| While we all go through moments of feeling tired | | | | You should see your doctor when enough sleep, |
| and burnt out, chronic fatigue seems to be the | | | | good nutrition or low-stress environments do not |
| new "21st Century illness" and low vitality the | | | | relieve fatigue. |
| bane of our daily experience. Chronic fatigue is | | | | Treating Lethargy |
| often linked to high stress levels, unhealthy diets | | | | It is not good to treat lethargy with caffeine, |
| and environmental pollution, which affect our | | | | drug, or vitamins without a medical evaluation. |
| sleeping habits or patterns. Getting good sleep the | | | | Taking barbiturates is problematic because, |
| natural way is a luxury that most stressed people | | | | depending on the dosage, they have several |
| dream of having. Sadly, popping barbiturates and | | | | effects on the behaviour. |
| other sleep-inducing pills has become the norm. | | | | In low doses, barbiturates reduce anxiety; reduce |
| We all work so hard that we neglect or don't | | | | respiration, reduce blood pressure, reduce heart |
| take good care of our health. For instance, we | | | | rate and reduce Rapid Eye Movement sleep. |
| grab whatever is the quickest and easiest form | | | | In higher doses, barbiturates can actually increase |
| of food, not paying any attention to the nutritional | | | | some types of behaviour and act like a stimulant. |
| value of our meals. Our health is not our priority. | | | | A major problem with barbiturates is that they |
| The degree of fatigue varies from person to | | | | may lead to tolerance and dependence. |
| person, from those who do not have enough | | | | Tolerance occurs when a greater and greater |
| energy to accomplish the daily tasks, to those | | | | amount of the drug is required to get the desired |
| who are rendered almost helpless from | | | | effect. For example, if barbiturates are used to |
| exhaustion. Modern diets, environmental pollution, | | | | help a person sleep, over time, a greater dose will |
| the use alcohol etc. all take their toll on liver | | | | be needed to get the person to sleep. |
| functions and on the healthy functions of the | | | | Alternative Treatments |
| system of the body thus affecting our sleep. | | | | Always ask a herbal care practitioner for advice |
| Environmental toxins and allergies, stress, sleep | | | | before taking herbal supplements etc. Having said |
| disorders, food allergies, to mention a few, are | | | | that, stimulating herbs such as ginger, ginkgo |
| also some of the causes of unbroken cycle of | | | | biloba, licorice root and Siberian ginseng can |
| fatigue. However, some of us may have inherited | | | | improve vitality and energy. Try passion flower or |
| a weaker constitution from our parents or from | | | | valerian root, which both have a calming effect on |
| early childhood traumas that can also effect | | | | the central nervous system, for anxiety, |
| fatigue. Usually it takes us quite a while to develop | | | | moodiness and insomnia. |
| fatigue and, likewise, it will take us a while to build | | | | For vitamins, |
| our energy reserves back up. | | | | - VITAMIN B COMPLEX : |
| What is Lethargy? | | | | Depression and fatigue can result from the body's |
| Lethargy is a fairly imprecise description of the | | | | depletion of B vitamins that can occur from |
| feeling of slowness, sluggishness, tiredness or lack | | | | stress or drinking too much of caffein-rich |
| of energy. In its common usage, it may mean | | | | beverage. The 11 factors of B complex are crucial |
| fatigue, malaise, weakness, drowsiness and | | | | to glucose metabolism, stabilization of brain |
| listlessness. Nevertheless, any type of lethargy | | | | chemistry and acivation of estrogens, which |
| symptom can indicate a serious medical condition | | | | regulate the body's levels of energy and vitality. |
| and needs prompt medical investigation. | | | | - VITAMIN C |
| Symptoms of lethargy may include: tiredness | | | | It helps prevent fatigue linked to infections by |
| when waking up in the morning; difficulty doing | | | | stimulating the production of interferon, a chemical |
| simple tasks and concentrating; multiple aches and | | | | that can limit the spread of viruses. Also helps |
| pains; changes in appetite and bowel patterns; and | | | | fight bacterial and fungal infections by maintaining |
| sleep disturbances. | | | | healthy antibody production and white blood cells. |
| Fatigue can also accompany the following illnesses | | | | - VITAMIN E |
| : | | | | Has a significant immune stimulation effect and, at |
| - infections like bacterial endocarditis | | | | high levels, can enhance immune anti-body |
| - parasitic infections, tuberculosis | | | | response. |
| - heart failure | | | | - ZINC |
| - diabetes | | | | Is an immune stimulant; improves muscle strength |
| - thyroid disorder | | | | and endurance. |
| - chronic liver or kidney diseases | | | | - MAGNESIUM AND MALIC ACID |
| - anorexia nervosa or other eating disorders | | | | Important for the production of ATP, the body's |
| - arthritis including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis | | | | energy source. Magnesium is also important for |
| - auto-immune diseases such as lupus | | | | women who may develop a deficiency from |
| - malnutrition | | | | chronic yeast infections. |
| - cancer | | | | - POTASSIUM |
| Lethargy and fatigue can be a normal and | | | | The right amount enhances energy and vitality |
| important response to physical exertion, emotional | | | | while deficiency leads to fatigue and muscle |
| stress, boredom or lack of sleep. However, it can | | | | weakness. |
| also be a non-specific sign of a more serious | | | | - CALCIUM |
| psychological or physical disorder, which, being a | | | | Combats stress, nervous tension and anxiety. |
| common complaint, can be overlooked at times. | | | | |