| Are you tired of feeling tired? Are you unable to | | | | essentiality and rely on tools like the Food Guide |
| tap into a reservoir of energy when needed? | | | | Pyramid to generalize their recommendations to |
| Fatigue can be the culprit, and for millions of | | | | patients. Unfortunately, general broad spectrum |
| people, its effects can be debilitating. The cause | | | | recommendations do not account for individual |
| of fatigue is multi factorial. Lack of exercise and | | | | variability and can actually make the situation |
| improper diet play the largest role for most;1 | | | | worse. For example, eating 8-10 servings of |
| however, there can be underlying contributing | | | | whole grains can cause severe illness in an |
| issues as well. Simple laboratory testing can | | | | individual who is gluten intolerant. Another example |
| discover a number of potential causes for fatigue: | | | | is sun avoidance to reduce the risk of skin cancer: |
| Thyroid deficiency, anemia, liver dysfunction, | | | | Some individuals have genetic variations that do |
| viruses, etc can all contribute to the problem. But | | | | not allow them to metabolize vitamin D as well as |
| what do you do when your doctor runs all of | | | | others. Sun light avoidance in these individual can |
| these tests and they come back normal. This is | | | | actually increase the risk for cancer. |
| too often the case for fatigue sufferers. Many | | | | Finding a doctor who practices functional medicine |
| doctors cite depression and try to prescribe | | | | is critical if you want to address the underlying |
| medication despite adequate proof to do so. Many | | | | causes of fatigue. The doctor should be willing to |
| doctors simply refer the patient out to a | | | | spend enough time with you to adequately assess |
| psychiatrist. The bottom line is that fatigue | | | | your problems. Less than 40 minutes of face time |
| sufferers are often left with unacceptable choices | | | | with the doctor is inadequate to perform a |
| that don't address the root of the problem. | | | | complete history and physical examination. |
| To determine the cause and best treatment for | | | | Laboratory testing should focus on identifying |
| fatigue, all of the factors causing the fatigue must | | | | genetic variability and functional parameters based |
| be identified.2 Underlying factors that contribute to | | | | on the uniqueness or the individual not just the |
| fatigue should be evaluated and treated when | | | | condition. Additionally, the doctor should practice |
| possible. Common contributing factors include: | | | | what they preach. How can you expect someone |
| anemia, stress, eating an improper diet, poor sleep | | | | in poor health to give good health advice? |
| habits, excessive caffeine and sugar intake, | | | | References: |
| chronic pain, dehydration, side effects from | | | | 1. Eur J Neurosci. 2008 Jul;28(2):379-88. The |
| medications, nutritional deficiencies, lack of | | | | top-down influence of ergogenic placebos on |
| exercise, and abusive relationships. | | | | muscle work and fatigue. Pollo A, Carlino E, |
| Nearly 20% of all patients who seek a physician's | | | | Benedetti F |
| assistance in treating a health concern include | | | | 2. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2008 Aug 13. A |
| fatigue as a symptom relative to their affliction.5 | | | | systematic comparison of fatigue levels in |
| As with most physical and emotional conditions, | | | | systemic sclerosis with general population, cancer |
| medications are commonly prescribed by doctors | | | | and rheumatic disease samples. |
| to treat symptoms of a condition rather than | | | | 3. BMC Health Serv Res. 2008 Aug 13;8(1):175. |
| addressing the underlying cause. Many prescription | | | | Implementing cognitive behavior therapy for |
| and over the counter medications can have side | | | | chronic fatigue syndrome in mental health care: a |
| effects that contribute to fatigue. Some | | | | costs and outcomes analysis. |
| medicines deplete vitamins and minerals necessary | | | | 4. Heart Advis. 2008 Apr;11(4):3 Exercise |
| for the body to make energy. Some medications | | | | strengthens muscles weakened by heart failure. |
| affect the liver and kidneys and indirectly | | | | Increase your stamina and reduce fatigue with a |
| contribute to fatigue. One of the most common | | | | customized program of aerobic exercise and |
| side effects of medication use is fatigue. This is a | | | | strength training. |
| big problem because according to an Associated | | | | 5. Sangyo Eiseigaku Zasshi. 2008 Aug 8. |
| Press Report from May of 2008, half of all | | | | Characteristic Patterns of Fatigue Feelings on four |
| Americans are taking prescription medications. | | | | Simulated Consecutive Night Shifts by "Jikaku-sho |
| To maintain functional health, the body requires | | | | shirabe" |
| essential nutrients, sun light, clean air, exercise, | | | | 6. J Clin Oncol. 2008 Aug 10;26(23):3886-95. |
| and emotional stability and support. Most doctors | | | | Evidence-based recommendations for cancer |
| do not take the time to assess these areas of | | | | fatigue, anorexia, depression, and dyspnea. |