Finding Freedom From Fatigue

There is hardly anyone I know who is not familiar with fatigue. We cannot see it, touch it, show it to someone. However, almost all of us have experienced it at one time or another. Sometimes we know why: poor sleep the night before, strenuous physical activity, or a mentally or emotionally draining situation. 

This is the trick: fatigue can be caused by so many aspects of our whole selves: the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual components. Even if one of these is out of alignment, it affects the other. Sometimes its source is obvious. Other times however, it is more subtle, sneaks up and surprises us- and we are often too tired to find the cause. We just want it to go away!

How do our modern dictionaries describe fatigue? 

1. “Extreme tiredness resulting from mental or physical exertion or illness. (doesn’t this use the definition to describe the condition though?)
2. “Weakness in materials, especially metal, caused by repeated variations of stress.”
3. “An extreme sense of tiredness and lack of energy that can interfere with a person’s usual daily activities.”

To me, whatever the cause is, it feels like someone pulled the plug, or my batteries are “glitchy.”  The frustrating aspect of fatigue occurs when it is persistent- then it not only limits what we can do, must do, want to do; it also starts to settle in as part of our overall being. If we do not address the various causes of this common symptom, it can take over and make us feel like we are “Floating in this cosmic jacuzzi,” to quote the band Incubus. “We are like frogs oblivious to the water starting to boil, no one flinches, we all float face down.”

Causes of Fatigue:

Because we are not ones here to settle, we must dig deeper to find the solutions for fatigue that has become chronic. 

*Sleep: Do you get true restorative sleep, or are there challenges falling asleep, or staying asleep? 

• pain, spams affecting sleep; irritated nerves that have been quiet most of the day, distracted, like to really talk to you overnight when all is quiet and should be settled. 
• anxiety: trying to solve your problems or the world’s issues overnight when it’s just you and yourself hashing it out in perpetual what-ifs
• alcohol or food late at night, waking up your body’s system to work instead of heal and recover

*Nutrition: low levels of B vitamins can affect sleep, contribute to nerve symptoms.  In addition, imbalances in vitamins B, C, D, iron, magnesium, and zinc have all been associated with mental and physical fatigue. These nutrients are needed for effective metabolism, mitochondria and cell function, and if lacking, will impact energy levels. 
*Hormone balance:  Please don’t just think menopause when you hear the word “hormone.” I am talking about the big ones: adrenal gland function and thyroid function. These affect all other hormones in the body, including the ones that contribute to menopause or andropause. On the surface they often look “normal” with traditional lab testing. However, often missing are labs that track the deficits in the transport systems of these hormones, and even antibodies. These are labs not often checked because they are considered “not medically necessary.”

*Toxin exposures: most people do not realize the heavy metal, mold, fungus exposure and other toxins that settle in our bodies over time, gradually clog up any ability a cell has to function well. If not addressed, your body declines- often in the form of memory impairment, low energy levels, depression, loss of hair, loss of muscle strength, gut and food sensitivities. This slow draining of our body’s batteries leads to an early appointment to the nursing home- I have seen it firsthand, and it is tragic. This is why we must be vigilant in tracking down these energy drainers and remove them at once. 

*Infection: We know the lingering effects of viral illness: Covid, Epstein Barr (Mono), Shingles.  Discovering the presence of this in our system allows us options for optimal recovery when we are able to supplement what they try to take away.

*Emotional causes:  Emotions are neither good nor bad. The chemical reactions they can drive and how that affects our bodies, and fatigue can leave us feeling the need to control them.  Sometimes this means looking back into our past, acknowledge, name it, but know that an event, injury, or illness does not define us as persons. And sometimes, we just need a good cry, a nap, and resolution. We must also surround ourselves with those things that are positive, and we provide resources for this.

Fatigue Management: 

Whatever the cause, and there are usually several, there are many ways to address fatigue. Understanding/education, leads to treatment and empowerment, and excelling in your daily life. We cannot just settle for masking it with another shot of espresso. Our treatment recommendations are real, tested, scientific, even in light of treating something we cannot see, touch, or point out to others. 

There is always hope!   That being said, if fatigue is literally dragging you down, taking over it seems, please know that we see and hear you. Because there are usually multiple causes to chronic fatigue, there are also multiple solutions to get it resolved.

These include: 

• Addressing necessary lab work with a deeper dive as discussed above
• Addressing emotional needs: counseling, prayer, breath work, meditation, cognitive behavioral therapies, just talking and knowing you are seen and heard and not alone in this positive step to optimize your health and mobility.
• Addressing the physical components of chronic fatigue: myofascial release management, acupuncture, other modalities such as cold plunge, sauna, massage, meditation, daily exercise (motion is lotion and exercise IS medicine).  
• Addressing diet habits, detox: sometimes it does not matter what we put in if we are unable to process it. We offer regular, specially guided treatment options and support to help you do this. This is key, because it is a change, change for the good, but often times we subconsciously fight change. Close support by us will help you to reach your goals of health freedom!

This may seem daunting when you feel you can barely get out of bed- but please know that again this is not done alone! Incorporating these solutions for underlying imbalances in your hormones, ridding toxins, improving intake of nutrition, micronutrients, supplementing what is missing, improving your physical mobility will all lead resolution of fatigue, and opens wide opportunities for you to thrive!

I am so excited to working with you, to help you take back your life, and move forward as you are meant to live!

With hope and charity, 

Jill Castro, MD

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