FEELING FATIGUED?

      A complaint I hear fairly often in my practice is feeling fatigued.  If you are among those who are "sick and tired of feeling sick and tired", it's time to get some help.  If you are experiencing severe and frequent fatigue, the first step is making an appointment with your medical doctor.  It's likely that you will need a complete medical workup which will include specific tests because fatigue can be caused by hundreds of medical disorders.  Among these are such issues as anemia, diabetes, hepatitis and other liver disorders, infectious mononucleosis, lupus, Lyme disease, rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid deficiency. Blood work may also identify problems with muscle chemistry, low magnesium, or inflamation  An infection such as chronic sinusitis could also be an underlying reason for fatigue. If a health issue is identified, it may be medically treated to address your fatigue.  But if your doctor cannot identify a specific underlying cause for your fatigue, your medical treatment options are limited.  Your physician will likely advise you to get more and/or improved sleep and exercise more.

     Psychological conditions such as stress or depression may also be the underlying issue in dealing with fatigue. Your energy may be drained by stress.  So many people only think of major stressors such as a death in the family or losing a job.  But dealing with heavy traffic every day on your commute or feeling anxious about a project at work may leaving you feeling exhausted. One of the most overlooked causes of fatigue is depression.  Your medical doctor may treat  these issues with stress-management programs or antidepressants or recommend psychotherapy.

     There are other things you can do to deal with fatigue.  Drink more water to flush out toxins, eat small meals and protein rich foods that provide a steady source of energy.  An herb used by athletes to improve stamina is ginseng.  Many patients have found that the American form of ginseng with at least 5% ginsenosides is of value in dealing with fatigue.  Three nutrients you might find of value are L-carnitine, coenzyme Q10 and magnesium. A daily B-complex vitamin supplement provides energy as well. Consume alcohol in moderation and eliminate caffeine from your diet. 

    Hypnotherapy can be a valuable tool in dealing with fatigue.  It can be used to deal with insomnia and help you establish good sleeping habits.  It can be used to reinforce good habits like drinking more water, eating well and exercising more.  Don't give up.  It's time to get rid of fatigue and feel energized.