Low Energy |
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Everyone feels lethargic, weary,
tired, or exhausted at some point
in their lives. All of these terms
can be used interchangeably to define
Low Energy, which basically means
the experience of the lack of energy
that is necessary to optimally perform
routine tasks. Low Energy is not
synonymous with drowsiness. Drowsiness
is an intense desire to sleep whereas
Low Energy is characterized by low
energy or an overall lack of motivation.
Approximately
twenty percent of Americans complain
of intense Low Energy that interferes
with their day-to-day lives. Low
Energy is a difficult condition
to diagnose and treat. It is important
to determine the cause of chronic
Low Energy before beginning a
treatment plan.
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Causes and Risk Factors
Low Energy can be caused by physical
or medical as well as emotional
or neurological causes. An estimated
twenty to sixty percent of total
cases of Low Energy are caused
by physical factors and approximately
forty to eighty percent of total
cases of Low Energy result from
emotional causes.
Physical or medical
causes
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Sleeping
disorders including insomnia,
sleep apnea, excessive sleep,
and irregular sleeping habits
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Heart
diseases such as congestive
heart failure or cardiomyopathy
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Lung
diseases such as asthma, Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
(COPD), and pneumonia |
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Nutritional
disorders such as obesity, malnutrition,
and vitamin or mineral deficiency
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Endocrine
disorders such as diabetes, hypoglycemia,
and thyroid disorder |
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Gastrointestinal
disorders such as Gastroesophageal
Reflux Disease (GERD) and peptic
ulcers |
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Infectious
diseases such as tuberculosis, urinary
tract infections, mononucleosis,
hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, and other chronic
diseases |
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Connective
tissue disorders such as arthritis,
lupus, and fibromyalgia |
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Other conditions
such as cancer, anemia, pregnancy,
and menopause |
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Change in
physical activity pattern such as
excessive exercise, lack of exercise,
or excessive manual labor |
Emotional
or neurological causes
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Neurological
disorders such as multiple sclerosis
and Lou Gehrig disease |
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Psychological
issues such as depression, stress,
anxiety, and grief |
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Side effects
of certain medications such as beta-blockers,
ACE inhibitors, calcium channel
blockers, heart medications, psychological
medications, muscle relaxants, and
diuretics |
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Pain killers,
especially opiate-based drugs |
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Narcotics
or stimulants such as nicotine,
recreational drugs, and alcohol
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Other causes
such as jetlag and work pressure
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