There are many reasons why we might feel more tired from one day to the next. Sometimes this is a natural response to our energy output or lack of rest. However, in the case where there is no obvious explanation, its important to look closer at your health to see if there is an underlying cause. In this article we will explore the abnormalities of the body that cause us to feel tired or fatigued and discuss how Chronic Fatigue Syndrome fits into the functions of the body.
Fatigue and low energy are very common complaints and are also associated with many
Our bodies make energy by accessing the energy in the chemical bonds of the food we eat. When we consume food our bodies digest it into microscopic pieces of carbohydrates (monosacarrhides, disaccarides, and polysacarides), fats (triglycerides and small chain fatty acids), and proteins (amino acids, and small peptides). These food particles are then further broken down to access their chemical bonds in "The Krebs Cycle." This cycle is a complex biochemical engine that requires certain enzyme, vitamins, and nutrients to work. In order to do this our bodies need certain hormones, vitamins, nutrients, enzymes, and oxygen. This break down process is known as oxidative phosphorylation because it requires oxygen. Most of the energy is made in our mitochondria which are sometimes referred to as the cell batteries. Certain hormones can speed up or activate the breakdown of the food particles.
As you might image there are many ways in which energy production can be interrupted to create fatigue. because energy production is basically your metabolic rate, your ability to convert food energy into usable energy is closely linked with your weight as well. In the next section we will look at some of the areas where the body fails to make energy efficiently.
Because fatigue is a subjective feeling and can arise for so many different reasons, by itself, it does not give us a lot of clues as to what is wrong with you. However, when paired with other symptoms and signs in your body, the picture can be much clearer.
Sleep is an important part in recovering from daily activities. If you are resting less than 8 hours and you are feeling fatigued chances are you need to catch up on your sleep. While it is always best to get 7-8 hours of sleep, some people feel fine with less. Research suggests that daytime napping is an okay substitute for a continues 8 hours.
The cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is not exactly known but there are several proposed causes. Two leading thoughts are inefficient mitochondria with associated oxidative stress and chronic viral infections related to poor immune function. The first scenario comes about when the body cannot handle all the free radicals produced by the mitocondria leading to damage and inefficiency of the mitochonria. Remember the mitochondria are the energy centers in the body and without them the energy our body can produce is limited.
In the second scenario, the immune system is so poorly functioning that viruses cannot be kept in check. Normally when we are exposed to viruses like EBV (Epstein-Barr virus) and Humanherpes 6 virus we go through a period of sickness and then move on with our lives (and sometimes we don't even get sick and our bodies fight them off). For those with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, the immune system is in a daily struggle with the viruses and cannot suppress the virus into dormancy. This leads to daily struggle with energy levels.
There are many ways to approach treating fatigue. This article did not cover all the possible causes of fatigue but should give you a good idea of what could be causing your fatigue. The first step is to rule out the most common and easily treated causes like anemia, vitamin deficiencies, and functional issues. Fatigue is one of the most common reasons people look to naturopathic medicine as western medicine is limited in what they can offer. At Southwest Integrative Medicine our naturopathic physicians frequently treat fatigue of various origins.
For a free consultation to better understand how we can help you treat your fatigue, click on the link below.