Dr.Jill
Adrenal fatigue is often caused by excessive stress, which can be from many sources. Chemical toxicity and nutritional depletion are among the physical causes. Mental, emotional, or spiritual stress may be a major factor, too. Financial, family, or other stress may also contribute to burnout. Even infections can play a role. You need to identify the stressor causing your symptoms to properly treat adrenal fatigue.

 1. Nutritional Deficiencies
Many people today have subclinical deficiencies of essential nutrients, such as B vitamins, vitamins A, C, and E, magnesium, zinc, and other trace elements. Our adrenals require vital nutrients in order to properly function. On top of that, when under stress, your need for nutrients is even greater. 

Sadly, the standard American diet is at many times lacking in micronutrients. Incorporating whole, unprocessed foods into your diet gives your adrenals the macro- and micronutrients they require to properly function. 

Things we ingest that stress the adrenals include:

• Refined carbohydrates
• Processed foods, additives, and chemicals
• Genetically modified ingredients
• Corn, soy, and canola
• Foods low in protein
• Excessive sugar
• Foods low in quality fats and high in unhealthy fats
• Poor quality water (affects the oxygenation of your tissues and makes your body work that much harder to adequately perfuse your vital organs and tissues.

Reasons why many diets are low in nutrients the adrenal require include:

• Produce grown in nutrient-depleted soils
• Soil today contains a fraction of the magnesium present in soil hundreds of years ago 
• Unhealthy eating habits, such as eating in the car or on the run, further diminish the value derived from food and our ability to digest it
• Allergic reactions to foods, such as wheat and dairy products, can damage the intestines and reduce the absorption of nutrients as well

Foods to eat to support your adrenal glands include:

• Healthy fats
• Olive oil, coconut oil, nuts, seeds, ghee, and butter
• Protein 
• Eggs, meat, poultry, and fish
• Healthy carbohydrates
• Potatoes, beans, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
• Colorful fruits and vegetables
• Dark greens, purple cabbage, red apples, green kiwis, green beans, squash, etc.

 
2. Environmental Toxins
Toxic chemicals often play a large role in adrenal burnout. Every day, we’re exposed to thousands of chemicals in air, water, and food. Check out these 10 tips to decrease your toxin load.

Common environmental toxins are found in:

• Dental products
• Opt for natural, organic toothpaste
• Beauty products
• Avoid products with parabens, phthalates, ammonia, and sodium lauryl sulfate
• Cleaning products
• Opt for natural, organic cleaners
• Over-the-counter and prescribed medications   

Toxins may also be generated internally due to microbial imbalances in the gut and impaired digestion. When food is not properly digested, it may ferment in the intestines, producing harmful substances that are absorbed through the intestinal lining. A healthy body has the ability to eliminate many toxins on a daily basis. 

However, as adrenal weakness develops, the body’s ability to eliminate toxins decreases. This produces a vicious cycle in which weaker adrenals impair the elimination of all poisons, which then further weakens the adrenals.

 
3. Chronic Infections
Chronic infections contribute greatly to the toxic load of the body. Infections also trigger inflammation and stress that must be countered using the adrenal hormones cortisol and cortisone. Chronic infections may originate in infected teeth and gums, though infections can be located anywhere in the body. 

One of the most commonly overlooked causes of adrenal fatigue are intestinal infections that give rise to an inflammatory response. Such infection can occur subclinically with no obvious signs at all. Infections in the gut, including giardia, SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), fungal dysbiosis, and h. pylori, are just a few that may contribute to adrenal dysfunction.

 
4. Stimulants or Excessive Exercise
Stimulants damage the adrenal glands by pushing the secretion of stress hormones and adrenaline. Caffeine, sugar, and alcohol are among the most common culprits. Over time, this depletes the body of essential neurotransmitters. 

Other less obvious, but no less important, stimulants may include:

• Feelings of anger
• Arguments
• Loud music
• Tragic news
• Movies with suspense or excessive violence

Other activities that may act as stimulants include: 

• Vigorous exercise 
• Recreational drug use
• High-risk sports
• Surfing, diving, or extreme climbing if done in excess may deplete the adrenals

Most of these activities provide a temporary “high,” which is caused in part by the secretion of high amounts of adrenal hormones. Over time, however, this weakens the adrenals and can eventually lead to adrenal depletion and insufficiency.  

 5. Toxic Emotions
Uncontrolled emotions are another cause of adrenal burnout. These include habitual worry, anger, or fear. This applies particularly to high strung, Type A, nervous individuals as they are especially prone to adrenal burnout. “Don’t worry, be happy” is a great prescription for adrenal fatigue. 

Prayer and meditation release calming neurotransmitters. They also take the body from a state of fight or flight into the parasympathetic mode of relaxation, which is extremely helpful in healing adrenal fatigue. In addition, cultivating an attitude of gratitude can do wonders for your adrenals.

 
6. Stress
Any excessive stress can deplete the adrenals. An excessive workload, long hours, lack of sleep, or emotional stress are common. Other stressors in cities are noise and electromagnetic pollution. Cell phones, microwave towers, and appliances—such as televisions, cell phones, wearable electronics, microwave ovens, and computers—give off strong EMF fields that can be stressful to our bodies.

 
7. Other Causes
Other stressors that can lead to adrenal fatigue include:

• Chronic illness
• Chronic pain
• Gluten intolerance
• Malabsorption and poor digestion
• Surgery
• Sleep deprivation
• Excessive caffeine intake 

Maurie Backman

Many people assume that once they retire, they'll spend a lot less on living expenses than they did during their working years. But if there's one cost that tends to rise among seniors, it's healthcare. In fact, Fidelity recently estimated that a 65-year-old couple retiring this year will spend $285,000 on medical expenses throughout retirement when we factor in costs like Medicare premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copays.

The good news, however, is that Medicare enrollees are entitled to a number of no-cost services designed to keep them healthy. If you're planning to enroll in Medicare, or have already signed up, here are a handful you should know about.

1. Annual wellness visits
Most health insurance plans offer enrollees one free wellness checkup a year, and Medicare is no exception. Your wellness visit is a good opportunity to see how you're faring health-wise and get ahead of any issues that may be brewing.

2. Alcohol counseling
Substance abuse impacts people of all ages. Medicare will cover the cost of alcohol counseling so that you can kick your addiction without incurring a pile of bills.

3. Smoking cessation programs
Smoking is more than just an unhealthy habit; it's an expensive one. If you're looking to quit, Medicare will allow you to enroll in an approved program at no cost.

4. Depression screenings
Retirees are 40% more likely to be diagnosed with clinical depression than workers. Part of that stems from the fact that physical health issues tend to creep up as people age, which could have a mental impact as well. Also, because many retirees go from being busy at work to being overwhelmingly bored, that lifestyle adjustment can take a toll. Thankfully, Medicare offers an annual depression screening for free so that if you're suffering from it, you can get the help you need.

5. Annual mammograms
Diagnostic tests can be expensive, and many people skip them to avoid hefty bills. In doing so, however, they put their well-being at risk. Medicare offers free mammography services once a year so that women can stay on top of their health.

6. Obesity counseling
Being overweight opens the door to a wide range of health issues. Medicare will cover the cost of obesity counseling for enrollees whose weight puts them in that at-risk category.

7. Colorectal cancer screenings
The chances of being diagnosed with colorectal cancer increase with age. Medicare allows enrollees to get ahead of the problem by offering certain screening tests for free, the frequency of which will depend on the risk group you fall into.

8. Flu shots
Seniors who get the flu are more likely to suffer complications than younger adults who contract it. Medicare offers free flu shots to enrollees to help them avoid falling ill during flu season

9. Bone mass measurements
The risk of osteoporosis increases with age. Medicare will cover the cost of bone mass measurements once every two years for those at risk of osteoporosis.

10. Diabetes screenings
Treating diabetes early on can help patients avoid complications. Medicare will pay for up to two diabetes screenings per year, depending on your level of risk. Medicare also offers training on how to manage diabetes, but for that, you'll share in the cost. Medicare also has a diabetes prevention program you can enroll in if you haven't been diagnosed with the condition but are at risk for it. That program is totally free.

It pays to take advantage of the free services Medicare offers to keep yourself as healthy as possible. And if you're new to Medicare, read up on how the program works so that you're able to benefit from the different services it provides.

By Suzy Sherman
Chiropractic care is an effective way for people, more so, athletes and professional sportspeople to attain their optimum health and physical capacity without having to use medication for ailments, pains, or strains. For high performance athletes who require to be in their best physical and mental state at all times, that is best achieved through exercise and muscle relaxation. Additionally, they are prone to injuries and strains which is detrimental to their overall activity, hence the need for healing and adjustments offered by chiropractors.

Other than the drug-free nature, this type of care is non-invasive, which is much safer for the athletes’ future and takes lesser time to heal. Intuitively, many sportspeople do not prefer being off the field from injury as they draw their inspiration from their field activities and future performance in competition, thus they require fast and effective solutions for their physical conditions. In the recent past, chiropractic care has gained popularity in the sports and games fields owing to the enormous benefits gained with little to nil adverse results. This form of attention has been proven appropriate for both high impact and low impact field activities.

1.   Increased physical performance. Among the most critical benefits of chiropractic care is the increased physical performance as a result of improved spine movement. The human spine is directly connected to the nervous system; thus the optimization of the spinal movement increases the sensory capability of the athlete. In turn, the person improves their balance and speed of reaction to their environment which is a crucial aspect in sports. Benefits in Elite Sports and Spine chiropractic would include faster sensory response, better grip, improved hand-eye coordination, balance, and increased overall physical performance.
2.   Pain reduction. Athletes and sportspeople are often vulnerable to injury and strains owing to the high activity nature of their respective types of sports. Both low and high impact sports and games lead to various kinds of damage which slow their activity or render them unfit to perform their normal activities. Chiropractic services play the roles of both prevention and treatment of such injuries. Among the significant benefits in this respect is the reduction of pain caused as a result of movement in the afflicted areas. This form of care may be used as a relief as a substitute or complement of conventional medication.
3.   Injury prevention. While these services are a form of treatment, they have the benefit of preventive measure to injuries. With athletes’ performance, coordination and balance improved, the athletes are less prone to injury which are most often than not are caused by the inadequacy of such factors. This eventuality is directly related to the movement patterns of the individual and their flexibility even in strenuous activities. The individual is also able to withstand the torture of such events on their body much easily and additionally heal from them.
4.   Increase in strength. Strength is a crucial determinant in most sports owing to the vigorous and high frequency of movement involved. Thus, the benefit of increased strength through chiropractic care is critical to their ability to perform as strength and performance are almost synonymous in many fields.
5.   Muscular and skeletal relaxation. When the pressure in muscles is relieved, and pressure areas of the body are well taken care of through chiropractic care, the tension built up is rid of and the individual can, therefore, handle more pressure easily. Pressure points are dependent on the individual’s body form and also their type of activity. Chiropractors, therefore, determine each individual’s needs and attend to these areas effectively. The procedures for this relief differ as well to help achieve maximum relaxation of the body hence enabling the person to move more freely and flexible. This therapeutic method also offers mental comfort and calmness which increases the individual’s concentration and joy in their activity.
6.   Non-invasive and drug-free nature. Many people prefer avoiding medication and invasive procedures to cure their body of injuries as well as enhancing their physical performance. Therefore, many sportspeople and athletes prefer therapeutic practices such as this as part of their healing and enhancement options. Also, professional players are often restricted on the types of substances they input in their body making chiropractic care the first regiment in their preparation and maintenance of body fitness. The quick results from such procedures is also a critical benefit to athletes who are often eager to get back to the field and shine.

Given the numerous merits of this form of therapy, it is the consistent and effective form of treatment and enhancement. Its benefits are spread across every type of physical enhancement to mental preparation which are the most substantial factors in athletics and professional sports.

DrAxe
1. Helps Treat Unresponsive Chronic Pain & Injuries
Have you relied on taking pain-reducing medications (including Advil, aspirin, ibuprofen and oral steroids) frequently or for long periods in order to dull muscular or joint pain, yet experienced little improvement? Maybe you’ve had the same disappointing experience after having corrective surgery for an injury or tried physical therapy without much success?

Then you’re the perfect candidate for PRP treatment. PRP can often help patients who haven’t responded well to other treatments overcome ongoing pain, stiffness, limited range of motion, trouble exercising, sleep trouble and other limitations.

Wondering why the body won’t resolve certain injuries on its own and relies on treatments like prolotherapy to heal properly? One theory is that over time the body can stop recognizing an area as “something to repair,” especially in the case of chronic injuries, degeneration or conditions such as severe tendonosis that cause lots of pain. Because of this, some speculate that PRP might be one of the best suited types of prolotherapy for these kinds of injuries, due to it increasing natural “irritation” and growth factor expressions.

The way that PRP and stem cell treatments help to resolve chronic pain is causing a purposeful, mild inflammation response near damaged tissue. This type of inflammatory response is usually what happens following an injury, but in some cases the healing process doesn’t always correctly rebuild the damaged area and the body then “forgets” to keep attending it. PRP ultimately helps to restart the process and for new fibers to then grow back.

2. Reduces Tendonitis Symptoms
Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that an estimated 30–50 percent of all sports-related injuries are tendon disorders, many of which become unresponsive to treatment after some time. 

PRP prolotherapy has been found to help with common sports injuries, including those of the Achilles tendon or elbow, such as: medial or lateral epicondylitis (better known as golfers’ or tennis elbow), extensor or flexor tendonitis/tendonosis or tears, tendinopathy, and ulnar collateral and radial collateral ligament tears. In 2010, even Tiger Woods reported using PRP to overcome injuries in his knee and Achilles tendon!

Stanford University published the first human study supporting the use of PRP for chronic tendon problems in 2006. They found that patients experienced on average a 93 percent reduction in pain at the two-year follow up point. Stanford has been recommending prolotherapy for pain and other conditions (such as stroke recovery) ever since. 

3. Helps Decrease Osteoarthritis Symptoms
Studies have found that osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease patients receiving platelet-rich growth factor injections experience restored hyaluronic acid concentrations and improved angiogenesis, which help to reverse joint damage and stop disease progression.

PRP and stem cell treatments have been found to specifically restore hyaluronic acid due to the presence of synovial fibroblasts and hepatocyte growth factors. These effects have been found to be especially beneficial for those with knee pains due to osteoarthritis (one of the most common symptoms).

A 2010 pilot study that was published in the American Journal of Physical Medicine Rehabilitation found that OA patients with knee pain who received treatments for four weeks on average reported no adverse events and saw significant (and almost linear) improvements in all measured knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome scores. The majority of patients experienced the most results after about 12 months following treatment. 

4. Helps Heal Conditions like Plantar Fasciitis & Jumper/Runner’s Knee
In addition to treating knee pain due to osteoarthritis, other studies have found that PRP therapy is beneficial for those with trauma or sports-related knee or leg pains such as  “refractory jumper’s knee” and plantar fasciitis (a common injury caused by running).

One study involving 15 patients who had failed previous nonsurgical or surgical treatments found that PRP injections given on three occasions, two weeks apart, combined with standard physical therapy resulted in 70–80 percent symptom improvements! Seven out of nine patients with plantar fasciitis in one study reported “complete pain relief” at the one year follow-up and some patients had full recovery in half the expected time. 

5. Reduces Lower Back Pain
PRP is commonly used to treat chronic low back pain, and 2015 report published in Epoch Times even found that treatments could cure cases that were previously very difficult to treat. Following treatment up to 90–100 percent symptom improvement was achieved in some patients! Around 60 percent of patients experienced significant improvements in measures of pain, posture and stability. 

Research shows that a high percentage of chronic low back pain is actually due to torn or bulging discs, musculoskeletal compensations, ligamentous instability and poor postural alignment. These damage tissue over time and often cause injuries or pain to spread to other body parts (such as down the legs from the lower back). Some of the ways PRP can reduce low back pain include treating structural ligaments (such as iliolumbar, sacroiliac, lumbosacral and supraspinous ligaments) and, therefore, improving stability and dispersion of weight.

Who can benefit from PRP therapy the most? PRP is most useful for anyone with:

Arthritis or osteoarthritis, especially those with degenerative knee cartilage
A torn ligament or ligament sprains
Tendonitis or tendon injuries
A bulging or herniated disc
Injuries due to sports or exercising (such “tennis elbow,” plantar fasciitis in runners, or common injuries affecting the rotator cuff)
Sacroiliac problems
Sciatica/sciatic nerve pain
Common hand injuries experienced by younger and middle-aged adults, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, Skier’s or “Gamekeepers” thumb and “Texting thumb”
Chronic pain in any susceptible area such as the neck, lower back, knees or shoulders
Instability, loss of balance, stiffness and loss of flexibility/range of motion
Sinus lift augmentation