Can’t keep your eyes opened at work?

Having a hard time waking up in the morning?

Lack of stamina prevents you from enjoying life?

all your standard blood tests are normal?

This is where we can help.

Fatigue can be due to a number of factors, the most common ones listed below:

Insufficient sleep: most adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night but statistics show that in urban areas, most people achieve an average of 6 hours of sleep per night.

Digestive issues: poor digestion, and in particular, food intolerances is a common cause of ongoing fatigue. Improper digestion leads to a great deal of our energy being diverted to the digestive and immune systems. Identifying food intolerances and optimizing digestion – which can be done by dietary changes and digestive support (enzymes, probiotics etc..) can lead to rapid improvements in energy levels.

Low blood iron levels: this is more common in women than in men, and leads to fatigue and shortness of breath, particularly during physical exertion. In order to assess iron levels, it is a good idea to get a blood test done to measure not only iron levels in the blood but also our iron storage (this test is called “ferritin”). Examining one’s diet, iron supplementation and supporting mineral absorption in the digestive system are all ways to improve iron status.

Vitamin B12 deficiency: this is more common in vegetarians, since vitamin B12 is most easily found in animal products – and can be a significant cause of fatigue. Vitamin B12 shots and supplements can quickly help raise energy levels.

Mycoplasma infection: in Singapore, we mostly know mycoplasma as a respiratory infection, but it can create lasting fatigue, especially in adults. After eradicating the infectious agent, it is often necessary to provide adrenal and immune support, as well as working on implementing a wholesome diet in order to boost one’s energy levels following the infection. Epstein-Barr virus, responsible for mononucleosis (also known as glandular fever) can also create lasting fatigue even once the acute infection is over.

Stress and burn-out: long periods of stress and physical or emotional demands can gradually wear down our ability to withstand stress and activity. This erosion of resistance is increasingly common in the modern-day world and is called adrenal fatigue. This condition leads to fatigue, sugar cravings, recurrent infections and can be improved by proper diagnosis and nutritional as well as supplemental support. For more information, click here.

Naturopathic medicine is useful in identifying and reversing these common causes of fatigue – dietary interventions are typically the cornerstone of the treatment plan, while nutritional and herbal support is a useful adjunct to speed up recovery.