Hypocortisolism - Ayurvedic Treatments And Symptoms

Hypocortisolism or Addison disease is an endocrine disorder in which adrenal glands fail to produce a sufficient level of steroid hormones, mostly cortisol and to a certain degree aldosterone. This disease is dreadful and affects people of all age groups. Thus hypocortisolism is known as the adrenal deficiency.

The adrenal glands are situated just above our kidneys and help to maintain body functioning by forming some necessary hormones. When these glands fail to produce the appropriate amount of “Cortisol” and “Aldosterone” hormones, then the situation occurs. The adrenal cortex is also responsible for producing sex hormones “androgens”. Cortisol hormone aids in body response to stress, and maintaining blood pressure, blood sugar levels, healthy heart and strong immunity whereas Aldosterone helps in regulating the level of sodium and potassium and the fluid that is excreted by the kidneys in the form of urine.

According to Ayurveda Hypocortisolism is Vata Kaphaja disease with the dominance of Vata. In Ayurveda, prana Vata is considered responsible for Secondary Hypocortisolism. The insufficiency of Adrenocorticotropic hormones (ACTH) by disturbed functioning of pituitary due to imbalance of prana Vata. So Ayurveda recommends some of the treatments and herbal remedies to control the symptoms of Hypocortisolism.

Types Of Adrenal Insufficiency

There are two types of Adrenal insufficiency, one is Primary and the other is Secondary

• Primary Adrenal insufficiency

  Primary adrenal insufficiency is when your adrenal glands are damaged and can't make the cortisol you need. Primary adrenal insufficiency is most often caused when your immune system attacks your healthy adrenal glands by mistake. Other causes may include Cancer and Fungal infections.

• Secondary Adrenocortical Insufficiency

  It is a condition in which a lack of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) prevents the body from producing enough cortisol. The main causes are the intake of certain drugs for the treatment of some chronic conditions like Arthritis, Asthma, etc.

Symptoms Of Hypocortisolism

Some of the symptoms of Hypocortisolism are the following

• Weakness in muscles.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Low Blood Pressure.
• Sudden weight loss and decreased appetite.
• Depression or irritation.
• Low in energy.
• Sleeping disorders.
• Loss of consciousness.
• Restlessness, fear, and confusion.
• Hallucinations.
• Darkening of skin on elbows, knees, knuckles, and toes.
• Hyperpigmentation and Tanning of skin.
• Heart palpitations.
• Joint or muscle pain.
• Blurry vision.

Causes Of Hypocortisolism

Some of the major causes are as follows

• Genetically acquired.
• Tuberculosis.
• Hemorrhage.
• Adrenalectomy.
• Amyloidosis.
• Fungal infection or other infections in adrenal glands.
• Tumor or cancer in glands.
• Bleeding into the adrenal glands.

Ayurvedic Treatments For Hypocortisolism

Ayurveda suggests that to cure the symptoms of hypocortisolism it is also important to balance Vata, which governs the nervous and endocrine systems and is invariably provoked by our fast-paced, stress-filled lives.

The following are Ayurveda’s most potent practices for supporting adrenal and hormonal imbalances.

• Pranayama

  Prana means life force or breath sustaining the body. It infuses every cell and tissue throughout our bodies and is carried on and stimulated by the breath.

• Pranayama is the yogic practice of working with the breath in ways that activate and move this life-force energy in specific ways while bathing our tissues in fresh prana. Pranayama helps restore fluidity and vitality to the exact energy channels of the body while digesting and eliminating stagnation and ama.
• Nadi Shodhana

  Nadi Shodhana, also known as Alternate Nostril Breathing, can have a profound impact on your body, mind, and nervous system. This activates, cleanses, and brings balance to the masculine and feminine channels of the subtle body. These channels are directly related to the same dualistic energies activated by different hormones in the body, so hormone imbalances almost always reflect an excess or deficiency in either solar or lunar energies and sometimes both. This practice also serves to clear accumulated tension, relieve stress, and support an improved mental disposition in the face of day-to-day stressors.

• Bhramari

  It is also known as Humming Bee Breath, and calms and quiets the mind, soothes the nerves, eases feelings of stress and anxiousness, dissipates anger, and releases cerebral tension. It stimulates the pineal and pituitary glands, which have a powerful influence on the entire endocrine system, and helps to secrete hormones throughout the body.

• Bhramari also supports sound sleep, which can help ensure that the body’s natural rejuvenating cycles are functioning properly. Bhramari should not be practiced during pregnancy or menstruation.
• Yoga

  Yoga helps to diffuse tension, clears stagnation, and encourages fluidity—both in the tissues as well as in the mental and emotional spheres. Ayurveda offers a holistic approach to yoga that specifically helps balance whichever doshas need the most attention in one’s system.

• Yoga routines centered on restorative and Vata-balancing yoga are usually the most supportive when there is a history of excess stress or adrenal fatigue. Pitta-balancing yoga may also be appropriate when one’s life is characterized by excess work, ambition, and a strong will.
• To help turn off the adrenal glands and calm the mind, practice restorative yoga postures daily in a warm, dark, quiet environment.
• Oil Massage- Abhyanga

  Abhyanga is a massage that's done with warm oil. The oil is applied to the entire body, from the scalp to the soles of your feet. It calms the nervous system, lubricates and rejuvenates the tissues, and promotes healthy circulation throughout the body. . In addition, the oil itself forms a protective sheath around the body that can help buffer the nervous and endocrine systems against stress.

• In the morning, before a shower or bath, massage about 1/2 cup warm organic oil into the skin. This can be done daily, or just once or twice a week.
• Nasya

  Nasya is the practice of applying medicated oil to the nasal passages. Nasya oil is deeply penetrating, delivering potently balancing energies to the cerebral cortex. As a result, this practice calms the mind while soothing the tissues of the nasal passages. It also promotes unobstructed breathing, relieves accumulated stress, and supports mental clarity. Nasya should not be performed by pregnant or menstruating women.

Some of the Ayurvedic treatments that are beneficial for curing the symptoms of hypocortisolism are pranayama, Nadi Shodhana, Bhramari, Yoga, Abhyanga, Nasya, etc.