Fatigue
There are many ways to improve chronic fatigue in Manhattan, New York, and Stamford, Connecticut
In its simplest form, fatigue is extreme tiredness, often associated with prolonged physical activity, stress, or insufficient sleep. However, sometimes it is a constant, perplexing, and potentially debilitating problem, brought on by even slight exertion. Sometimes it won’t go away, no matter how much you rest. If you are suffering from chronic fatigue, it’s time to see one of our experienced physicians at the New York Center for Integrative Health.
What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)?
As many as 2.5 million Americans may have chronic fatigue syndrome, according to estimates by the CDC (Center for Disease Control), although many of those are undiagnosed. Chronic fatigue syndrome is now a widely recognized condition, also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. This extreme form of long-term fatigue is often accompanied by physical pain, severe insomnia, and changes in mood, among other conditions. Often dismissed as a psychological problem, people suffering from CFS may struggle to get the understanding care they deserve.
What Else Causes Fatigue?
There is no simple laboratory test for chronic fatigue syndrome. In fact, diagnosis consists primarily of eliminating other potential causes. These might include:
- Sleep disorders – Inadequate sleeping hours, frequent disruption, or insomnia can leave a person exhausted day after day, but they typically know the cause. However, some sleep disorders, such as apnea, can diminish sleep quality. In this case, you may be deprived of rest, even if you believe you got enough hours of sleep.
- Adrenal Fatigue / Addison’s disease – Also known as adrenal insufficiency, this condition involves inadequate production of certain hormones. The body’s inability to produce certain crucial hormones, including DHEA and Cortisol, may lead to long-term fatigue. Addison’s disease, although rare, is a quite serious and potentially life-threatening version of this condition. Fatigue is a primary symptom, though often accompanied by other signs of declining health such as hair loss and gastrointestinal problems.
- Other medical conditions – Fatigue can be a symptom of anemia, hypothyroidism, diabetes, systemic infection, and many other medical conditions.
Can Chronic Fatigue Be Treated?
Every patient experiences chronic fatigue differently, and other medical problems often accompany it. It is essential to understand the root cause of each person’s fatigue through a thorough medical history and assessment. Once this is done, a comprehensive, holistic treatment plan may combine multiple therapies to address problems such as pain or depression, coupled with lifestyle changes, stress reduction, and other adjunct therapies.
Call us to schedule a consultation today to find out how we can help you.
Dr. Robert Kachko, Founder and Director of the NY Center for Integrative Health, is a pioneer in Naturopathic and Integrative Medicine and has developed an extensive bio-psychosocial methodology for people living with chronic diseases. As Immediate Past President of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, Dr. Kachko advocates for healthcare reform to allow everyone accesses to the kind of care our clinic provides.
