Fatigue is the most common symptom of hormonal imbalance, affecting as many as 80% of women in perimenopause and menopause. The feeling that many men and women get of being constantly tired and worn out can be caused by a wide range of medically treatable malfunctions of the various hormone systems.
The adrenal glands, for example, are responsible for helping the body to chemically manage stress. They release hormones like adrenaline, cortisol, and glycogen so that the body can react quickly to and recover from periods of intense stress. But these chemicals cannot be produced in unlimited supply, and often the combined stresses of daily life cause the adrenal system to be overextended and less able to respond to individual instances of more severe stress. This impairment of the functioning of the adrenal system is a direct cause of fatigue, as the body has fewer biological resources for handling stress.
More often, though, poor diet and nutrition are fundamentally to blame for fatigue. Diet composition and the balance of different food groups can harmonize or disrupt the body’s metabolism and regulating abilities. Dr. Roy has developed many different eating plans tailored to specific hormonal goals and is constantly updating these plans to accommodate individual patients and their individual needs. But the foods we eat are often lacking in the nutrient content needed to sustain proper hormone function. Supplements can be an important addition to a healthy diet to provide necessary nutrients; fortunately, Dr. Roy carries a wide variety of physician-crafted, medical grade supplements for all types of nutrient deficiencies.
Lack of energy does not have to be an inevitable part of the progression of adulthood. It can be treated and managed like any other medical condition. With the help of a knowledgeable and dedicated physician, you can start on the path to understanding and overcoming the deeper roots of hormonal symptoms like fatigue.
The importance and health benefits of sleep are highly underestimated in our always on, always moving society. Many people find themselves sacrificing quality sleep to try and squeeze in more appointments, more hours at the office, and more nights out. But putting in the effort and exercising the restraint to get the rejuvenating rest your body needs can be well worth it.
Poor quality of sleep is caused by a combination of factors, many being unhealthy lifestyle decisions. New research suggests that a diet high in fat and processed foods reduces the percentage of sleep spent in the REM, or Rapid Eye Movement stage of sleep. This stage is the most important for refreshing and recharging the brain; without REM, the restorative effects of sleep are missing, and you wake up feeling more tired than when you went to bed the night before. Stimulants like nicotine and caffeine are doubly detrimental to sleep quality; not only do these substances make it harder to fall asleep by increasing nervous system activity, they make it harder to stay asleep when withdrawal symptoms set in after the original reaction subsides.
Neurotransmitter and hormone imbalances are a common cause of poor quality sleep, depression, anxiety, racing thoughts and general inability to relax. Simple urine and blood tests available from Dr. Roy can identify imbalances and target the appropriate therapies.
In the short term, sleep deprivation causes decreased performance and alertness, impaired memory and thinking, increased stress on relationships and increased likelihood of automobile or occupational injury. Long-term sleep deprivation is associated with very serious medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, psychiatric problems, and even obesity. Hormones that regulate appetite and metabolism are often affected by sleep; leptin, for example, is a hormone produced in the fat cells that lets the brain know when you are full. But lack of sleep keeps leptin levels too low, causing the consumption and storage of more fat than the body needs.
Any healthy lifestyle must include the right amount of restorative sleep. Sleep is the perfect example of how all the functions of the body and lifestyle choices of each individual work in concert to promote or discourage overall health.
Wellness For Life®
