Why am I so tired?
Feeling tired is a very common symptom that is experienced by many and it differs from person to person. Some individuals are physically tired, some are mentally tired and some are both physically and mentally tired. There are several different reasons an individual may be experiencing fatigue. Even though coffee and other stimulants may be useful to get you through the day, it isn’t fixing the cause.
Some causes of fatigue:
Nutrient deficiencies including B vitamins, vitamin D, minerals (iron, magnesium, zinc… etc.) and macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, fat).
Blood sugar dysregulation including blood sugars that are too high, too low or aren’t well controlled.
Any type of trauma including physical trauma (hello concussions!), mental and/or emotional trauma which can lead to conditions such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Poor digestion and gut health. This reduces absorption of essential nutrients.
Poor diet with high levels of sugars/simple carbs, fried foods, processed foods, and a lack of essential nutrients for proper functioning.
Medications can cause fatigue by limiting the absorption of nutrients, causing inflammation in the body and the brain and reducing cognitive function, to name a few effects.
Many health conditions including Crohn’s, colitis, celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, congestive heart failure, cancer, acute and chronic infections, peptic ulcers, hypothyroidism, hashimotos thyroiditis, and many many more.
Reduced or impaired mitochondrial function: mitochondria are the “power houses” of our cells and they produce energy in the body.
Reduced sleep quality or quantity, or both.
Chronic stress causes sustained sympathetic or “fight or flight” nervous system stimulation. This over-stimulation will eventually lead to “burn out” over time if we are unable to relax via our parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous system. Think of it as drinking 6 cups of coffee in a day and then “crashing."
Environmental toxins and heavy metal build up in the body.
Lack of adequate exercise.
Anxiety and/or depression.
Altered neurotransmitter production including serotonin, GABA, dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, melatonin. This can be due to reduced dietary intake of precursors or cofactors, genetic mutations, brain injuries, etc.
Treating fatigue symptomatically with stimulants such as coffee, herbs or other supplements can definitely make a person feel energized temporarily. However, it is important to address the underlying cause of the fatigue and treat that appropriately. Naturopathic doctors look at a comprehensive health history of a patient, perform physical exams and run appropriate lab testing to diagnose and treat the cause of fatigue. Naturopathic treatments of fatigue aim to correct the imbalance or the deficiency. There are multiple naturopathic treatment options for fatigue including lifestyle modifications, individualized nutrition plans, nutraceuticals (supplements), herbs, acupuncture and pharmaceuticals.
If you have been struggling with feeling tired and are wanting to optimize your energy levels, contact me or a licensed naturopathic doctor in your area for support. Feel free to send me an email or book a complimentary meet & greet (15 min) to discuss your potential options.