Why Are You So Tired?
Lori Horan Soule, N.D., L.Ac.
Do you often find yourself lacking adequate energy most of the time? Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms that motivates people to seek medical care. While the causes of fatigue can be highly individualized, there are a few very basic ways that human metabolism is often obstructed resulting in symptoms of fatigue. Areas that we must consider to correctly diagnose the cause of fatigue are lifestyle factors, digestive health, blood sugar balance, detoxification pathways, and endocrine support. Equally as important is assessing the amount of time spent cultivating nourishing activities or conversely, doing things you don't really want to do.
Lifestyle Factors.
We must always determine whether the body's immediate environment supports health or is antagonistic to it. This includes food choices, smoking, excess alcohol or drug use, or even abrasive relationships. Once identified, steps should be taken to remove the obstacle to health or to mitigate its effects. Are there foods you are eating every day that you could be sensitive or allergic to? Do you exercise adequately? Do you go to bed early enough?
Improve Digestion.
In natural medicine, health and disease begin and end with the health of the gastrointestinal tract. Digestive tract problems contribute to fatigue either by the inferior absorption of nutrients, or a sluggish transit time which eventually pollutes the body with toxins. Inferior absorption leads to nutrient or mineral deficiencies which further promote fatigue. Any digestive irregularities should be assessed for parasites, yeast, food sensitivities, etc., and treated. Restoration of the digestive system to optimal quality is one of the most important contributions to your body's ecosystem.
Blood Sugar Balance.
Excessive refined carbohydrate intake may be one of the causes of fatigue. As many as 75% of Americans have a delayed insulin response, leading to hypoglycemia and eventually, Type II Diabetes. An unbalanced blood sugar curve can cause precipitous drops in available energy supply, and is very erosive to adrenal function.
Detoxification Pathways.
The body comes equipped with very efficient tools to detoxify obstructions to health. After years of destructive lifestyle factors, medications, or harmful environmental chemical exposures, etc., these detoxification pathways can become stressed and ineffective. In the majority of chronic fatigue patients, there is clinical evidence that shows they are deficient in this area. By stimulating and supporting the liver's detoxification pathways, we can support the body's natural cleansing and manufacturing of new bile.
Endocrine Support.
Often fatigue comes on after years of doing more than your body can handle healthfully, which could have depleted adrenal function. The thyroid might have been overcompensating and also become weakened. Adrenal and thyroid function should be assessed to determine if a hormonal imbalance exists. Hormonal or herbal supplementation could be helpful to rehabilitate overused and weakened endocrine glands.
Joy.
How much of your day, week or month are you connected to beauty, fun, and joy? How much of your time do you spend doing things you don't really want to do, while the things you would like to do go unnoticed? When we continually spend our time in activities that don't replenish our spirit, we develop "energy leaks" similar to holes in a bucket of water where all the water is draining out. Assess where your energy is going, and determine if your spirit is being "fed."
If you think you are more tired than you should be, call for an appointment to discuss which of the above factors could be relevant to your life.