on adrenal fatigue and it's opened my eyes so much! I knew that stress affected my IC greatly, but I feel now that all the events that can lead to adrenal fatigue have also contributed to the deceloping of my IC. I urge people to read up on it - doctors do not recognise it, and if they did, we'd see a lot less of people being diagnosed with chronic illnesses!

**BT2008** · 03-02-2009, 01:54 AM

Hey Bluetou,

Hmmm

....after reading that article I don't see the connection at all....but maybe it is just not sinking in right now--I just had to up my Lyrica over the weekend and my brain hasn't been functioning very well since then....

So, in a nutshell, other than stress being a factor in both the adrenals and IC, how are you making a connection between the two?? And can I have the kindergarten version please??

Sorry for my dead brain,
~Beth

***ICNDonna*** · 03-02-2009, 02:27 AM

Actually, stress can be a factor in most physical conditions, including IC, blood pressure, muscle pain, etc., etc., etc. I'm sure the adrenals do respond to stress along with other organs.

I do not have a problem with adrenals.

vm · 03-02-2009, 08:34 AM

Dr. Buffington did a nice write up on this for the IC a few years ago - very interesting:

http://www.ic-network.com/clinicaltr...ngton1202.html

**Briza** · 03-02-2009, 09:25 AM

KIm...thanks for providing that link...I have read about IC being prevelant in cats for as long as I have been dxd w/ IC, and even before that knew many more cats (a couple of mine that I have had in years past and many others that belonged to friends or family) than humans with urinary problems but had never seen this particular article before.

Was interesting to read in this article that strictly indoor cats are more likely to have IC or other urinary problems...as from all the cats I have known my entire life (mine and others) it has seemed that strictly indoor cats seem to have more urinary issues or other stress related issues such as chewing hair in one spot, etc.) than those who are indoor/outdoor cats....just an observation of mine...not saying anything against those who have strictly indoor cats b/c I know that indoor cats tend to live longer lives and are less likely to be exposed to dangers of the outside wordl and diseases from contact with other animals that may shorten their lives.

Very intersesting, especially with this dr's history as a vet and having studied IC and its supposed causes in cats. Did take some re-reading a couple of times to understand the data tables presented in the article, but I think I got now

...very interesting. Thank you.

**Rainwilds** · 03-02-2009, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by vm

Dr. Buffington did a nice write up on this for the IC a few years ago - very interesting:

http://www.ic-network.com/clinicaltr...ngton1202.html

I found that article somewhere else, and that's how I found out about this whole cat/IC like condition. It's a very interesting read!

I have a feeling that most people who have a chronic illness must have some small amount of damage to their adrenal glands. It may not be something severe, like hypoadrenia, but there may be some insufficiencies there.

If anyone is curious to find out if they might be suffering from it, you can complete the questionairre that follows, which was taken from Dr. Wilson's book, titled "Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome".

http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache...3&client=opera

I urge you to take the time to look at this. I scored at 143, so I ranked as having severe adrenal fatigue. Obviously there are some medical tests to go through and confirm but it's a matter of finding a doctor willingly to look into it. Apparently, the medical system tends not to believe it exists, unless in the form of the VERY serious 'Addison's Disease'.

I believe that getting my adrenal glands fuctioning properly again will help my body in the process of healing ...

**Rainwilds** · 03-02-2009, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by ICNDonna

... I do not have a problem with adrenals.

Hello Donna

How did you find this out? I'm wondering which test is the best way. Apparently, there is a Saliva Hormone Test that can be done, but it's hard to find a doctor who will do it ...

**bluetou** · 03-02-2009, 10:38 AM

you can have blood work done by your doc, or you can go to a naturopath and they can do a urine test to test your adrenal glands.

peace
blue

**Rainwilds** · 03-02-2009, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by bluetou

you can have blood work done by your doc, or you can go to a naturopath and they can do a urine test to test your adrenal glands ...

I've read that the blood work often isn't the most accurate way ... ? I was thinking of seeing a naturopath though, so that would be good if they could do a test ...

**mbhbarb** · 03-06-2009, 05:37 PM

I have adrenal insufficiency diagnosed via an insulin tolerance test. I've wondered if there is a link between that and some of my other health problems, including IC. Interesting articles; I look forward to learning more.

barb

**Rainwilds** · 03-06-2009, 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by mbhbarb

I have adrenal insufficiency diagnosed via an insulin tolerance test. I've wondered if there is a link between that and some of my other health problems, including IC. Interesting articles; I look forward to learning more ...

I'm quite adamant that there may be a possible link between the adrenal glands and IC. I'm seeing a naturopath this week who thinks the same, and he will be testing me for an adrenal sufficiency. If I get any more information, I'll post it up!

**sailawaygrl** · 03-07-2009, 05:14 PM

I found this on the mayo clinic website. While is doesn't dispell the fact that
one my have issues with the adrenal glands, I read it to say it is best to treat the disease or other problems and it will resolve the adrenal issue. I also am not a fan of any colon cleanse process- I (personally) worry about the dangers that could cause a body. Anyway, I just wanted to share what I had found. I do believe that at this point there is no way that all of my body is not affected in some way by the stress, both physical and emotional of IC and I am now trying to work on all aspects of healing my body. Spriitually, mentally, physically and any other way I can find. (with counseling, PT and Dr assistance) Sometimes I just want all these chemicals out of me, they all have so many side effects but I will continue and try to work with my Dr to improve and hopefully no longer need so many meds.

Sandra

Adrenal fatigue is a label applied to a collection of nonspecific symptoms, such as body aches, fatigue, nervousness, sleep disturbances and digestive problems. The term often shows up in popular health books and on alternative medicine Web sites, but it isn't an accepted medical diagnosis.

Your adrenal glands produce a variety of hormones that are essential to life. The medical term "adrenal insufficiency" refers to inadequate production of one or more of these hormones as a result of an underlying disease. Signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency include fatigue, body aches, unexplained weight loss, low blood pressure, lightheadedness and loss of body hair. Adrenal insufficiency can be diagnosed by blood tests and special stimulation tests that show inadequate levels of adrenal hormones.

Proponents of the adrenal fatigue diagnosis claim this is a mild form of adrenal insufficiency caused by chronic stress. The unproven theory behind adrenal fatigue is that your adrenal glands are unable to keep pace with the demands of perpetual fight-or-flight arousal. As a result, they can't produce quite enough of the hormones you need to feel good. Existing blood tests, according to this theory, aren't sensitive enough to detect such a small decline in adrenal function — but your body is. That's why you feel tired, weak and depressed.

It's frustrating to have persistent symptoms your doctor can't readily explain. But accepting a medically unrecognized diagnostic label from an unqualified practitioner could be worse. Unproven remedies for so-called "adrenal fatigue" may leave you feeling sicker, while a treatable condition — such as depression or fibromyalgia — continues to take its toll.

**mbhbarb** · 03-08-2009, 01:59 PM

Sandra, thanks for posting that. Although all of my medical workup has been done by an endocronologist, I was not aware that body aches were a symptom of adrenal insufficiency. The prescribed treatment for this for me was daily cortesone (cortef) pills. When I started them it was like I'd tapped into the fountain of youth; suddenly I had energy! But I am concerned about the long-term side effects of taking this medication and my doctor said since my case was borderline I could try doing without them. I'm not as energetic now, and my blood pressure is still low (but not as low as it used to be), however, I've been having lots of achiness all over my body. Never made a connection. I'll phone Monday for an appointment. Thanks again.

barb