How to Defeat Fatigue Forever
By Dr. Floyd Taub
(First in a two part series)

For many of us, it sometimes seems as if we are moving at a whirlwind pace and fatigue is just an unfortunate by-product of our on-the-go lifestyles. Occasional feelings of exhaustion and lack of energy can be caused by physical and emotional stress. However, fatigue becomes a problem when you struggle every day to gather the energy and motivation needed to do the things that most of us take for granted: getting out of bed, excelling at work and spending time with our families. 

Continual fatigue can have a severe negative impact on quality of life, and it seems to be on the rise. Michael Sharpe, of the University of Edinburgh Scotland, and co-author David Wilks, of the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, report in the British Medical Journal that up to 20 percent of all patients who seek medical care complain of "persistent and troublesome" fatigue. This makes it one of the most commonly reported symptoms. The authors also uncover another disturbing fact: without treatment the prognosis for fatigue patients is astonishingly poor. More than half will still be fatigued six months after their initial doctor's visit. 

There are a number of underlying factors that may cause your malaise. Illnesses such as ibromyalgia, hepatitis C or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), or treatments used in controlling cancer may sap your energy and motivation. Sometimes, however, doctors cannot pinpoint any single cause of fatigue. This general fatigue can be caused by any number of factors including stress, sleep disorders, depression and physical exertion. Additionally, women are more likely than men to suffer from fatigue. 

There are a number of steps that your doctor can take when dealing with fatigue. One of the most commonly recommended non-drug treatments is engaging in some physical activity every day. An appropriate amount of physical activity is required by everyone for physical and emotional well-being and people who suffer from fatigue are no exception. A key consideration for fatigued patients is to know how much to do and when to stop the activity. Regardless of the level of activity, the most important guideline is to avoid increasing your level of fatigue. In general, healthcare providers advise patients with fatigue to pace themselves carefully and encourage them to avoid unusual physical or emotional stress.

 Other non-drug therapies your doctor may recommend include massage therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic, self-hypnosis, and therapeutic touch. These options may contribute to feeling better, but they are most effective when combined with physical activity, including aquatic therapy, light exercise (adapted to personal capabilities), and stretching. Some patients may tolerate activities such as yoga and tai chi that require more energy. 

Some drug therapies your doctor may try include: