Energy and Fatigue

Fatigue is a very common complaint, and it is important to remember that it is a symptom and not a disease. Fatigue can be described as a lack of energy and/or motivation. This is different from drowsiness, which represents the need to sleep. Often, fatigue symptoms have a gradual onset, and the person may not be aware of how much energy they have lost until they try to compare their ability to complete tasks from one-time frame to another.
Many illnesses can result in fatigue, and they can be physical, psychological, or a combination of the two. There are differences between mental fatigue and physical fatigue. Mental fatigue is a temporary inability to maintain optimal cognitive performance. Physical fatigue can be caused by a lack of energy in the muscle.
Energy is an element of all biological systems from the environment, and it is responsible for the growth and development of every living cell. Our cells produce and then store energy in substances from carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, which release energy when reacted with oxygen. Our genes and how our genes interact with the environment affect our energy level and overall health.
Over the last two decades, dramatic breakthroughs in understanding how energy is created in our bodies and what is required for lasting optimal function. Recent literature has described how the type of food we eat and the exposure to environmental toxins can affect our energy production. Connections between dysfunction in energy production and many clinical conditions have also been discovered in recent studies. These conditions include chronic fatigue, depression, headache, and neurological diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
There is a difference between eating right and eating for energy. Energy can be defined as an individual’s unique spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical makeup. Factors that create many of these conditions can be addressed through lifestyle and nutritional influences and can help regenerate energy function and reduce fatigue. For more information on improving your energy, call Compassionate Healthcare Associates, 661-295-7777.