while some folks think it's bs, the world health organization is officially recognizing a new stress disorder called "21st century syndrome" or adrenal fatigue. what are the symptoms, other than being alive in the 21st century? fatigue, irritability, light-headedness, low libido, problems concentrating, digestion problems, excessive salt cravings, and increased susceptibility to coughs and colds. sadly, this disorder is being called just another side effect of modern living. womp womp.
adrenal fatigue, which affects more women than men, is caused when our adrenal glands get way overworked. the adrenals are intended to release high levels of the hormone cortisol only during short-term periods of high stress. as in, "help! i'm being chased by a bear!" but our modern lifestyles are necessitating more and more cortisol output just to keep up-as in, "my crazy boss wants this report done in ten minutes, my bf is being a jerk, and i'm late on the rent!"-causing the poor, little, walnut-sized glands to burn out.
while sufferers may not have obvious signs of physical illness, they go through their days with chronic stress and fatigue. predictably, sufferers tend to consume coffee or other stimulants to get them through the day. ummm … sounds a little bit familiar, huh? we'll be hearing a lot more about "21st century syndrome" as reported cases have skyrocketed since the economy hit the skids. it is estimated that about one-third of people have some form of adrenal fatigue. whoa! that's like one out of the three people sitting in your cubicle section. if i had any energy left, i would advocate work reform. fridays off! three months of vacation! but i'm too tired and irritable to care. i think it's time for another cup of coffee and some potato chips.
人们并不认为"21世纪综合症"是一种病，而世界卫生组织正式认识了一种新的心理压力障碍症--肾上腺疲劳症，称为"二十一世纪综合症".除了生活在二十一世纪还有一些其他症状：疲劳，易怒，头晕，性欲降低，注意力分散，消化不良，偏爱过咸食物，动辄感冒咳嗽等。可悲的是，这种症状被称为现代生活的又一副作用。真令人感叹！
女性比男性更容易患这疲劳症，肾上腺超负荷工作就会引发此症。只有短期内高度紧张才会使肾上腺大量分泌皮质醇，如当一只熊追你的时候。但是现代生活方式迫使肾上腺分泌更多皮质醇，只是为了这些--你听："我老板真是要疯！要我10分钟内写完这份报告！" "我男朋友真是个棒槌！"或者"房租还没交呢！".就这样，使那桃核般小小的腺体可怜巴巴地失去活力。
这肾上腺疲劳症状也许并没有呈明显病态，但是它这样超负荷工作会带来长期的压力和疲劳。我可以推测，患者常常会利用咖啡等刺激性饮料来提神。嗯……听起来很耳熟，对吧？关于"二十一世纪综合症"我们听到的将会越来越多，正如报告中所说的那样，自从经济走了下坡路，患者人数就开始飙升。据估计有近三分之一的人患有不同程度的肾上腺疲劳症。哇！那就是说你们办公室每三个人里面就有一个是患者耶！如果有剩余精力的话，会倡导一场工作变革，周五也休息！假期三个月！但我太累了，也太暴躁，才懒得管呢！不行了，我得再来杯咖啡提提神……
