Did you know that women report fatigue almost twice as often as men?
While we know that fatigue is commonly caused by insufficient or poor quality sleep, it can also be the symptom of various other things, and while we feel it on a physical level through a lack of energy, there is also a disruption occurring on a cellular level with our mitochondria (our energy powerhouses)!
Typical signs and symptoms of fatigue include tiredness, poor concentration, irritability and feeling weak, but some other symptoms you may not realise include:
Aches and pains (increase in inflammation)
Dull skin, hair and eyes
Lowered immunity and susceptibility to infection
Increased appetite
Weight gain
Dizziness
Blurry vision
Lack of coordination
Lack of tolerance for normal everyday stressors
Low mood
Poor short-term memory or brain fog
To stop the fatigue we must first determine WHY you feel this way.
Common Causes of Fatigue
A sedentary lifestyle (a big one!)
Chronic pain
Low thyroid function
Hormonal conditions like endometriosis
Chronic inflammation
Dehydration
Stress, anxiety, depression
Insomnia
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia
Hypoglycaemia, Insulin resistance, Diabetes Mellitus
Malabsorption in the digestive tract
Nutritional deficiencies like B12, vitamin D, Iron
Food or chemical intolerances
Lyme Disease
Perimenopause / Menopause (hormonal changes)
Acute respiratory infection
Acute gastrointestinal infections
More serious conditions such as autoimmunity, cardiovascular disease and cancer
Zeroing In On The Cause Of Fatigue
If you’re not sure what’s causing you to feel tired, start here👇🏽
Determine if your fatigue is associated with a digestive imbalance
Irritable bowel syndrome, gut infections and food intolerances cause a real drop in energy and make even the most basic exercise incredibly difficult. A bad gut can also impact your sleep. Take our free assessment to determine if your digestion is making you tired.
Get Tested
If your doctor won't send you for the tests you need, see us in the Kiyah Clinic. We can do a full thyroid panel, liver function tests, look at blood sugars, hormones, cortisol, inflammatory markers, cholesterol and investigate any nutrient deficiencies.
Assess Your Diet
Find out exactly what your body needs. Stop relying on caffeine and ensure your body is getting the nutrition it needs. We encourage you to start The 28 Day Re-Program Challenge. It's a great lifestyle reboot, cultivates new habits and teaches the basics of nutrition so that your nutritional needs are met through the right balance of healthy fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and fermented foods.
6 Ways to Instantly Boost Your Energy
1. Take 10,000 steps a day
It might sound a little counterintuitive to exercise when feeling tired. However, one of the main reasons we feel fatigued aside from lack of sleep is inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle. Start small and go slow if you find it a bit daunting. With dedication and persistence, you’ll feel a lot more energetic in no time!
2. Reduce inflammation
A processed diet, stress and disease create inflammation that can lead to fatigue. Combat inflammation by eating an anti-inflammatory diet. Include plenty of colourful fruits and veggies, herbs and spices.
3. Tame Your Tummy
The good bugs in your digestive tract help you to better absorb nutrients from your food. This means that a healthy microbiome equals more fuel for your body and in turn, more energy. In contrast, if you're bloated and bad bacteria have taken over your gut, you'll feel sluggish and fatigued. Add fermented foods and drinks into your diet to nurture your digestive function. This article has some simple tips to try now.
4. Be present
When we get caught up in our stream of thoughts we tend to be stressed and anxious. This leads to more inflammation and acidity in the body, both of which are big players in the presentation of fatigue. Chronic over-activation of our adrenal glands and nervous system can also lead to issues with energy production. Could you be burnt out? Find out here.
5. Don’t skip breakfast
A protein-rich meal when breaking your fast at the start of the day will provide you with consistent balanced energy. If you rely on caffeine to wake you up, you’re depending on stress hormones; cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline to sustain you.
6. Stay hydrated
It’s estimated that 20 - 30 % of older adults are dehydrated. Research has shown that the most significant effects of dehydration include decreased alertness, increased sleepiness, fatigue and confusion. In fact, a dehydration level of just 1%t can adversely affect cognitive performance!
7. Get quality sleep
It’s not only about the number of hours you get, it's about how deep, restorative and uninterrupted your slumber is!
If you're always exhausted or relying on stimulants to get you through your day, connect with us in the Kiyah Clinic or book a free 10 minute naturopathic call.
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