Fatigue

Is fatigue the same as being tired?

While fatigue and tiredness have similar characteristics, they differ in their underlying causes, duration, and how they affect your daily function and well-being. Tiredness is often a result of temporary exertion. Proper rest can usually relieve feeling tired, sleepy, or drained.

Fatigue tends to be more persistent and long-lasting. It can indicate an underlying medical condition or other factors that require deeper investigation and targeted interventions.

What are the signs of fatigue?

Chronic fatigue isn’t as simple as being tired, but lack of energy is one of the main signs. Other telltale signs of fatigue include:

• Headaches
• Muscle weakness
• Difficulty waking up
• Grogginess
• Irritability
• Muscle pain
• Mood swings
• Slowed reflexes
• Stiffness
• Unintentional weight loss or gain
• Dry skin
• Difficulty tolerating cold temperatures
• Insomnia
• Depression

While the signs of fatigue may seem vague, they can be debilitating without proper treatment. At Arbor Vitae Holistic Medical Center, the team takes a holistic, integrative approach to treat fatigue’s underlying cause. 

Is fatigue a sign of an underlying condition?

Fatigue can develop without reason, but it’s often the result of an underlying condition, such as:

Rheumatoid arthritis

Fatigue is common in rheumatoid arthritis, which causes the lining inside the joints to swell, often stemming from chronic inflammation and pain that disrupts sleep and causes exhaustion.

Fibromyalgia

Widespread pain from fibromyalgia — which commonly affects the muscles, joints, and tissues — can lead to chronic inflammation and fatigue.

Diabetes

Fluctuating blood sugar levels and difficulty managing glucose (sugar) can cause chronic fatigue in individuals with Type 1 and 2 diabetes.

Addison’s disease

This adrenal gland disorder disrupts hormone production and can lead to low energy levels and weakness.

Malnutrition

Fatigue often accompanies malnutrition, as inadequate nutrient intake impairs the body's ability to produce energy, leading to constant tiredness.

I have fatigue. What are the treatment options?

Arbor Vitae Holistic Medical Center provides comprehensive care for fatigue that integrates numerous holistic treatments into your care plan. Your personalized plan may include the following:

• Nutritional counseling
• Diet and exercise support
• Nutritional supplements
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
• Stress management
• Medication
• Weight management

The team can help support healthy energy and minimize the symptoms of fatigue. Call Arbor Vitae Holistic Medical Center today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.