Adrenal fatigue is a term used to describe a collection of nonspecific symptoms such as body aches, fatigue, nervousness, sleep disturbances and digestive issues. It is thought to occur when the adrenal glands become overtaxed and unable to produce adequate amounts of cortisol and other hormones that regulate stress response and metabolism. Some key things to know about adrenal fatigue: What causes adrenal fatigue? Prolonged or intense physical, emotional or psychological stress is thought to be the primary cause. Things like chronic infections, poor diet, sleep deprivation, overtraining, blood sugar imbalances and nutritional deficiencies may also play a role. What are the symptoms? Symptoms vary but can include fatigue, cravings for salty foods, having trouble getting up in the morning, relying on caffeine/sugar for energy, feeling run down after exercise, getting dizzy when standing up, etc. How is it diagnosed? There are no standard medical tests for adrenal fatigue. Doctors may run tests to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms. Looking at lifestyle factors and symptoms together, a doctor may then determine if adrenal fatigue could be the underlying cause. How is it treated?