Did you know there is a difference between feeling tired and feeling fatigued? Feeling tired is normal. This is how we feel in the evening before we go to bed or after certain physical activities. It is relieved by sleep. Fatigue is abnormal. This is a daily lack of energy not relieved by sleep. There is actually a condition known as chronic fatigue syndrome.
The key with chronic fatigue is to identify the root cause. A chronic viral infection seems to be the cause for many who struggle with this condition. Patients who have a history of mononucleosis many times develop chronic fatigue syndrome. It is caused by the Epstein Barr virus. There are other chronic infections that can also cause chronic fatigue.
Another common cause of fatigue is chronic stress. This leads to dysfunction in the adrenal and thyroid glands. The adrenal and thyroid glands interact with one another and when one is dysfunctional the other will be as well. This is why a lot of people who are being treated for low thyroid function still feel fatigued because the adrenal gland has not been addressed.
Finally, another overlooked cause of fatigue is nutrient deficiency. Iron, B12, B6 and folate are common ones. Think of vitamins and minerals as fuel. If you are lacking in fuel, your energy supply will be low as well.
In our next newsletter, we will address how to test to find the root cause of your chronic fatigue.