Fatigue: A Functional Medicine Approach
Understanding the Root Causes:
- Nutritional deficiencies: Deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals, such as
iron, zinc, B vitamins, or vitamin D, can impair energy production. - Hormonal imbalances: Issues with thyroid function, adrenal fatigue, or sex
hormones can disrupt energy levels. - Chronic infections: Chronic infections, like Lyme disease or Epstein-Barr
virus, can drain the body’s resources. - Gut dysbiosis: Overgrowth of certain commensal bacteria or lack of
beneficial gut bacteria can affect digestion and absorption of nutrients. - Digestive issues: Gut health plays a major role in energy production and overall
wellbeing. Conditions like small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), small
intestinal fungal overgrowth (SIFO), gluten sensitivity can interfere with
nutrient absorption and energy production. - Sleep disorders: Poor sleep quality or quantity can contribute to fatigue.
- Environmental toxins, such as mercury, cadmium and lead can all affect important bodily functions and cause fatigue.
Functional Medicine Diagnosis
Revivo Health uses your medical history, signs and symptoms to narrow down how to identify the underlying causes of your fatigue. Tests may include
- Blood tests to assess hormone levels, nutrient deficiencies, inflammation, detoxification capacity, anemia and other factors
- Stool tests: may be used to evaluate your gut health and microbiome function. Even with the absence of digestive symptoms your gut may be affected and contribute to your fatigue.
- Saliva tests are often required to measure hormones involved in or affected by the stress response, such as cortisol and DHEA.
- Genetic testing can Identify genetic predispositions to certain health conditions.
Treatment for fatigue at Revivo Health
- Nutritional optimization is vital. Dietary adjustments are the cornerstone of nutritional optimization. However, supplements may be required to bridge the gap till dietary changes are implemented.
- Hormonal balancing through lifestyle changes, supplements, or bioidentical hormone therapy.
- Addressing chronic infections through strengthening the immune system, herbal remedies or antibiotics can be lifechanging.
- Optimizing gut health with dietary interventions, probiotics, and prebiotics.
- Getting enough sleep and improving sleep quality are often required. Unfortunately, it’s also missed by many health care professionals.
The Revivo Health Approach
Revivo Health takes a holistic approach to fatigue, considering all aspects of a person’s life, including their environment, diet, and relationships. By addressing the underlying causes of fatigue, Revivo Health aims to provide lasting relief and improve overall health.
Key Benefits of Functional Medicine for Fatigue
- Personalized treatment: Revivo Health tailors treatment plans to individual needs, addressing the specific root causes of fatigue.
- Long-term relief: By addressing underlying issues, we can provide lasting relief from fatigue.
- Improved overall health: Our approach can help improve other aspects of health, such as digestion, sleep, and mood.
