THE HIDDEN CAUSE OF CHRONIC FATIGUE

The hidden causes of chronic fatigue

Posted by: Christine M. Dionese, L.Ac, MSTOM in Natural Healing February 9, 2015

Tired woman(NaturalHealth365) Often when conventional medical providers hear the symptoms, “always tired, in pain, headaches, weak immune system” they file it under the chronic fatigue diagnosis. When I hear those symptoms, I want to query the patient more. I want to know about your relationships, your emotional life, do you live in a polluted urban area, how is your dental health, has anyone asked you about adrenal wellness?

Chronic fatigue is a very controversial, yet serious health concern characterized by profound fatigue and, sadly, many symptoms that follow are chalked up to “unknown causes” by the status quo healthcare system and drug therapy often ensues. From an integrative environmental perspective, those seemingly ‘mysterious’ symptoms are what lead me to ask about more elusive, lesser known causes of chronic fatigue.
Have you considered the real cause of chronic fatigue?

Old mercury fillings, crowns and root canals could be causing dental infections to lurk. Over time, the immune and endocrine systems can become taxed by these long-standing, unresolved infections resulting in chronic fatigue.

And, while the American Dental Association wants you to use harmful fluoride in your dental products, vitamin D and K along with zinc and calcium are safe, protect tooth enamel and contribute to overall enhanced health.
What is the connection between emotional stress and chronic fatigue?

Emotional trauma and unresolved emotions are one of the common, but lesser recognized causes of chronic fatigue in the conventional model. Feelings of guilt, sadness, anger, lack of self-esteem or remorse influence disease manifestation and are often reported by chronic fatigue sufferers.

Fortunately, acupuncture and the ‘emotional freedom technique’ (EFT) are two evidence-based models to help quell the emotional and physical pain associated with chronic fatigue.

Acupuncture not only offers mental relaxation, it has also been shown to exert positive neuro-musculoskeletal effects that assist in reducing nerve and muscle pain. EFT can help create a renewed sense of self to help dissolve the anger, guilt and sadness many sufferers have been carrying for years.
The undiagnosed (and poorly managed) immunological causes of chronic fatigue

Lyme’s disease is one of the most common, under-diagnosed causes of chronic fatigue that I’ve unearthed many times in clinical practice. Once Lyme’s has been diagnosed, treatment that includes healthy, whole foods, acupuncture and nutraceutical therapies address the immunological component head on so that the endocrine system can be healed from the associated chronic adrenal fatigue.

Hypothyroidism, particularly Hashimoto’s disease is often an underlying component or cause of chronic fatigue as well. While the disease may have been diagnosed it is still poorly managed in many cases.

Comprehensive testing can help determine if a thyroid issue is involved.
Chronic fatigue affects children too

Following flu-like or mono-related illness, some adolescent children may not bounce back to their regular selves. It’s usually an acute illness that alerts a parent’s attention, not necessarily the triggers discussed above.

If your child seems unwell emotionally and physically for a prolonged period of time following an illness or in general, start asking if the landmark environmental hazards I mentioned could be affecting their wellbeing. Consider addressing the issue with a qualified integrative pediatric specialist.
Great news: There is hope for chronic fatigue sufferers

In private practice, I prescribe whole foods diets that include organic, non-GMO foods and nutraceutical therapies that successfully contribute to healing the immunological and endocrine causes of chronic fatigue. Combining these treatments with emotional wellness and body work techniques helps give sufferers lasting hope to heal from chronic fatigue.

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About the author: Christine M. Dionese L.Ac, MSTOM is an integrative health expert, medical journalist and food writer. She’s dedicated her career to helping others understand the science of happiness and its powerful effects on everyday human health. Christine practices, writes and speaks on environmental functional medicine, personalized medicine and epigenetics, food science and sustainable living.

References:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25219128
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3515971
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20209476
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23166120
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