Many patients use the term “adrenal fatigue” to describe burnout, chronic stress, or persistent exhaustion. While the adrenals don’t literally “fatigue,” long-term stress can dysregulate the HPA axis—the system that governs your stress hormones, sleep–wake cycle, inflammation, and energy.

Feeling “tired”

• Usually improves with rest
• Often linked to lack of sleep, overexertion, seasonal stress, or poor nutrition

Chronic stress-related fatigue (HPA-axis imbalance)

• Does not improve with sleep alone
• Can include brain fog, irritability, trouble waking up, midday crashes, salt/sugar cravings
• May impact thyroid, sex hormones, and immune resilience

My naturopathic training emphasizes treating the root cause, not just the symptom—whether it’s stress overload, nutritional depletion, gut imbalance, or hormonal dysregulation.

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