Fatigue

  Fatigue makes people unnecessarily uncomfortable, unhappy, and unproductive. It is one of the most common complaints we hear, yet it should not be accepted as normal, at any age.

   Fatigue takes many forms – mental, physical, and chemical. People who can’t seem to get their brains (this is usually NOT psychological) and/or their bodies in gear usually have both physical and chemical imbalances. Fortunately, most of these are correctable.

Common cause of fatigue:

1. Dehydration is one of the most common causes of fatigue. Drinking more water is the simple solution to this problem. Most people need to drink a minimum of five or six 8 oz. glasses of water between meals, not with meals. Other liquids such as juice, coffee, or tea may NOT be substituted for water, as all other liquids are processed differently.
2. Oxygen/carbon dioxide regulation is another common reason for fatigue. Although this takes place in the lungs, there are many areas of the body which have a greater influence on oxygen and carbon dioxide and thus upon the energy level of the body.

a. The diaphragm or breathing muscle is one of the more important areas of oxygen/carbon dioxide regulation, as it is the reason air is brought in and pushed out of the lungs.

 Most people seem to ignore the diaphragm muscle which, when properly used, pushes the lower abdomen out when you breath in and then pulls it in when you breathe out. This is just the opposite of what you might think or have been taught in school gym class where coaches often yell erroneously, “Stomach in, chest out!”

 b. The Respiratory Quotient (RQ) is the ratio of oxygen to carbon dioxide, also relates to the body’s energy. If you obtain more energy from fats, your RQ is closer to 0.7. If you obtain more energy for carbohydrates, your RQ is closer to 1.0. Proper exercise and eating the right dietary fats will help to improve this ratio.

      c. Low hemoglobin (anemia) or a low red blood cell count may be another reason for improper oxygen usage. This is only sometimes caused by low iron. Others include: poor digestion, lack of vitamin B-1, and liver problems.

3. Adrenal insufficiency is another common reason for fatigue. The adrenal glands are our reserve energy supply and have a major influence upon blood sugar. Other hormonal influences include the thyroid and other glands, and metabolism in general, all of which are responsible for energy.
4. Poor circulation of blood and lymph (the waste removal system) is sometimes related to fatigue. When the circulatory system isn’t working properly, oxygen and nutrients can not reach all the cells of the body resulting in malnutrition, and waste products can not be removed resulting in congestion. One of the best ways to improve circulation is to exercise.
5. Nutritional imbalance can also cause fatigue. This can be something as simple as a vitamin B-12 deficiency or too much protein, or it can be something more complex, such as an accumulation of various vitamin or mineral deficiencies over a period of time.

  In conclusion, fatigue may be the result of any one or a combination of these causes. The key is to find any problems and correct them.