Archive: September 2006

Droopy eyes?

Learning how to combat fatigue can be a giant step toward wellness

By Dr. David Pawsat

Fatigue has become commonplace in this country. A growing portion of the population lives their productive years tired and stressed out. Many hours and dollars are spent seeking a simple magic cure. Ultimately, many are disappointed and believe fatigue will accompany them the rest of their life.

The tragedy is that society often views individuals with low energy as lacking motivation. Health care providers frequently prescribe anti-depressants to improve mood and energy. Those overweight get exercise and better food choice lectures. Although, in the right individuals these are reasonable options to improve energy, most fatigue is far too complex for such simple solutions.

What causes fatigue? It is caused by the inability to produce, use, or transfer energy. Energy is produced in energy producing parts of cells, called mitochondria. Imagine the mitochondria as a coal power plant inside your cells. If the power plant does not have enough coal, it cannot make energy. If it has improper equipment, it runs inefficiently. If there are not enough workers, or the workers do not communicate properly, the plant will not run at capacity. The mitochondria in our bodies work in much the same way.

What are possible causes of mitochondrial dysfunction? Hormonal imbalances, environmental toxins, nutritional deficiencies, medications, anemia, lack of exercise, too much exercise, weight gain, stress, environmental allergies, infections, gastrointestinal disturbances and genes. For most sufferers of fatigue, the cause is multi-factorial. Mitochondrial dysfunction can happen acutely, but typically, it is the result of damage over many years.

Are there different types of fatigue? Fatigue can be divided into two categories: mental fatigue and physical fatigue. With physical fatigue, a person can sit for long hours expending mental energy, but basic low impact exercise is a challenge. Those with mental fatigue have the opposite problem. They are able to exercise, but sustained concentration or problem solving is a chore. Most of my patients arrive having suffered from both mental and physical fatigue.

How do I prevent or begin to treat fatigue? The first step is to realize your past choices and exposures have affected your present health, but more importantly, your present choices and exposures will affect your future health. Laboratory evaluations are available to examine hormonal balance, toxic exposure, gastrointestinal health and many of the other causes of mitochondrial dysfunction. Treatment is then customized to an individual's needs. These treatments often include targeted nutritional and hormonal therapies as well as detoxification.

Fatigue does not have to be a part of your everyday life. No longer should those with fatigue believe it is a life sentence. With the help of modern science and medicine, precise causes and treatments for fatigue are available.

Dr. David Pawsat, DO, is a diplomat of The American Board for Anti-Aging Medicine and the owner of The Center for Optimal Health, PLLC. He can be reached at 517.324.9400.