Why am I Fatigued?

Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms I see in clinic. Yet fatigue itself is not a diagnosis. It is information.

A message.

A clue.

The question is not simply:

"Why am I tired?"

But:

"What is contributing to my fatigue?"

Fatigue can present physically or psychologically. In physical fatigue you will notice an inability to preform normal daily tasks such as carrying groceries, or climbing stairs. In physiological fatigue you will find difficulty in concentrating or low motivation and depressive mood. Understanding the types of fatigue is a starting point, though connecting the dots to body communication is the pathway.

Some Symptoms of Fatigue:

Fatigue is rarely caused by one thing. More often it reflects the cumulative demands being placed upon the body and the resources available to meet those demands.Some signs of fatigue other than ‘tired all the time’:

• headache, dizziness

• muscle weakness or sore muscles

• slow reflexes, impaired hand eye coordination

• impaired judgement, reduced concentration

• poor memory, low motivation, moodiness

• appetite loss, reduced immune function

• blurry vision, hallucinations

There can be many underlying causes of fatigue, including an energy deficiency that is circumstantial to your daily or weekly routine. Are you over committed or burning the candle at both ends? Is it time for a holiday? Are you forgetting to eat or skipping meals? Is there emotional upheaval or chronic stress?

If your fatigue isn’t related to the above, and you know that something else is at play, then you may have one of the 5 types of fatigue below:

1. Adrenal Fatigue

• feels like you haven’t slept even after 8 hours sleep at night/ poor sleep quality and wakes unrefreshed

• craving salty or sweet foods

• overly sensitive to bright lights, sudden noises, crowds

• frequent illnesses

• low blood pressure, low libido

• depression or anxiety, emotional, inability to cope with stress

• inability to focus / concentration, poor memory

• sometimes feeling most awake and energetic in the middle of the night, then feeling like it is midnight when it should be midday

• insomnia 

• • temperature dysregulation, aches and pains

• • poor appetite

2. Thyroid / metabolic Fatigue

• sluggish, weakness, inability to concentrate and poor memory recall 

• sleeps well but wakes unrefreshed

• weight gain 

• coarse, dry hair, hair loss

• dry, pale skin

• temperature dysregulation

• daytime sleepiness

• poor appetite

3. Anaemic Fatigue

• pale skin, cracked or reddened tongue

• weakness, tires easily, can fall asleep in the afternoon

• loss of appetite or strange food cravings

• breathlessness, palpitations

• frequent headaches

• difficulty with concentration and easily irritated

• heavy bleeding with periods

4. Mitochondrial Fatigue

•  Poor exercise tolerance along with other symptoms of fatigue mentioned above.

The mitochondria are are energy powerhouses within cells, responsible for converting byproducts of digestion into energy (specifically ADP enzymes from the break down of sugar, protein and fats, converted into ATP). ATP is the energy molecule which fuels our entire body. 

The mitochondria are highly susceptible to toxicity and will struggle in situations where there is increased ingestion of toxins, or there is a required need to perform a detoxification regime. 

5. Nutritional Fatigue

• symptoms of deficiencies related to specific nutrients. 

The most common causes of fatigue that a practitioner encounters is nutrient deficiency. This can range anywhere from lack of consumption of calories in the day, to suboptimal levels of foods with certain nutrients. Gut health is always assessed in cases of nutritional deficiency, and underlying issues such as bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), parasitic infection, poor digestive function, leaky gut, IBS, allergy and intolerance will seriously compromise the absorption of nutrients from your food.

A practitioner will evaluate your overall digestive capacity and metabolism to determine the correct treatment. There is no gain in supplementing or increasing nutrient dense foods, when in fact your digestive system is under functioning and not able to break down and absorb those nutrients. Many many people will be experiencing sluggish digestion and slow metabolism, and by treating this we can immediately benefit from an increase in absorbed nutrients without needing to supplement.

B vitamins, magnesium, iron, zinc, Co Q10. amino acids are among the most required nutrients to support body functions and maintain energy levels. For many people, supporting intake of nutrients by adding foods into your diet will suffice, however for those who have become chronically deficient, or who have an increased requirement, short term supplementation will be necessary.

Other Considerations & Contributing Factors

Fatigue rarely develops in isolation. The body is constantly responding to the cumulative demands placed upon it, and many factors can influence energy, recovery and resilience. Chronic stress and nervous system overload may contribute to increased allostatic load—the physiological "wear and tear" that occurs when the body is repeatedly required to adapt.

Sleep quality, not just quantity, plays a critical role in tissue repair, hormone regulation and energy production.

Hormonal transitions such as perimenopause and menopause can influence cortisol rhythms, sleep, metabolism and recovery.

Chronic inflammation, immune activation, post-viral fatigue and underlying infections may place additional demands on the body's resources, while digestive dysfunction can impair the absorption of nutrients essential for healthy cellular energy production.

Beyond physiology alone, movement, sunlight exposure, meaningful connection, purpose and time in nature all provide important signals to the nervous system, influencing everything from mood and motivation to immune function and mitochondrial energy production. Health is not created by one pathway alone, but through the ongoing conversation between the body, its environment and the life being lived around it.

When to be concerned?

It is important to seek help from a qualified practitioner if you are experiencing any fatigue which is:

• ongoing (chronic)

• limits your ability to do every day tasks

• worsens or doesn’t improve with rest

• has a dramatic onset

• appears with weight loss / weight gain, or dramatic changes to skin / hair / complexion and appearance

• or if it is simply unexplained (not caused by lack of sleep or over commitments)

These causes or fatigue are extremely common in our busy society. In addition there are other factors which could be causing your fatigue. Naturopathy offers many treatments to correct underlying causes of fatigue, while also supporting your energy.