Fatigue

by Karen Johnson, R.N., M.Ac.

Sometimes I think the number one problem I hear about is fatigue. It's such a common complaint - to be tired and worn out all the time, or to wish for more energy and enthusiasm. It's a very real concern, but often people say that it's not specific enough or doesn't seem severe enough to warrant medical attention. Often it seems that the only choice is to keep on going, hoping that the situation will somehow magically improve.

In many cases, upon interviewing a patient, I learn that historically there has been a period of overexertion of some sort, perhaps extending over years. Alternatively, I might find that something intense and traumatic happened before the state of tiredness or fatigue was noticed.

It's not uncommon for people to be simply overworked. Overwork is one of the most frequent causes of exhaustion. Overwork can include physical or mental work, especially if it is continued over long hours and worse still, if it's under stressful conditions. It is even possible to over-exercise, doing more than one's constitution can support. If this effort continues without sufficient opportunity to rest, the body has to pull from deeper and deeper reserves in order to function, and it becomes harder and harder to recover.

Diet is a very important factor in chronic tiredness. Our everyday nutrition has a great deal to do with health maintenance. Irregular eating habits can significantly weaken the body. When I talk about irregular eating habits, I include undereating (which fails to nourish the body) and overeating (which can cause food to be retained in the stomach and cause the digestive system to work too hard). But I'm also talking about things like eating late at night, in a hurry, or while worried or upset, or following such a rigid diet that major food groups are omitted.

Exhaustion can also be a result of a long period of illness or living in situations that lead to extremes of emotion like anger, fear or worry. Even childbirth, a powerful and demanding experience, often requires more recovery time than may be available, and a woman who must return to work right away may find herself deeply fatigued.

Fortunately, oriental medicine has a language to encompass this experience of fatigue and a course of action to help restore your sense of well-being. During your first interview, your practitioner will likely ask you about your health history as well as lifestyle factors such as diet, proper rest, history of trauma, illness, overwork or ongoing life stressors. You may discover some simple changes you can make in your daily habits that will support your treatments and help you better understand your body's signals.

With such support and education you will be in a much better position to take good care of yourself. Fatigue doesn't have to be a way of life. It can be just another milestone to mark your progress on the road to a life full of energy and well-being.