Chronic Tiredness - How To Boost Energy Naturally

Modern life is busy and chaotic.

Too many of us are getting too little sleep in the evenings as we try to plough through our To-Do lists - both at home and at work. We are a nation exhausted.

But, while most people would benefit from simply switching their phones off an hour early or a hot bubble bath before bed, others find themselves consistently racked by chronic tiredness. This syndrome is estimated to impact 250,000 people in the UK and around 17 million people worldwide.

But what are the causes? And, is it possible to find relief and boost energy naturally in these conditions?

What Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Also known as Myalgic encephalomyelitis, chronic fatigue syndrome is a condition that causes people to feel continually and persistently exhausted.

This exhaustion does not go away with any lifestyle changes, such as increasing sleep or rest. It also impacts both everyday life and the body internally, causing havoc to the immune and nervous systems.

Most people who have chronic fatigue syndrome cannot recover after using even the smallest bits of energy. This means that their fatigued or exhausted state can last a number of days before they can carry on like normal.

Every person who gets a diagnosis will experience it differently. Statistics show that the condition is more common in women but affects people across the board, regardless of age, social or ethnic group.

Some individuals will recover fully from bouts of the syndrome whereas others will experience periods during which their symptoms intensify and lessen. To diagnose, the individual will have to undertake screening for several months as well as engage in common activities to reduce their fatigue.

This may involve lifestyle changes such as taking up exercise, getting more sleep and changing their diet. Only once these aspects have been discounted, will a doctor organise for blood tests and consider giving a diagnosis for chronic fatigue syndrome.

It is also worth noting that most people who do get diagnosed have other correlating health complications too.

What causes it?

The exact reasons why a person may develop the syndrome is currently unknown. However, it is suspected that it is in response to a change in the body. This could occur because of:

• A viral or bacterial infection
• A complication with your immune system
• A hormone imbalance
• Your individual genetic makeup

No matter the cause of this debilitating syndrome, those who are dealing with it need solutions. They need ways to relieve the feeling of utter exhaustion and methods that can help them to get the most out of life once again.

How Is It Treated?

Because chronic fatigue syndrome impacts everybody differently, depending on our overall health and the cause, it is impossible to assign a single treatment to it. This also means it can take time, tweaking and honing your efforts, to see any true results.

If you choose to go through your healthcare professional, the treatments offered will likely be:

• CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) helps to change the way you think and behave.
• Over-the-counter painkillers to alleviate pain
• Antidepressants to help with pain or sleeping
• Supportive equipment to make moving around more comfortable

The NICA (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) recommends that patients are presented with a treatment plan that takes into account their individual symptoms.

Can Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Be Treated Naturally?

Alongside medicinal solutions, there are also a host of natural methods that have provided relief to many. These range from lifestyle choices through to holistic/alternative medicines.

It is important to do your research when choosing treatments and always discuss these with your healthcare provider before proceeding.

Some of the most popular include:

• Energy Management - This is the method of learning how to better manage your energy without aggravating your symptoms. Patients are asked to monitor their activities which are analysed and adjusted, where needed.
• Maintaining a Healthy and Balanced Diet - This may mean better managing your intake of starchy foods or simply ensuring you have enough carbohydrates and vegetables in your foods.
• Increasing Sleep - Some symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome are the result of poor sleep health. Monitoring sleep over a period of time allows for small adjustments which can see an improvement overall. If this doesn’t help, your doctor may seek further testing to check for additional underlying health conditions.
• Supplements - There is research to suggest that some people dealing with this syndrome have insufficient levels of essential fatty acids. Because our body is unable to produce these on its own, deficiencies can heighten exhaustion and promote muscle aches/pains. You may consider including more dietary choices, such as fatty fish, almonds, flaxseed or walnuts which are all high in omega-3 and omega-6.
• Vitamins - Within our bodies, methylation is a process that allows our bodies to regulate the activity of key systems like the cardiovascular, neurological and detoxification systems. There is research to show that people with chronic fatigue syndrome have reduced methylation and vitamins, including B12 and folic acid can help to boost this. This can come from tablets or dietary additions such as Brewers Yeast or Bee Vital Propolis.
• Ginseng - Largely used in Chinese medicine, there is some research to show that consuming ginseng can help to increase energy and reduce fatigue. However, this is minimal
• Acupuncture - While acupuncture won’t alleviate the feelings of tiredness, it can help with the pain associated with the syndrome.

At Natural Health 4 Life, we promote the use of holistic and natural health solutions where appropriate.

On our website, you’ll find a host of products and resources to help you find the right choice for you. If you have any questions about boosting your energy naturally, or would like to speak to a member of the team, please do get in contact with us here today.