Do you lack the energy you once used to have? Is that extra cup of coffee just not hitting the spot? Are you starting to experience mysterious aches and pains? If you answer “yes”, then like millions of Americans you may be suffering from a very prevalent modern malaise – Fatigue.
The annoying thing about fatigue is that it’s hidden. It doesn’t usually show up on our annual physical results – it’s not like high blood pressure. Unless we are confronted with really debilitating symptoms, most of us are great at covering up our feelings of fatigue. We learn to cope with it; we blame it on stress, late nights, not enough exercise, bad relationships, poor food choices, lack of sleep. There always a good excuse for feeling tired and run down.
Fatigue comes in many forms, but the three biggest hitters on the ball-park of weariness are Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia and Adrenal Fatigue.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a condition of prolonged and severe tiredness or weariness (fatigue) that is not relieved by rest and is not directly caused by other conditions. The majority of CFS cases start suddenly, usually preceded by a flu-like illness severe stress.
CFS Symptoms
- A new onset of unexplained, persistent fatigue or tiredness, unrelated to exertion and not relieved by bed rest, that causes a significant reduction in previous activity levels.
- Fatigue that is severe enough to restrict activity.
Other Symptoms – (4 or more lasting 6 months or longer)
- Post-exertional fatigue
- un-refreshing sleep
- impaired memory or concentration
- headaches different from previous headaches in quality, severity, or pattern
- joint pain
- lymph node tenderness in the neck or armpit
- muscle weakness all over or multiple locations
- prolonged sore throat.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia produces widespread pain, achiness, disturbed sleep, and overall exhaustion. People with fibromyalgia have pain in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons—the soft fibrous tissues of the body. Fibromyalgia is a very real, painful, and sometimes debilitating health condition.
Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Pain – Deep muscular aching, throbbing, or intense burning. Quite often, the pain and stiffness are worse in the morning
Fatigue – Patients may feel as if their bodies are completely drained of energy.
Memory and Concentration – Difficulty concentrating and retaining new information.
Sleep Disorders – Trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, and an un-refreshing quality of sleep.
Exercise Difficulties – Moderate intensity exercise can make the pain of fibromyalgia worse.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome – 40-70% of firbomyalgia patients report constipation, diarrhea, frequent abdominal pain and bloating, abdominal gas, and nausea.
Chronic Headaches – Recurrent migraine or tension headaches are experienced by 50-70% of fibromyalgia patients and occur at least twice a week.
Jaw Pain – jaw-related face and head pain affects one-quarter of fibromyalgia patients.
Adrenal Fatigue
People with Adrenal Fatigue report feeling tired for no reason, they struggle to keep up with daily life, feel stressed all the time and very often crave salty or sweet snacks. Adrenal Fatigue is often triggered by life events such as crises at work or home, emotional trauma, major surgery, sudden change in financial status and drug and alcohol abuse.
Adrenal Fatigue Symptoms
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How We Treat Chronic Fatigue
We have treated many people with different forms of fatigue successfully at LifeWorks Wellness Center. The key is to find the underlying influences that have disabled the body’s energy producing systems. This is rarely just one thing, but more usually a number of subtle imbalances that combine to create problems.
At LifeWorks we endeavor to discover the real cause of the condition a person has. We are not treating with band-aids to cover up symptoms, but to rehabilitate the body to rightful health. We can’t promise that we do it every time, but you will find no office that works harder to help you regain your energy and pain free life.
Getting the correct diagnosis and treatment of fatigue problems has made a difference to a lot of people’s lives and it could do the same for you! Call for 727 466 6789 for more information or an appointment, or visit our alternative medicine website.
Dr. George Springer has practiced alternative medicine, nutrition, acupuncture, and chiropractic manipulation for 29 years. At LifeWorks, Dr. Springer treats all forms of chronic disease, provides functional laboratory evaluation for patients with specific individual nutrition recommendations, treats patients with chronic pain, chronic fatigue neuro-musculoskeletal problems, and provides support to other programs.
Dr. Springer will be hosting a free seminar on Fatigue at LifeWorks Wellness Center on Thursday, August 19, at 6:pm. Call (727) 466-6789 to register.
Chronic Fatigue Testimonial
“Shortly after going through menopause in my early fifties, I developed a nagging lack of energy. I resigned myself to the hard fact that I would never feel the energy of my youth again. I was growing old.
However, I turned to Life Works Wellness Center and Dr. George Springer. Thanks to his wise evaluation and the regimen of natural supplements he prescribed for me, after only four months, I feel that my aging process has reversed itself! I have so much energy that I can once again keep a fast-paced and energetic schedule all day long (no naps needed). I truly feel that I have regained the fifteen years I lost after menopause.”*
A.S