Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Are you feeling sluggish? Lost motivation to do daily activities in life that used to make you happy? Suffer from memory loss and find it very difficult to concentrate? Always feel extremely exhausted even after a night’s sleep.
The hustle and bustle of today’s society can leave you feeling as if you must get everything accomplished in a day’s time. The high demand of working in a high stress environment, picking up and dropping off your children at sports and other events, making dinner, cleaning your home, and then your told your supposed to take time for “yourself?” Typically, we grab that 3rd cup of coffee and cross our fingers that this cup will do the trick. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case and the crash can be even more determinantal. These high expectations can leave us feeling overwhelmed, unaccomplished, and downright exhausted. In an ideal life, we would all wake up fully refreshed, ready to take on the day! However, in some, that feeling of tiredness does not dissipate after a good night’s rest. Do you wake up ready to conquer the day? Or do you feel as if lifting your head off the pillow is an unimaginable task. If you can relate, you may be suffering from a common condition known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Symptoms include:
What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is defined as a condition of extreme exhaustion and tiredness that lasts for at least six months and that can't be fully explained by an underlying medical condition. The fatigue worsens with physical or mental activity but doesn't improve with rest.
Symptoms include:
· Physical Symptoms
o Sore muscles or muscle weakness
o Joint pain
o Blurry vision
o Slow reflexes
o Headache
o Sleep Problems
· Mental and Emotional Symptoms
o Brain Fog
o Impaired decision making
o Poor concentration
o Hallucinations
o Moodiness
o Short term memory loss
o Low motivation
o Decreased ability to pay attention
o Depression
What may cause CFS?
The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is unknown, although there are many theories — ranging from viral infections to psychological stress. Some experts believe chronic fatigue syndrome might be triggered by a combination of factors. Mitochondria are organelles in cells that are the source of power for all functions in the body, and loss of power contributes to all the symptoms of chronic fatigue. Though mitochondrial dysfunction is often listed as a cause of chronic fatigue, it is just part of the overall process - other factors cause mitochondrial dysfunction. Factors that seem to play a role in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome include:
· Viral Infections
· Impaired Immune Function
· Increased Age
· Psychological Stress
· Exposure to toxins
· Physical/emotion trauma
· Hormonal Imbalances
· Poor Diet
How can we combat fatigue through lifestyle changes?
- Improve our food intake by increasing the amount of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and unprocessed we consume.
- Increase physical activity and movement
- Food intolerances can cause inflammation leading to fatigue. For example, are you able to tolerate foods such as gluten, dairy, and eggs, to name a few?
- Relaxation methods such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing
- Find out the right supplements you can take advantage of to give you more energy
- Seek care from a Natural Holistic Practitioner
Natural and holistic medicine can enhance our overall quality of life, allow us to feel our best, and accomplish things we never thought possible. By choosing a natural approach, you are eliminating the harmful side effects of pharmaceuticals and getting to the root cause of your symptoms. This may seem overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it along. Check out our website at InnerHarmonyWellness.com or give us a call at (570) 319-6073 for a 30-minute free consultation. It’s never too late to feel your best. Your body, and your mind, will thank you!
