10 Key Signs Your Fatigue Has A Deeper Root Cause.
Feeling tired from time to time is a natural part of life, but persistent fatigue that interferes with daily activities may be a sign that something deeper is going on.
Chronic fatigue is more than just feeling sleepy—it can signal an underlying imbalance in the body. If you're experiencing ongoing exhaustion, it may be time to explore potential causes and solutions, including herbal medicine for chronic fatigue.
1. You’re Always Tired, Even After Rest
If you wake up feeling just as exhausted as when you went to bed, despite getting a full night’s sleep, it could be a sign of chronic fatigue. Chronic fatigue is often closely related to a dysregulated nervous system, HPA dysfunction (aka adrenal dysfunction), chronic inflammation, toxic burden and/or mitochondrial dysfunction which can all influence your quality of sleep and leave the body unable to do its optimal repair of tissues during sleep time.
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) dysfunction is caused by chronic stress, whether that perceived in your outer environment, but can also be triggered by perceived threat and stress of your internal environment, aka your body. Inflammation, toxins, and underlying infections cause stress on the body. A dysregulated HPA axis affect cortisol production and cortisol rhythms, leading to low morning cortisol (when it should be high), making it difficult to wake feeling refreshed.
2. Brain Fog and Difficulty Concentrating
Do you struggle to focus, remember things, or stay mentally sharp? Chronic fatigue can affect cognitive function, making it difficult to complete tasks, follow conversations, or retain information. This may be due to increased inflammation, especially in the neurons (called neuroinflammation) but may also be in the brain. Mitochondiral dysfunction, oxidative stress, gut dysbiosis and detoxification impairment may also contribute to brain fog and issue with memory and concentration.
3. Unexplained Muscle and Joint Pain
Frequent muscle aches, joint stiffness, and body discomfort without an apparent cause may be linked to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or other underlying conditions like fibromyalgia. This is likely caused by all the same mechanisms in the previous points, but specifically chronic inflammation, nervous system dysregulation, energy depletion and impaired tissue repair will all contribute to the sensation of pain.
4. Frequent Headaches or Migraines
Chronic fatigue is often accompanied by persistent headaches or migraines, which can make daily life even more challenging. Dehydration, nutritional deficiencies, and stress can contribute to this symptom, along with neuroinflammation, poor circulation, mitochondrial dysfunction and detoxification issues that is often associated with chronic fatigue.
5. Digestive Issues and Food Sensitivities
Fatigue and gut health are closely connected. If you experience bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or food sensitivities along with chronic exhaustion, your digestive system may need support. Chronic systemic inflammation seen often in chronic fatigue can lead to a dysregulated immune system, and also a dysregulated nervous system. Creating the perfect environment for increased nervous and immune sensitivity, especially in the gut, as this is the seat of our immune system. Often gut issues may also be a driving cause of fatigue or chronic fatigue, so it is essential to investigate the health of the gut when addressing this.
6. Increased Sensitivity to Stress
If minor stressors feel overwhelming or you experience heightened emotional responses, it could be due to an already dysregulated HPA axis and nervous system. Stress is a bodily response to perceived threats. After a long time of the body creating an overreaction to minor stressors, that occur every day in our busy lifetimes, the nervous system gets tightly wound and programmed to overreact. Being in a constant stress response depletes the body if vitality and nutrients, causing inflammation and further imbalance, often leading to fatigue. Therefore, if you are experiencing fatigue and sensitivity to stress that everyone else seems to be coping with, then working only your nervous system is essential.
7. Weakened Immune System
The immune system can become depleted after a long period of chronic stress, due to an overactivity in creating an inflammatory response, and never getting a chance to replenish. It is essentially immune system burn out, which can lead to the immune system becoming underactive and lead to more colds, flus and infections, or it can cause the immune system to become hyperactive, causing autoimmune conditions. Autoimmune conditions and chronic inflammation can lead to feelings of chronic fatigue.
8. Sleep Disturbances
Even if you feel exhausted all day, you may struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep at night. Disruptions in sleep patterns can worsen fatigue and make recovery even more difficult. As mentioned previously, HPS dysfunction can cause cortisol to peak and drop at unnatural times, this often sees cortisol peaking at nighttime when it should be naturally dropping off in preparation for sleep. This can cause issues falling asleep, issues staying asleep and feed the cycle of poor sleep and waking unrefreshed.
9. Feeling Lightheaded or Dizzy
Experiencing dizziness when standing up or moving too quickly could indicate low blood pressure, HPA dysfunction, dehydration, poor circulation, blood sugar imbalances or a deeper imbalance in the autonomic nervous system affecting the body's ability to properly regulate its blood pressure. These factors can disrupt oxygen and blood delivery to tissues and energy fluctuations, which may be contributing to feelings of fatigue.
10. Mood Swings, Anxiety, or Depression
Fatigue isn’t just physical—it can impact your mental and emotional well-being too. Many people with chronic fatigue experience increased anxiety, irritability, or symptoms of depression. Whether you are experiencing emotional stress from the debilitating reality of chronic fatigue, or whether mental health issues are contributing to your fatigue, addressing mental health, neuroinflammation, detox and liver health as well as gut health is essential to addressing fatigue holistically.
Chronic fatigue isn’t something you have to live with. Recognizing the signs early and incorporating holistic lifestyle strategies, creating a support network can make a significant difference in your energy levels and overall well-being. If you’re struggling with persistent exhaustion, consider working with a holistic practitioner to find natural solutions tailored to your unique needs.
Hi, I’m Meg, a naturopathic herbalist helping people reconnect with their health through the power of plant medicine. I offer personalized herbal consultations Australia-wide, combining traditional wisdom with modern naturopathic principles to create tailored herbal support for your unique needs.
The information provided on this website is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please see my full disclaimer here.
