Always Tired? These 6 Causes Of Fatigue Are Very Common
Does it seem to you that you’re always too tired? Fatigue and chronic tiredness are among the most common complaints physicians hear from adults, middle aged to seniors. Long before we finally go to the doctor, our first tendency is to laugh it off with a few friends on the weekends, and chalk it up to long work hours or keeping up with the kids’ schedules. Those can certainly be part of it. But is it really the whole story?
The National Stem Cell Institute (NSI), one of the leading regenerative medicine facilities in the United States, sees thousands of patients annually. In many cases, the first symptom they mention is chronic fatigue. Sometimes, emphasizing the importance of getting enough quality sleep is enough to help these patients get back on track as part of their therapy regimen.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, the majority of adults know full well how important it is to get proper amounts of sleep. And many of us will make a concerted effort to change habits that interfere with it:
- We’ll reduce stimulants like caffeine.
- We’ll keep electronics like tablets, laptops, and phones out of the bedroom.
- We’ll keep the bedroom dark and cool.
- We’ll stick as much as possible to a bedtime routine that includes 8 hours of sleep.
But in many cases, sleep quality is far from the whole story. There are underlying conditions that directly affect hormone levels for both men and women and interfere with energy levels. They can even affect how well you can maintain a healthy weight. If you can’t shake your fatigue no matter what you do or how many hours of sleep you get, see if any of these 6 common reasons for chronic tiredness resonate with you.
6 Reasons That May Be Causing Your Fatigue
- Thyroid Disease
As many as 20 million people in the U.S. have thyroid disease. But here’s the real kicker: at least 60% of them don’t know it! Thyroid disease is a particular risk for women and older adults.
Symptoms of a thyroid disorder include:
- Persistent Tiredness
- Moodiness
- Muscle and Joint Pain
- Weight Gain or Loss
- Vision Problems
- Decrease in Work Performance
- Body Temperature Fluctuations
- Appetite Changes
The thyroid is one of the body’s master glands. It secretes hormones that impact nearly all bodily functions to one degree or another. Among the functions the thyroid affects are:
- Body Temperature
- Heart Rate
- The Production of Protein
- Metabolism
- Energy Levels
Common Causes of Thyroid Disease
Medical experts believe there are several basic contributors to thyroid disease. They are:
- Hormonal Imbalances
- Food Intolerances
- Radiation
- Exposure to Toxins
- Nutritional Deficiencies
6 Natural Ways to Relieve Symptoms of Thyroid Disease
If a thyroid condition is causing you chronic fatigue, here are 6 ways that may help relieve the symptoms:
- Eliminate gluten from your diet.
- Use glass containers instead of plastic and aluminum. Many people are sensitive to toxins and heavy metals -such as BPA (Bisphenol A)- that can be found in them.
- Ask your doctor to check your iodine and selenium levels. If you’re low, include foods and/or supplements to boost them.
- Do a heavy metal detox with extracts and herbs like milk thistle, turmeric, chlorella and cilantro.
- If you have metal fillings in your teeth, consider having them replaced with non-metal composite fillings.
- Consume adaptogen herbs. Adaptogen herbs like ginseng, holy basil, and licorice root a have normalizing effect on bodily processes and help the body adapt to stress.
- Reduce your carbohydrate “empty calories” intake and increase your consumption of lean protein and healthy fats.
- A Sedentary Lifestyle
It’s very easy to fall into sedentary habits, especially in today’s office-oriented work environments. The trouble is that being sedentary creates fatigue, which tempts us to become even more sedentary whether in the office or at home.
It may not be immediately obvious, but sitting all day puts a lot of stress on the body. It can cause muscle aches, neck pain, stiff joint, back problems, and even chronic headaches. And body stress causes tiredness that can become chronic fatigue.
The body is designed for movement. When activity that isn’t at least moderate in nature doesn’t happen on a regular basis, issues with mood, sluggishness, fatigue, and weight gain usually occur.
Some Causes of a Sedentary Life
- A Sitting Desk Job
- Inadequate Movement
- Back Injuries
- Chronic Pain
- Habitual Home-Based Sitting
- Low Motivation
When moderate, regular exercise becomes a habit chronic fatigue can be significantly reduced. This is because moderate or higher levels of activity can:
- Help balance hormones in both men and women.
- Help manage blood glucose levels.
- Improve sleep quality.
- Release mood-lifting endorphins
- Boost stamina.
- Add muscle tone.
- Burn body fat.
Of the perks mentioned above, which is one of the biggest? Better sleep! In a 2005 study, researchers at the Department of Exercise Science at the University of South Carolina, concluded that, among the things that are within the average person’s control, nothing “elicits greater depletion of energy stores, tissue breakdown, or elevation of body temperature, respectively [than a sedentary lifestyle]. Exercise offers a potentially attractive alternative or adjuvant treatment for insomnia … Exercise could be a healthy, safe, inexpensive, and simple means of improving sleep.”
Even when tiredness tempts you to skip that brisk walk or that spin class you usually enjoy so much, it’s far better to maintain your normal exercise routine at a less vigorous level than miss it entirely. Try it next time you’re experience fatigue. You’ll find that your energy level afterward is boosted instead of made worse.
It can be difficult to feel motivated when you’re in the throes of chronic fatigue. But keep in mind that activity tends to promote desire for more activity. Take that walk around the block, even when it isn’t a “power walk.” You’ll be surprised how even a moderate pace lifts mood and restores your energy levels.
You’ll feel benefits almost immediately while laying the groundwork for the even greater pay-offs of a long-term exercise routine, including better hormonal balance and sustained energy levels. As little as 3 days a week of moderate activity for 20 minutes daily has been shown to consistently boost energy and reduce fatigue.
How to Start to Get a Move On!
Starting is easier than many people think. Fatigue busters include:
- Investing in a standing desk, or one that adjusts to let you alternate periods of standing and sitting.
- Replacing your desk chair with a large exercise ball. Using one engages the body’s core muscles –those of the back and abdominals- while putting minimal strain on hips and legs. Your back will naturally seek a comfortably straight position that is healthier for the spine.
- Taking a couple of daily “walk” breaks around your workplace. A moderately brisk 15 minute walk around the office area or floor will do wonders for fatigue. When the weather is nice, take that walk outside for an added mood booster.
- Planning regular, outdoor activity or exercises just before or after work.
- Taking 5-minute stretch breaks per every hour of sedentary sitting at work.
- Chronic Depression
As many as 16 million Americans suffer from chronic depression. In fact, it’s among the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders in the United States. Depression is an energy zapper. It’s no wonder, then, that fatigue is one of the most prevalent symptoms of both chronic and acute depression.
The Causes of Depression
Among the causes of depression are:
- Stress that is elevated and/or persistent.
- Emotional problems that go unresolved.
- Neurological imbalances.
- Hormonal imbalances.
- Alcohol addiction or abuse.
- Nutritional deficits.
- Insufficient exposure to sunlight.
- Environmental toxicity, especially heavy metals.
- Food allergies.
Natural Treatment for Depression
Many people don’t realize that there are a number of ways within their power to better manage the symptoms of acute or chronic depression, including fatigue and low motivation. One of these ways is through dietary changes.
Nutrition can influence the reactions of the brain’s neurotransmitters, radically impacting energy levels and mood. Focusing on an anti-depression dietary plan can help boost “feel-good hormones,” and alleviate tiredness. A sound anti-depression diet cuts out:
- Processed and refined food.
- Fast food.
- Food that has high sugar content and/or large quantities of simple carbohydrates.
- Excessive consumption of caffeine and alcohol.
It’s easy to fall into the bad habit of relying on things like the above to try to relieve fatigue and other symptoms of depression. The problem is that this model doesn’t really work. We get a sudden, fleeting spike in energy that’s followed by a crash. Reducing fatigue and improving mood is far better and more long-term when we replace unhealthy foods with those like the following:
- Lean Protein
- Vegetables Low in Carbs
- Healthy Fats like Omega-3 Fatty Acids
3 Other Natural Ways to Combat Depression
Exercise. Moderate or intense, on a treadmill or the park trail, on the basketball court or the tennis court, a yoga mat on the grass or you on the dance floor. However you get moving, one of the best ways to naturally help relieve chronic fatigue associated with depression is exercise. Make sure your chosen exercise activity is one that you genuinely enjoy. You’ll stick with it for years to come!
Relaxation techniques. There are several that are dependable and effective for combating the fatigue and mood troughs of depression. Yoga incorporates both a proven relaxation technique and proven physical benefits.
Essential oils. Use essential oils daily to boost mood and calm anxiety. Oils that are particularly helpful include:
- Rose
- Bergamot
- Lavender
- Roman Chamomile
- Ylang Ylang
- Poor Quality of Sleep
Sleep is the foundation of daily rejuvenation. The majority of adults need a quality sleep cycle that lasts between seven and nine hours for good health and to relieve fatigue. If you’re among the millions of Americans struggling with poor quality sleep, learn what issues in your life are contributing to the problem. They may include:
- Poor Diet
- Caffeine and Other Ingested Stimulants
- Stress
- Staying Up Too Late
- Overconsumption of Alcohol
- Certain Medications or Supplements
- Hormone Imbalance
- Trauma or Abuse
- Adrenal Fatigue
- Acute or Chronic Pain
- Sleep Apnea
- Digestive Disorders
- Struggles in Managing Family Life – infants, children, etc.
It may seem that the issues keeping you from quality sleep are insurmountable. But it’s not only crucial for your own health and well-being to find a way to eliminate those you can and manage the others. It’s important for that of your family and loved ones. The long-term benefits pay off in a significant reduction in tiredness, improved health, and happier relationships.
Get to Sleep Faster with These Natural Remedies
- Use relaxation techniques such as journaling, reading, or meditation.
- A warm bath with Epsom salt soothes muscle stiffness and fatigue, and eases the mind.
- Make magnesium supplements of approximately 300-400 mg part of your daily vitamin regimen. Magnesium promotes relaxation and relieves muscle pain.
- Take a few minutes each day to use essential oils like lavender or frankincense.
- Don’t eat meals that are sugary or high in carbohydrates too close to bedtime. The “sugar buzz” can keep you tossing and turning for hours.
- Keep caffeine consumption to small amounts during the morning hours only.
- Turn off the electronics at least two hours before bedtime. Blue-light exposure has been shown to disturb melatonin levels and interfere with the mind’s natural abilities to become sleepy.
Emotional Stress
Emotional stress saps energy levels, yet also adversely affects quality sleep. Often, emotional stress can develop into anxiety disorders or sleep-related problems. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (AADA), many “anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only about one-third of those suffering receive treatment.”
Among the things that can cause emotional stress are:
- Genetics
- Brain Chemistry
- Diet and Lifestyle Choices
- Physical or Emotional Trauma
- Poor Gut Health
Natural Way to Relieve Emotional Stress and Fatigue
- Adequate Sleep
- Moderate or Higher Exercise
- Limit or Full Avoid Stimulants
- Essential Oils
- Magnesium or B Vitamin Supplements
- Probiotics
- Blood Sugar Imbalance
A blood sugar imbalance is one of the most easily treated problems that contribute to fatigue. Yet many people aren’t even aware that they have an imbalance or how seriously it can impact energy levels and other health issues.
If your tiredness has become acute or chronic, there’s a good chance you may have a blood sugar imbalance. Left untreated such an imbalance can lead to type 2 diabetes, among other serious diseases.
Symptoms of a blood sugar imbalance include:
- Fatigue
- Food Cravings
- Headaches
- Mood Shifts
- Anxiety
Primary Causes of Blood Sugar Imbalance
- Poor Quality Diet
- Diabetes, both Type I & II
- Pancreatic Function
- Parasites
- Candida Yeast Infection
How To Naturally Manage Blood Sugar Imbalances
The most effective way to manage your blood sugar levels is to reduce (or, even better, fully eliminate) the following:
- All sugary beverages, including soda, fruit juice, energy drinks, and coffee or tea beverages with sugar added.
- Processed and/or packaged sugary/high-carbohydrate snacks like cookies, cake, cereal, and candies.
- Even natural sweeteners like raw honey and maple syrup, which can still affect blood sugar levels.
- Most nonorganic dairy products.
Eliminating Fatigue Is Largely Up To You!
In most cases, combating fatigue is within your power. Being mindful of what is causing your tiredness is the first step. Even when fatigue isn’t caused by diet or lifestyle habits, you can take control by having healthy issues that cause or contribute to your fatigue properly diagnosed.
The National Stem Cell Institute (NSI), a leading U.S. regenerative medicine facility, reports that chronic fatigue is one of the primary reasons that patients come through their doors. The good news is that most underlying causes of chronic fatigue can be eliminated or significantly reduced.
Regenerative medicine facilities, commonly referred to as stem cell clinics, are increasingly becoming mainstream in the United States. Regenerative medicine methods are quickly outpacing conventional medical techniques due to their safe, effective, minimally invasive therapies. As with all medical professions, it’s important to make sure you are working with a legitimate, licensed stem cell clinic. Below, NSI offers tips on ensuring that your selected clinic is licensed and following FDA guidelines.
What to Look for in a Stem Cell Medical Clinic
When searching for a qualified stem cell therapy center it’s important to remember that not all of them are created equal. Stem cells, when used properly, are your body’s most powerful means for healing that can repair everything from ligaments, tendons, and cartilage to organs including your liver, pancreas and lungs and even neurological tissue like your brain, nerves and spinal cord.
Unfortunately, the majority of so-called “regenerative medicine clinics” in the world aren’t trained in the latest, most technologically advanced procedures and will, therefore, provide poor results if any.
The good news is the National Stem Cell Institute (NSI) has established the most advanced stem cell and platelet rich plasma procedures on the planet which has drawn patients from all over the world as well as professional athletes and celebrities because they are recognized as the best in the world at stem cell therapy.
What makes NSI Stem Cell the top stem cell clinic in the world is demonstrated in 5 key areas:
1. Highly trained and experienced, board-certified doctors and team members who have performed stem cell procedures on thousands of patients with incredible results.
2. Cutting edge procedures utilizing all that regenerative medicine has to offer for many chronic degenerative conditions.
3. Leading scientific researchers who follow the advanced guidelines to maximize the healing potential of your stem cells and to maintain compliance and ethics
4. Use of only the most potent and viable resource of living, viable stem cells and harvested on the same day. No vial that you can purchase will contain living stem cells. If there is no harvest then there are no stem cells.
5. Post-operative guidance for supporting stem-cell growth including rehabilitation, diet and supplement protocols. NSI is a full-service healthcare center focused on patient outcomes. Stem cell therapy is only one tool used to help improve patients’ lives.
Patients have raved about their experience at NSI Stem Cell Clinics testifying that it was their unique cutting-edge procedures that helped them experience a breakthrough when nothing else worked.
If you want to learn more about NSI Stem Cell Clinics, you can set up a complimentary consultation today to see if you are a candidate. You can contact the National Stem Cell Institute at (877) 278-3623.
