Beware! There is an epidemic that is sweeping this country and leaving in it’s wake poor work performance, loss of the simple pleasures in life, lack of ability to exercise, kids who can’t sit still and repeatedly get into trouble, poor ability to cope, difficulty parenting, troubled homes and even loss of life. What is this epidemic and what can we do about it?
It is fatigue and low energy. The number one complaint I hear when a new patient comes in to see me is that of fatigue and it’s cousins- “No zip”. “No get-up-and-go”. “No motivation”. “Tired”. “Exhausted”. “Worn out”. “Lethargic”.
This epidemic permeates all areas of life. It has come slowly over the years, and is definitely progressing. The causes of fatigue or low energy are multiple. Most have a combination of issues that add up and finally manifest as fatigue. It can be serious or simple. The treatments vary about as much as the causes do.
Around 20% of auto accidents involve fatigue and many airplane crashes have been attributed to pilot fatigue. According to one authority 422 per 100,000 persons in the United States suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which is an extreme form of fatigue. This translates into about 800,000 people nationwide.
As stated above, the causes of fatigue vary widely. Sleep deprivation and anemia are obvious causes. Pain that is unrelenting is exhaustive and many different medical conditions can be as well. Under-active thyroid or under-active adrenals can cause fatigue, even when they do not show up in lab tests. Use of alcohol, illegal drugs and many medications have side effects of fatigue. Depression, grief, anxiety and overwhelm often manifest as fatigue. Certain illnesses such as: chronic infection (bacterial or viral), parasites, congestive heart failure, diabetes, autoimmune diseases such as lupus, arthritis, liver or kidney disease, anorexia or eating disorders, malnutrition, and cancer also have associated fatigue.
There are several effective remedies for fatigue and low energy. First, an exhaustive inquiry into the personal health and medical history, examination and testing is an essential must. There are many tests other than blood tests that can help identify the cause of fatigue. These are done by doctors specializing in the natural healing arts. When the underlying causative factor is addressed the fatigue disappears. As obvious as that sounds, what people reach for instead is counter-productive.
Coffee, energy drinks and sugar are often used to stimulate energy. They tend to do the job, temporarily however, they actually make the problem worse. These stimulants give a false sense of energy which quickly deepens the spiral of fatigue and makes it more difficult to overcome it.
Stress, long associated with fatigue is another significant causative factor. Techniques to help eliminate stress are often helpful. Going to bed early and regularly can help. Exercising on a regular basis is essential. Learning to relax, changing your stressful circumstances, maintaining a reasonable schedule are all recommended and helpful hints. The problem is, what if you don’t have the energy to do those things?
That’s when you need to call a professional. Nourishing your body with quality supplements made out of food (what a concept!) and not made with synthetic chemicals is definitely helpful. Taking the proper herbs for the condition is also proven effective. Make sure you take therapeutic doses, and know what you’re needing. Just reaching for something recommended by someone who knows nothing about your health or medical history isn’t always wise. Know what you’re doing, or better yet, see a professional who does.
Acupuncture is another very effective way of eliminating the cause of fatigue. Acupuncture, which utilizes very fine, hair-like needles has been around for thousands of years – why? Because it works! Most patients who are treated with acupuncture notice a difference in their energy level after only the first one or two visits.
© 2006 Holly A. Carling, O.M.D., L.Ac., Ph.D
