Tiredness, fatigue, exhaustion – these are some of the most common complaints heard by doctors on a regular basis. Although it seems like it should be easy to resolve, and it is, we first have to identify the cause, and that can take a bit of investigative work.
First, you have to look at your lifestyle: are you getting to bed in time to get adequate sleep? If not, that can be an easy correction. Since sleep deprivation can have profound effects on your life, it is of utmost importance to handle this issue. If you are getting to bed at a decent hour and still not sleeping, see a professional that can help you.
What are your eating habits? Are you eating sufficient foods that are alive and generate energy, or are you eating devitalized, processed foods that steal energy rather than generate it? Are you using consumables to prop you up, like coffee, sugar, alcohol, drugs, or energy drinks that artificially stimulate you, but leave you ultimately in more trouble when they adversely affect your energy mechanisms?
What is your physical activity level? Over-exercising and under-exercising both can contribute to fatigue. How much is enough or too much? Only a professional can delve deep into your current health state to determine that for you.
How about health conditions you may have: Are you on medications that have side-effects of fatigue? If you are reliant on medications for allergies or chronic upper respiratory issues, heart medications, pain killers or antidepressants, the drugs may be the cause of your fatigue. Try acupuncture and other healing arts instead. But don’t stop any medication without the advice of a trained professional.
Many diseases can contribute to fatigue and resolving them may be the solution: Emotional lability such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, grieving, etc. can make you feel tired. Unfortunately, many doctors instead of searching for underlying mechanisms causing fatigue, simply ask a few questions, then say you are depressed and put you on anti-depressants. That’s rarely helpful. Seeking out other causes is much more valuable.
Heart disease, chronic pain, oxygen deprivation, brain trauma, MS, inflammatory bowel diseases, cancer, chronic infections, sleep disorders, thyroid disorders, stress, chronic kidney or liver disease, inflammation, obesity, blood disorders – any of these and more can be the cause of your fatigue. What is the best approach? If you think getting your lab work done, you’re wrong. It is common to be tired and your lab work results show “nothing is wrong”. Don’t take the easy way out. Find out more. Dig deep. Don’t be satisfied with off-the-cuff guess work that results in multiple medications. Digging deeper to find the cause, or more than likely causes, is the only real solution to lasting energy.
©2020 Holly A. Carling, O.M.D., L.Ac., Ph.D.
