Understanding Adrenal Fatigue Face: Signs of Adrenal Burnout

Adrenal fatigue isn’t an official diagnosis but a series of symptoms commonly associated with strained adrenal glands, including adrenal fatigue face, hair loss, tiredness, and mood changes.

The term adrenal fatigue is often mistakenly used interchangeably with recognized medical conditions, such as Addison’s disease, characterized by impaired adrenal function. 

Discover the causes and signs of adrenal burnout and learn how to support adrenal health naturally.

What is adrenal fatigue?

The adrenal glands are small, triangular organs located on top of the kidneys. They’re a vital part of the endocrine system, as they produce various steroid and sex hormones, including adrenaline, norepinephrine, cortisol, androgens, and estrogen. 

These hormones help regulate critical physiological functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, metabolic processes, immune defenses, and the body’s stress response, which is also known as fight-or-flight mode.

Adrenal fatigue, or adrenal burnout, is a subclinical condition and term coined by Doctor James L. Wilson in 1998. 

Wilson recognized that suboptimal adrenal function can occur before it progresses into medically recognized adrenal gland disorders, including adrenal insufficiency, Addison’s disease, and Cushing syndrome. 

Addison’s disease is a rare chronic condition that occurs when the adrenal glands produce insufficient cortisol and aldosterone, a hormone crucial for the regulation of sodium and potassium levels in the blood. 

Adrenal insufficiency is often the result of adrenal gland damage caused by an autoimmune response in which the body mistakenly attacks its own tissues.

Contrarily, Cushing syndrome is characterized by excessive cortisol production, typically due to the body overproducing stress hormones or adrenal and pituitary tumors. 

Cortisol-like glucocorticoid medications used to treat inflammatory conditions, including asthma, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and rheumatoid arthritis, may also contribute to Cushing syndrome.

Watch the video below to learn more about the causes and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency.

What causes adrenal fatigue?

Adrenal fatigue is theorized to be an early or mild form of Addison’s disease caused by chronic stress. 

During periods of persistent stress, the adrenal glands produce hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline to mobilize the body’s energy reserve to fight or flee from the perceived danger.  

The concept of adrenal fatigue suggests that modern psychological stressors, such as work, relationships, and responsibilities, impair the body's ability to use stress hormones as effectively as it would in response to physical dangers.

This keeps the adrenal glands in a constant state of overdrive, continually producing stress hormones without sufficient recovery time. 

Over time, this chronic demand may exhaust the adrenal glands, leading to a reduced ability to produce adequate amounts of cortisol and other vital hormones.

Adrenal fatigue face explained

Adrenal fatigue face refers to visible signs of prolonged stress and hormonal imbalance that are often associated with adrenal fatigue.

Common symptoms associated with adrenal fatigue face include:

• Dark patches on lips and gums

• Black freckles 

• Vitiligo 

• Facial redness

• Acne

• Puffiness

• Dark circles under the eyes

• Dry skin

• Pallor or dullness

• Signs of premature aging 

In a state of adrenal fatigue, facial changes are thought to be linked to the dysfunction of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands, which together form the HPA axis.

Under chronic stress, the hypothalamus increases production of proopiomelanocortin, which is converted into adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH). ACTH stimulates the adrenal glands to release cortisol, while MSH triggers melanin production, affecting skin pigmentation.

When adrenal function is compromised by prolonged stress, the HPA axis may overcompensate by increasing proopiomelanocortin production. This can lead to higher melanin levels, causing dark patches or skin discoloration.

In addition, facial signs of adrenal fatigue often include dark circles or puffiness under the eyes. These symptoms are typically due to inadequate sleep and elevated cortisol levels, which disrupt the body's natural sleep-wake cycle and lead to poor skin repair during sleep.

Prolonged stress can also reduce collagen production, resulting in fine lines, wrinkles, and early signs of aging.

Furthermore, persistent stress is a leading cause of chronic inflammation that may contribute to various skin issues, such as acne or facial redness, further contributing to the phenomenon of adrenal fatigue face. 

Other signs of adrenal fatigue

Symptoms of adrenal fatigue face are often used to identify sluggish adrenal function. 

However, functional medicine practitioners also associate various other seemingly unrelated symptoms with adrenal fatigue.

Other potential signs of adrenal burnout include:

• Insomnia or sleep disturbances

• Sugar and salt cravings

• Chronic fatigue

• Weakness

• Hair loss

• Mood changes

• Weight gain or weight loss

• Digestive problems

• Belly fat

• Depression and anxiety

• Poor immune system function

• Body aches

Because adrenal fatigue isn’t classified as a formal medical diagnosis, it can be difficult to pinpoint, and many healthcare providers may not recognize it as a valid condition. 

Instead, a comprehensive evaluation of symptoms and hormonal levels is necessary to better understand an individual's adrenal health and to rule out other potential underlying issues.

How to support adrenal health

Adrenal health conditions such as Addison’s or Cushing’s disease require medical treatment and are conventionally managed with hormone replacement therapy.

However, various dietary and lifestyle changes may improve adrenal function without prescription medications, which may be especially beneficial for individuals who experience adrenal fatigue symptoms.

Here are three ways to support adrenal health naturally.

1. Follow a nutrient-dense ketogenic diet

In addition to environmental and emotional stressors, a high-carb diet may also contribute to adrenal burnout. 

Carbs and sugars lead to blood sugar fluctuations, which trigger the release of stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, to raise glucose levels back to normal. 

This constant cycle of blood sugar highs and lows can place additional strain on the adrenal glands, leading to fatigue and reduced hormonal efficiency.

A nutritious low-carb diet such as Healthy Keto® emphasizes non-starchy vegetables, high-quality proteins, and healthy fats to maintain stable blood sugar levels, promoting adrenal health and overall well-being.

In addition, fat plays an essential role in hormone production as healthy fat intake provides the adrenal glands with cholesterol and fatty acids needed to synthesize and balance cortisol levels. 

Additionally, Healthy Keto focuses on grass-fed and wild-caught meats, which can help optimize adrenal function by replenishing proteins and amino acids that are depleted due to stress-related cortisol release.

This has been confirmed by a study published in Frontiers in Physiology, stating that “Cortisol results in the breakdown of contractile protein and the mobilization of amino acids.”

2. Nourish your adrenal glands

Optimal adrenal function requires adequate nutrients to support hormone production, regulate stress responses, and maintain overall health.

The adrenal glands contain one of the highest concentrations of vitamin C in the body. This critical antioxidant nutrient has been found to play a vital role in the production of adrenal hormones, particularly cortisol. 

Vitamin D3 is another essential nutrient for optimal adrenal function, as it has been found to reduce circulating cortisol levels, which helps mitigate the effects of chronic stress on the body. 

Adequate levels of vitamin D3 also support immune function and promote overall hormonal balance, further aiding adrenal health.

In addition, thiamin, widely known as vitamin B1, is crucial for supporting the nervous system and mood regulation. Chronic stress can deplete vitamin B1, making it especially important for individuals who show signs of adrenal fatigue. 

3. Manage stress

Stress is the leading cause of adrenal fatigue and can contribute to several health problems, including high blood pressure and inflammation. Chronic stress has also been shown to damage organs, including those belonging to the endocrine system. 

A study published in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism found that long-term exposure to stress can lead to endocrine disorders and worsen existing conditions. This highlights the importance of managing stress to maintain adrenal health and overall well-being.

Utilizing stress management techniques such as regular exercise, deep breathing, and getting adequate sleep can help naturally lower cortisol and relieve stress. 

“Long walks in nature without distractions is one of the best ways to relieve stress,” explains Dr. Berg. “Aim for at least one hour of light exercise or walking outside daily to help lower cortisol and support adrenal health.” 

Key takeaways

While adrenal fatigue face isn’t an official diagnosis, it can manifest alongside other symptoms of adrenal burnout, such as exhaustion, weakness, and distinct facial features. 

These facial symptoms can include discoloration, puffiness, dark circles under the eyes, and inflammation, all of which potentially indicate overworked and strained adrenal glands.

Adopting a Healthy Keto diet, incorporating stress reduction techniques, and nourishing the adrenal glands with vitamins B1, C, and D3 is an excellent strategy for balancing stress hormone production and promoting adrenal health.

FAQ

1. What is adrenal fatigue face?

Adrenal fatigue face refers to a distinct set of facial features associated with adrenal insufficiency. These signs can include skin redness, acne, puffiness, skin discoloration, and dark circles under the eyes. 

2. What are weird symptoms of adrenal fatigue?

Unusual adrenal disorder symptoms include bruising, stretch marks, sugar and salt cravings, and a round or full face. Facial problems, such as acne, sagging skin, and premature aging, are also common symptoms of adrenal fatigue. 

3. What does an adrenal fatigue crash feel like?

Adrenal fatigue is sometimes referred to as an adrenal crash and can cause symptoms such as long-term exhaustion, mood swings, and weakness. 

However, an adrenal crash isn’t an official diagnosis and shouldn’t be confused with an adrenal crisis, which is a life-threatening condition caused by injury or infection of the adrenal glands. 

4. What can I do for adrenal fatigue?

Following a nutritious low-carb diet like Healthy Keto®, getting regular exercise and quality sleep, and reducing stress can help support adrenal function. 

In addition, vitamins B1, C, and D3 are essential for optimal adrenal function, highlighting the importance of a varied and nutrient-dense diet in combination with adequate sunlight exposure. 

Sources

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4315033/ 

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3079864/