Fatigue is one of the most common complaints among adults. This is particularly true in developed countries where long work days and long commutes are not uncommon. It’s often seen as nothing more than an annoyance or “the price of doing business.” However, fatigue can be one of the first signs of an undiagnosed condition that can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. In this article, we’ll take a look at how naturopathy uses natural fatigue remedies that can help to relieve your fatigue and leave you feeling healthier both physically and mentally!
Traditional Western Medicine’s Treatment for Fatigue
In western culture, we find it easy to ignore fatigue, an indicator of potential health risks. This is partly because energy drinks, caffeine, and other stimulants seem to cure this discomfort even if only temporarily.
Chronic fatigue is difficult to treat with traditional medicine due to a lack of standardization among physicians, especially in terms of diagnosis.
People who do choose to seek medical help, are often prescribed medications like modafinil (Provigil), amphetamines (Dexedrine), Ritalin (methylphenidate) as well as antidepressants for the extreme cases of fatigue.
Unfortunately, these solutions rarely address the root causes of fatigue in most people. Over time, many of these solutions can also increase stress, irritability, blood pressure, anxiety, insomnia, and headaches over time.
While Western medicine may be able to relieve short-term fatigue symptoms, it has not been shown to treat chronic fatigue effectively. The naturopathic approach offers natural fatigue remedies as the preferred method for dealing with fatigue.
Where Does Chronic Fatigue Come From?
Chronic fatigue can be caused by many factors including hypothyroidism and chemical sensitivity. It may have originated in childhood due to environmental stressors or psychological trauma.
Sometimes it is attributed to lifestyle factors such as overwork, poor diet, lack of exercise, or physical maladies like chronic infections or injuries. Often fatigue is due to a combination of these things.
Alternative Approaches to Managing Fatigue | Natural Fatigue Remedies
While science may have uncovered some useful approaches to managing fatigue, naturopaths have a different approach to treating chronic fatigue. To have lasting results, we need to address specific causal factors. The approach used with each client varies depending on their specific underlying cause(s). But there are some general approaches that will help improve energy levels.
A good place to start is by focusing on consuming foods that support healthy energy production.
Naturopaths believe in the body’s ability to heal itself and its ability to inform us of which internal systems need attention. In fact, many naturopaths refer to the gut as the ‘second brain’, since it has a huge impact on your overall health.
One of the first steps to uncovering long-term natural fatigue remedies, improving your energy, and helping to make the overall picture much clearer is to address any underlying gut issues. These may include Leaky Gut, food intolerances, or dysbiosis.
Another root cause that is easily overlooked is dehydration. Many people don’t drink nearly enough water to support metabolic processes. They can even lose their ‘thirst indicator’ in the mouth due to ignoring it.
Fatigue isn’t the only thing dehydration can cause, but it is one of the big ones. There is a specific formula for determining how much water one needs that’s based on weight, which we can determine in the office.
It’s important to realize that chronic fatigue is not just something that occurs after an exhausting day at work or school. As naturopaths, we’re familiar with a variety of approaches for addressing fatigue using integrative holistic tools for optimal health with each approach. Each uses natural remedies and begins by addressing underlying causes.
What About Short-term Fatigue?
The naturopathic approach to short-term natural fatigue remedies focuses on stimulants, such as coffee or tea. Both are diuretics, which can result in dehydration if not accompanied by proper hydration.
Instead of reaching for stimulants when experiencing short-term fatigue, focus on foods that boost your immune system. For example, consider increasing your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables which contain vitamins A, C, E, B complex vitamins (including folic acid), iron, zinc, calcium and magnesium.
All these nutrients help boost immunity; eating them regularly can also lower cholesterol levels in blood vessels and increase blood flow throughout body tissues. There is no one diet suitable for everyone; individualized nutritional therapy is best.
Conclusion
When used in a holistic fashion, naturopathic treatments can be successful in reducing and managing fatigue. Alternative treatments are beneficial for chronic fatigue and short-term fatigue.
If you have chronic or short-term fatigue and wish to try natural methods of treatment, feel free to call for a consultation at 702-240-3533 so we can discuss options for addressing your specific condition. Alternatives like massage therapy and yoga are great ways of reducing stress levels, improving sleep patterns, and boosting energy levels.
Finally, remember that everyone is different – what works for one person may not work for another; listen carefully to what your body tells you and don’t be afraid to make changes that might make you feel better as long as they don’t do any harm!
