HPA Axis Suppression and What It Means for Your Health

Today more than ever, most of us are aware of the dramatic effects that stress can have on the body. And it’s not uncommon for a group of seemingly unrelated symptoms to be traced back to stress. Fatigue, anxiety, depression, and insomnia are some of the first symptoms to make an appearance. What many don’t understand is what systems in the body are impacted and why. Adrenal fatigue used to be the sweeping term used to address symptoms of chronic stress on the body. But many have never heard of the HPA axis. So what is the HPA axis? The HPA axis is the stress system in our bodies and describes the relationship between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenals. Together, they play a crucial role in regulating the stress hormone cortisol. When out of balance and not functioning optimally, the HPA axis can become suppressed. Left untreated, symptoms can become debilitating. However, much can be done to restore balance, starting with identifying the stress factors underlying the problem and finding ways to manage them naturally. Read more…