"Why
Am I So Tired?"
by Vikki Petersen, D.C.
Hello and welcome to BioHealth's new web site.
I am very happy to be a part of this team of doctors who are committed
to bringing a preventive, natural, and scientifically accurate approach
to health care. Our approach actually isolates the root cause of
your health problems, rather than just superficially treating symptoms.
Fatigue is the #1 health complaint that brings patients into doctors'
offices. However, fatigue is so common that traditional medicine
often ignores it or treats it in an offhand fashion.
Patients are frequently told to "get more rest", or "relax",
or "take this pill" - often a dangerous anti-depressant.
What is not appreciated is how serious fatigue can be, or how relatively
easy it is to solve.
The key is to properly diagnose WHY you are fatigued. The root
of the problem can be poor sleep, chronic pain, stress, or digestive
problems, to name a few.
Perhaps you've already been through a battery of tests with your
medical doctor, only to be told that you're "fine". In
fact, what are fine are the results of the tests. If you were truly
"fine" you wouldn't be so tired! The real problem is that
your doctor hasn't properly diagnosed your complaint. Once the appropriate
laboratory test is performed, the true cause of your fatigue will
be found.
I have been working with BioHealth Diagnostics for a number of
years. I began my work with them because they offer state-of-the-art,
functional laboratory assessments. Their tests truly can discover
the cause of a patient's fatigue.
The beauty of these tests is that they can easily be performed
at home. Saliva is used to measure 5 different hormone levels. These
hormones are involved with energy production, quality of sleep,
and many other important facets of health.
The results of these laboratory tests are reviewed with you, and
lifestyle modifications that address diet, nutrition, sleep and
exercise are recommended. My experience is that if you are willing
to make some changes in your life, your fatigue will soon be a thing
of the past.
Sometimes the cause is a simple one. Other times it is more complex.
But know this, the cause can be found, and that is my specialty.
The adrenal glands play a vital role in energy production. If you
would like to know if your adrenal glands are functioning at less
than optimum, review the list of symptoms below. If you identify
with 3 or more symptoms, adrenal dysfunction likely is having a
negative impact on your health.
Symptoms of Adrenal Dysfunction
1. Fatigue - this is one of the most common symptoms related to
improper adrenal function. Exhaustion may strike a person suddenly
in the middle of the day, or the individual may make it through
their workday only to feel completely exhausted at night.
2. Trouble sleeping - adrenal imbalance can cause abnormal hormone
production, resulting in difficulty going to sleep or staying asleep.
3. Sex Hormone imbalance - the adrenal glands produce the precursor
hormones necessary to make estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.
Improper adrenal function can result in severe PMS and menopause
symptoms, as well as other hormone related difficulties such as
a lack of sex drive.
4. Ligament weakness - joints can become irritated easily because
ligaments are weak, resulting in back pain, neck pain, and arm or
leg pain. This condition can be a symptom of adrenal dysfunction.
5. Frequent Sugar cravings - a desire for sugar can occur when
blood sugar levels drop. This is an attempt by the body to balance
blood sugar, a vital function involving the adrenals. Low blood
sugar can be a signal that its time to nourish the body, or it can
be a symptom of adrenal dysfunction.
6. Low blood sugar - feeling confused, upset, getting headaches,
or light-headedness. This can be the body's normal response when
you are hungry, or it can be a symptom of adrenal dysfunction.
7. Difficulty waking up - waking up in the morning can be difficult,
and
people feel that they "need" to have a stimulant such
as coffee, in order to be alert. If the adrenals are functioning
properly, one should feel refreshed and energized shortly after
awakening without any artificial stimulants.
8. Immune system weakness - bacterial, viral and fungal infections
occur frequently. The adrenals play a key role in immunity, and
poor immunity can indicate adrenal dysfunction.
9. Faint feeling (light-headed) when rapidly standing up can be
a sign of adrenal dysfunction.
10. Poor dilation of bronchioles - the bronchioles of the lungs
do not dilate
efficiently and asthma-like symptoms may result when adrenal function
is poor.
11. Allergies - respiratory allergic reactions occur easily and
hay fever or sinus
symptoms result. Food allergies very commonly occur with adrenal
weakness, and can result in digestive symptoms, as well as many
other often unexplained symptoms.
Are you experiencing three or more of the above symptoms? If your
answer is "yes", you may be suffering from adrenal dysfunction.
What should you do?
I recommend that you have your adrenal function tested. This will
indicate to what degree it is compromised. Then, with my help, we'll
create a personalized treatment program that can normalize your
adrenal glands' function, and move you toward more optimal health
and increased energy levels.
You can have great energy again!
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