Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or shallow breathing during sleep. These
July 9, 2023
Chronic fatigue is a debilitating condition characterized by persistent, unexplained fatigue or tiredness that lasts for at least six months & is not alleviated by rest & cannot be explained by an underlying medical condition.
The fatigue is often accompanied by a range of other symptoms, such as headache, muscle pain, joint pain, difficulty sleeping, and difficulty concentrating.
Chronic fatigue can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life, making it difficult for them to perform everyday tasks or participate in activities they enjoy. The exact cause of chronic fatigue is not fully understood; however, it is believed to be a combination of factors, including viral or bacterial infections, immune system dysfunction, & psychological stress.
Common Causes of Chronic Fatigue
Certain medical conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, Lyme disease, anemia, and autoimmune disorders can cause chronic fatigue.
Sleep disorders like sleep apnea, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, and narcolepsy can cause chronic fatigue.
Depression, anxiety, and stress can cause chronic fatigue.
Poor diet, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol consumption, and drug use can cause chronic fatigue.
Hormonal imbalances such as hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue, and menopause can cause chronic fatigue.
Exposure to toxins, mold, and pollution can cause chronic fatigue.
Certain medications such as antihistamines, antidepressants, and blood pressure medications can cause chronic fatigue.
Signs & Symptoms
• Extreme fatigue that lasts for at least six months and is not relieved by rest.
• Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much.
• Feeling weak or lethargic.
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering.
• Muscle pain or joint pain.
• Headaches.
• Sore throat
• Swollen lymph nodes.
• Dizziness or light-headedness.
• Feeling depressed or anxious.
• Flu-like symptoms that don’t go away.
• Digestive problems, such as bloating, constipation, or diarrhea.
These symptoms may come and go, and they may vary in intensity and duration. It is very common to come across people who experience a variety of issues related to different bodily systems, such as fatigue, pain, mood disturbances, sleep problems, and gastrointestinal issues. The fact is that all these symptoms are interrelated! These symptoms may develop gradually and not be attributed to any specific event.
Treating Chronic Fatigue
Conventional approach
In conventional medicine, the usual approach is to manage the chronic condition with medication.
Symptom management may include the use of medications like painkillers, anti-depressants, anti-seizure drugs, sleeping pills, & muscle relaxants. For example, pain relievers, such as acetaminophen & nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), may be recommended to alleviate muscle & joint pain.
However, these treatments only alleviate symptoms & fail to address the root causes of the problem.
Additionally, long-term use of these medications can cause serious side effects.
Our approach
Our approach to healthcare that seeks to address the underlying causes of your symptoms rather than simply treating the symptoms.
When it comes to chronic fatigue, our approach may involve a more comprehensive evaluation of your health status and lifestyle factors.
Chronic fatigue is often seen as a multi-system dysfunction that can be caused by a wide range of factors, such as poor diet, chronic stress, environmental toxins, hormonal imbalances, and gut microbiome disturbances.
Our Assessment & Evaluation
Chronic fatigue can have various contributing factors. Here are some of the contributing factors that we may consider:
Some infections such as viral illnesses, bacterial infections, and parasitic infections may trigger chronic fatigue syndrome.
Hormonal imbalances, particularly in the thyroid and adrenal glands, can lead to fatigue and exhaustion.
A lack of vital nutrients such as iron, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 can cause fatigue and weakness.
An overactive or underactive immune system can lead to chronic fatigue.
Chronic stress can lead to chronic fatigue by wearing down the body’s resources.
Exposure to toxins such as mold, heavy metals, and pesticides can cause chronic fatigue.
Some individuals may have a genetic predisposition to chronic fatigue.
Poor quality of sleep or insufficient sleep can cause fatigue and exhaustion.
Chronic fatigue can also be triggered or worsened by psychological factors such as depression, anxiety, and stress.
A sedentary lifestyle can lead to muscle weakness and fatigue.
When we conduct a thorough investigation to uncover underlying biochemical imbalances, we often discover that the root causes of fatigue and some other chronic conditions typically follows a similar pattern:
the body is resilient and can handle a certain amount of various stressors, but eventually, it reaches a tipping point. We can visualize this as a cup – let’s call it homeostasis – which can hold a certain amount of stress before it overflows. Over time, the cup fills up with stressors until it eventually reaches its limit and overflows, leading to the onset of symptoms or even clinical disease.
It’s rare for a single factor to be solely responsible for the development of a health condition. More often, it’s the result of several imbalances working together. When we can uncover the underlying causes of a condition, we can then take action to address them and begin the journey towards recovery.
In orthomolecular medicine, the insights we gain are actionable, providing you with the tools and knowledge to take control of your health. We can work to identify and address the factors that caused your cup to overflow, with the goal of restoring balance to your system. By doing so, we can reverse the imbalances and achieve a state of equilibrium once again.
Chronic Fatigue Blogs
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy: Understanding the Symptoms, Causes, and Management Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, sudden and uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep,
July 5, 2023
Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected
July 1, 2023
Understanding Chronic Fatigue
Understanding Chronic Fatigue: Causes, Symptoms, Coping and Management Chronic fatigue is a condition characterized by extreme and persistent tiredness that doesn’t improve with
June 27, 2023