fatigue blog updated 3-24-13
DESCRIPTION
Drs. Dino Pappas and Marie Tholl-Pappas discuss the causes and remedies to chronic fatigue, a medical condition which plagues a great many Americans today.TRANSCRIPT
Dr. Marie Tholl-Pappas
Dr. Dino Pappas
FATIGUE
Adrenal Fatigue “Bible”
• Scope of the Problem– “It is estimated that 80%
of adult Americans suffer some level of adrenal fatigue at some time during their life, yet it remains one of the most under-diagnosed illnesses in the US.” – James Wilson, ND, DC, PhD (Adrenal Fatigue Expert)
• Patient Friendly Text on the Topic
Key Organs That Respond To Stress
General Adaptation Syndrome
• Phase 1 = Acute Stress• Phase 2 =Coping,
Resistance & Adaptation
• Phase 3 = Exhaustion (body can’t cope)– Fatigue Sets In– Open Window Theory
• An open window for chronic disease (Diabetes, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Thyroid Disease, Cancer, Etc.)
The Importance of Kidney & Adrenal Hormone Balance
• Role of Kidney & Adrenal Hormones (Cortisol, Steroid Hormones & Epinephrine)– Control swelling & inflammation– Treat allergy symptoms– Cancer treatment & prevention– Assist with infection management– Immune & Auto-immune Disorders– Affect use & storage of carbs, proteins & fats– Assist with blood sugar regulation– Blood pressure regulation– Electrolyte Balance– Anti-oxidant function– Assist with sex hormone production (ex: menopausal women)– Sex Drive– Performance (Athletic, Academic, Recreational, Etc.)
Overwhelmed Stress Response
End Result of Chronic Stress = Disease
• Other Conditions– PMS– Severe Menopause
Symptoms– Insomnia
– Frequent Infections– Hypoglycemia– Alcoholism
Signs & Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue• Difficulty getting up in the
morning• Fatigue not relieved by sleep• Craving salty foods, sugary
foods or stimulants (caffeine)
• Lack of energy
• Increased effort to do every day tasks
• Decreased sex drive
• Decreased ability to handle stress
• Increased time to recover from illness, injury or trauma– *** Key Tip Off: Chronic
respiratory infections with a longer recovery period ***
• Mild depression• Increased PMS
• Increased symptoms with skipped meals
• Less focused thoughts
• Hard time remembering things
• Decreased tolerance
• Don’t wake up till 10:00 AM or later
• Afternoon (after lunch) “blues”• Feel better after evening meal• Decreased productivity
• Light headed when getting up
Steps to Identification & Recovery• Step 1: Adrenal
Fatigue Questionnaire http://www.canhealyourself.com/adrenaltest.pdf
• Step 2: Comprehensive Exam – Physical– Orthopedic– Neurological – Special Tests (Postural
Blood Pressure & Pupil Contraction)
• Step 3: Lab Testing (As Needed)– Saliva Hormone Testing
– Urinalysis– Blood Work
• Step 4: Formulate a Treatment Plan
• Step 5: Implement Specific Recommendations
• Step 6: Re-evaluate
Step 3: Laboratory Testing As Needed
• Saliva Hormone Testing – Can be used to measure cortisol, steroid & sex
hormones – Best single lab test for adrenal fatigue– Indicative of the actual hormone in the cell where
reactions take place & not the bloodstream– Easy to perform & Non-invasive– Can be used to test & retest– Recommended at least 4 Tubes (Morning, Noon,
Afternoon & Night)• Date & time of collection are written on all tubes & kept
in a journal• More tubes may be used to measure “lows” & “highs”
Saliva cortisol levels are low in the morning and high at night. This person has trouble waking up, is just fine in the middle of the day and can’t sleep at night.
Saliva cortisol levels are just fine in the morning, fine in the afternoon and high at night. This patient has trouble falling asleep at night.
Saliva cortisol levels are fine in the morning, dip middle of the day and return to normal at night. This patient has the afternoon blues.
Saliva cortisol levels are low in the morning, low middle of the day and normal at night. This patient has trouble getting up, has the afternoon blues, low energy in the evening and goes to sleep exhausted.
Questions
• Contact Info– 9442 W. 179th Street –
Tinley Park, IL 60487– Office: 708-532-CFIM
(2346)– Email:
• Office: [email protected]• Dr. Marie:
[email protected]• Dr. Dino: