Vol. 3

No. 1

FATIGUE AND ITS REMEDIES

At various times throughout our lives, all of us will experience a sense of tiredness or fatigue. Sometimes this feeling will last a day or two but, for some people, it can persist for months, years, or even a life-time. It is important to understand that serious fatigue, that is, fatigue that is not attributable to temporary over-exertion, is actually a symptom of some other process going on within the body-mind unit. Prolonged fatigue is not an illness in itself, but a manifestation of a health imbalance.

Fatigue may derive from various causes, including the on-going stresses of daily life, emotional depression masking as lethargy, or it can be an expression of hormonal imbalances such as thyroid, adrenal or menopausal changes. Bacterial and/or viral infections can also be the culprits, as has been documented with the well-known Chronic Fatigue Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

Besides these obvious causes, there are more obscure reasons for exhaustion. One of the most common causes of fatigue is Toxemia, a medical condition that results from the retention of substances in the body that inhibit health. These substances may be man-made chemicals introduced into the body through food, water or the environment. They could also be end-products of the body's own metabolism. The question is, why would be body accumulate items that it does not really want?

Inefficent digestion is the most common cause of toxic accumulations in our systems. This occurs because the food we eat may not be the right food for our constitution. The diet may be too rich in fats, carbohydrates, or proteins for one's system, and the body is unable to digest the food properly. Undigested food causes the obvious bloating, constipation or diarrhea with which we are familiar, but it also causes a more insidious weakening of health as undigested food particles accumulate faster than the body can eliminate them.

As it accumulates in our intestines, this undigested food undergoes the chemical processes of putrefaction, creating toxic by-products which are then absorbed into the bloodstream. The resulting physical reactions to this toxic residue can be fatigue, muscle pains, headaches, low moods and a multitude of seemingly unrelated diseases.

Dr. Hans Selye, known as the father of the stress theory of illness, remarks about this process:

"Much of our metabolic debris is readily eliminated, thus re-establishing equilibrium. But a small fraction of the countless chemical processes needed for adaption to the demands made upon us by life results in insoluable waste products which clog up the machinery of the body until it is no longer usable."

The manifestation of toxic residue in the body is different for everyone. One of the symptoms of Toxemia may be the increasingly prevalent Fibromyalgia Syndrome, a chronic muscle disorder which has been linked to what we call Leaky Gut Syndrome (an intestinal disorder related to parasitic overgrowth). Other symptoms might manifest in a totally different display, such as a chronic skin disorder.

Henry Bieler, M.D., author of "Food Is Your Best Medicine," is in total agreement when he states:

"Disease is caused by Toxemia, the presence of body poisons which result in cellular impairment and breakdown in the body. In my estimation, virtually every disease known to man can be cured through the proper use of correct food, neutralizing and eliminating the toxins from the system."

It is therefore advisable to treat the cause of these varied discomforts rather than solely treating the symptoms.There is no simple formula to determine if Toxemia is the cause of fatigue. Specialized laboratory tests can evaluate digestive function. In-office tests such as chiropractic Applied Kinesiology are very helpful in determining the cause of fatigue.

If Toxemia is found to be the source of fatigue, a diet suitable for the individual's system, good digestion, assimilation and elimination are a must. In addition, chiropractic treatment can be of tremendous value in releasing the tensions and physical stress associated with fatigue as well as in helping to promote the body's own healing mechanisms to restore balance and health. To follow are some additional recommendations for the care of fatigue.

Recommendations:
Some Simple Remedies to Try

In lieu of a professional consultation, simple self-care measures can be helpful. In the field of Ayurveda (the ancient Indian health care system now enjoying renewed attention for its contributions to alternative health methods), drinking boiled water with lemon daily stimulates the cleansing of toxins. Taking a weekly sauna and giving yourself a Sesame Oil Massage* daily both support the skin's role in detoxification, along with Skin Brushing* daily for three or four minutes.

As to Nutrition, increasing the amount of raw food in the diet will nourish the body's cells, as will drinking eight ounces of fresh vegetable juice. The increase of water intake daily, with the possibility (physician approved) of fasting one day a week on juice or liquid, rests the digestive system. Eating a light diet for a week or two also rests and cleanses the body. One such light diet we use in the office is the Dextoxification Diet.* Specific programs, such as for liver and intestinal cleansing, must be individualized to each person.

Exercise, in general, but particularly with a Slant Board* daily, is excellent for intestinal health.

*Call or email the Center for printed instructions regarding these remedies.


For more information about the ways that fatigue, stress and nutrition can affect health, see the following articles in this website:
"Stress Syndrome and the Adaptive Response" and "Nutritional Healing" The article, "Logan Basic Chiropractic Technique," specifically discusses the accumulation and release of fatigue poisons.

For for information about the Pythagorean Center, see the Directory of Information, send us an email at: jifdoc@aol.com, or call the office at (415) 459-4646.

To subscribe to this complimentary Newsletter, email us your name and email address. An electronic copy of upcoming issues will be emailed to you upon publication. Future issues will also be archived at this site.

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Jeffrey I. Friedman, D.C.
FRIEDMAN CHIROPRACTIC, INC.
711 D Street, Suite 104, San Rafael, California 94901-3703
(415) 459-4646

Petaluma Annex: 405 D Street, Suite 2, Petaluma, CA 94952-3006
(707) 773-0288


DISCLAIMER: This newsletter is intended to provide health information to improve quality of life and assist users to better understand their health and arrange more easily for healthcare services. It is not an attempt to replace the need to seek healthcare services nor to provide specific healthcare advice. Information provided should not be used to diagnose or dispute a qualified healthcare professional's judgement. If you have any questions, please give our office a call or check with your local healthcare professional.

© Copyright 2015 Friedman Chiropractic, Inc. All Rights Reserved.