Imagine, you’re about to slip into a sweet, sweet sleep. The covers are velvety, a day’s weariness sets in, the pitch-black embrace of the room guides you towards your dreams. Just as you reach the edge of sleep, the dog’s barks emanating from the kitchen yanks you to. Upon investigation you find an equally guilty and hungry spouse snacking. “Yes, dear, that was my lunch and no, I’m wide awake now!” Or perhaps it’s what keeps you up. Maybe a feeling of excitement for tomorrow’s meeting or stress from worrying about… tomorrow's meeting. The next day feels like a drag, and you don’t feel as productive or even feel like yourself.
Everybody knows what it’s like to occasionally miss a good night’s rest. Fatigue is common and can be natural. But what happens when the occasional tiredness keeps coming back? According to WebMD, fatigue is “lingering tiredness that is constant and limiting. With fatigue, you have unexplained, persistent, and relapsing exhaustion.” It can affect your work performance, mood, wellbeing, and sometimes indicate more serious conditions.
The distinction between medical and non-medical causes of fatigue is the first step in determining your fatigue solution. It comes down to your health behaviors or environment with a little of your genes sprinkled in. Typically, you have more control over your habits. As you move out of your sphere of influence we’re talking factors like overall stress levels or access to healthy food options. Finally, your genes determine whether you’re at risk of experiencing certain conditions or diseases.
We’ve done some digging and found the most common causes of fatigue and organized it by the typical treatment pathway or lifestyle adjustments.
As you read, make a list of what may affect you...
Causes of fatigue that may require a medical solution
Thyroid problems, allergies (like hay fever), menopause, heart disease, sleep apnea, depression, anemia, and diabetes.
Causes of fatigue that may require behavioral changes
Eating refined carbs, a sedentary lifestyle, getting enough sleep, and sleeping at the right times, not getting enough protein, appropriate hydration, consumption of energy drinks or caffeine beverages.
Now that you have your list, ask yourself…
What do you have control over? What don’t you?
When have you felt tired? What have you tried in the past?
It can be overwhelming to try to figure out what’s causing your fatigue issues, especially with so many different causes but answering these questions helps understand what to do next. Let’s take a look at some common cases to give a better understanding of how to treat it!
Hashimoto’s Disease
Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease that causes your body to mistakenly attack your thyroid, a small gland at the base of your neck below your Adam’s apple. The thyroid’s function is to regulate the body’s hormone levels. Hashimoto thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States. It primarily affects middle-aged women but also affects men and children at lower rates. In adults, the incidence is estimated to be 3.5 per 1000 per year in women and 0.8 per 1000 per year in men. This can cause sleepiness as your body over or under produces important hormones that influence wakefulness.
Irregular sleep schedules
If you’re experiencing excessive sleepiness, poor sleep habits are often the cause. It’s important to review your routines, schedules, and the environment you’re sleeping in so you can spot potential problems and make adjustments. Seven to nine hours of sleep per night is what’s needed for most adults. Excessive sleepiness can occur from a variety of different behaviors and roles.
Reducing screen time is important because the blue light from devices signals the brain to stay awake. Also, avoiding caffeine in the evening, going to bed at a regular time, and doing relaxing activities before bedtime are all good ways to fight fatigue. In some cases, changes in schedule caused by work or school responsibilities are to blame. Especially for those who work shifts or odd hours are at high risk for fatigue.
Studies indicate the most common causes of fatigue are typically behavioral and this may come as no surprise. In a fast-paced world built around the 9-5 (or increasingly multiple gigs) our sleep takes the sideline. Tiredness has become the hallmark of a job well done for the busy bee, the go-getter, the inevitable casualty of a busy schedule. When it comes to fixing it, convenience is key. An energy drink or coffee are short-term fixes to an issue that requires a lot more attention. We know what you really want is world-class care and resources to tackle fatigue for the long term.
Instead, the LiVing Vitality program provides accountability and support by tapping into your habits, and health to understand the root cause of your sleep slump. And the best part is that we don't need to be near you as our wellness program is online!
We meet you where you’re at on your health journey so you are informed and smart with your resources. Vitality Natural Wellness and MedSpa’s approach is complementary for treating both medical and non-medical causes. Our practitioners’ years of expertise and access to advanced testing identifies the best treatment to reduce fatigue.
What is LiVing Vitality and the Program Benefits?
It’s a comprehensive program that uses specialized testing, medical expertise, a web-based app, and education to improve your health. The main objectives of this program are to: address the root cause of disease, utilize functional medicine remedies for complicated health issues, and improve performance, focus, and sleep.
The LiVing Vitality Fast Track Program designed by Dr. McRae puts patients in the driver seat of their health while providing world-class care just a click away. LiVing Vitality is a comprehensive program that brings together the expertise of 50+ years of functional medicine research into a 16-week course. By using a web-based app, you can set and measure your goals, follow along with learning modules, and message your providers with any questions.
Ready to learn more about our online programs including LiVing Vitality Fast Track? Click here to schedule a complimentary call today to find out if LiVing Vitality Fast Track is right for you or learn more here. We are glad that we are able to provide our wellness program to you without having to be near you. This allows us the freedom to reach more people in need of our services!
