Adrenal fatigue

Is there such a thing as adrenal fatigue?

In Nairobi’s bustling clinics, doctors are seeing more patients reporting symptoms like extreme tiredness, body aches, and sleep problems. Many arrive convinced they have what popular wellness circles call “adrenal fatigue.” The term has gained traction globally and locally, often shared on social media as the hidden culprit behind everyday exhaustion. But here’s the catch: major medical institutions say there is no scientific basis for this condition. That gap between perception and evidence makes adrenal fatigue one of the most controversial health topics today.

So, what exactly does the medical field say?

The idea behind adrenal fatigue is that long-term stress supposedly wears out the adrenal glands, leaving the body unable to produce enough hormones particularly cortisol. Advocates of the concept argue that this explains symptoms like tiredness, low mood, and trouble concentrating. It sounds convincing, especially when stress levels are undeniably high in many African cities where economic pressures, long commutes, and rising healthcare challenges pile up on daily life. Yet despite how relatable this feels, science paints a very different picture.

There’s no clinical evidence that adrenal fatigue exists. The adrenal glands are remarkably resilient and do not simply “burn out” under stress. What doctors do recognize are established adrenal disorders, such as Addison’s disease or adrenal insufficiency, where the glands fail to produce adequate hormones due to measurable medical causes. These conditions can be diagnosed through blood tests and require carefully managed treatment. Adrenal fatigue, by contrast, remains an unproven theory.

This doesn’t mean the symptoms people experience are imaginary. Fatigue, brain fog, and sleep difficulties are real—and they deserve attention. The problem lies in attributing them to a non-recognized diagnosis. Pursuing unproven supplements or “adrenal support” therapies can delay the discovery of true underlying conditions. Thyroid disorders, depression, chronic infections, anemia, and even lifestyle factors like poor diet or lack of exercise are often responsible. Proper medical evaluation ensures nothing serious is overlooked.

For professionals working in healthcare across Africa, the bigger lesson is the importance of balancing patient beliefs with evidence-based medicine. Dismissing concerns outright risks eroding trust, but so does endorsing unsupported treatments. A constructive approach is to validate a patient’s experience of fatigue while guiding them toward comprehensive investigations and healthier stress management strategies. Sleep hygiene, nutrition, exercise, and psychological support remain powerful tools in tackling exhaustion, regardless of whether it has a neat label.

Ultimately, while adrenal fatigue continues to circulate in popular health discussions, science is clear: it’s not a recognized medical condition. What patients need is not a catchy diagnosis but careful evaluation, empathy, and solutions rooted in evidence. Addressing the causes of fatigue requires patience, precision, and partnership between healthcare professionals and those they serve. That’s where the real healing begins.

Published 23rd Oct 2025

References

Share this post:

← Previous Post
Read Other Posts