People often ask me what they can do about their fatigue. It is a big problem for lots of folks and it seems like it should be an easy problem to fix since it generally is not a diagnosed condition.
But I it were so easy to fix, then why do so many people suffer from it?
There isn’t a pharmaceutical solution for fatigue. And maybe that is actually the good news!
I wish there was a 10 second answer to the question, but there isn’t. Boy, if there was I would probably be a billionaire! Instead of being able to give you a stock, off the shelf, one-size-fits-all kind of answer, you and I have to dig a little deeper.
What’s at the Root of Your Fatigue?
There are many possible causes of fatigue. So, to get to the root of YOUR fatigue, let’s consider when you feel the most fatigued. And we also want to consider what is going on in your life, from a health and lifestyle perspective.
You might need to make some notes or keep a little journal to help narrow down the possibilities. Consider these questions to help elevate your awareness to possible correlations:
- Sleep (hey, let’s start with the obvious, right?)
- Are you sleeping well?
- Do you get enough sleep?
- Do you have a regular sleep routine?
- Is your sleep interrupted?
- Is your fatigue worse in the morning? Or later in the afternoon? Or are you dragging all day long?
- Are there times when you DON’T feel fatigued?
- Do you ever eat or drink something in an effort to feel energized?
- If you do, what do you choose?
- Do you experience fatigue shortly after eating? Or perhaps an hour or so later?
- Do you eat a balanced diet?
- Could you have some micronutrient or macronutrient deficiencies?
- Are you under a lot of stress?
- Is this new, or are you experiencing chronic stress?
- When you are stressed, does your fatigue feel worse?
- Have you had any changes in your life recently?
- Are you seeing a physician for any known health issues?
- Do you have any known digestive issues?
- Do you have hormonal imbalances?
- Do you take medication?
- Do you have chronic pain?
- Have you been told you have chronic inflammation?
There are so many avenues to explore when working to resolve fatigue. These are just a few questions I’ll ask when you come in the office.
You can see from the list, that some causes of fatigue may be nutritionally based. Other things can result in fatigue as well. Often lingering fatigue is best handled from a multi-faceted approach.
Of course, as a Functional Nutritionist, I can help you to ensure your dietary intake is not the culprit—and if it is, we can figure out how to resolve that.
Beyond the nutrition approach, I collaborate with a doctor of oriental medicine, Dr. Heidi Golding. She and I work closely on difficult cases to bring a fully integrative approach to your health.
While fatigue is common, you don’t have to suffer. We can get to the root cause of your fatigue and bring you lasting relief.
