Sunday Thoughts (tired vs. fatigue)

Is there a difference between tired and fatigue?

The short answer is yes… and no.

Confused yet? I know I was when I first started looking into this.

So here's the deal: it's totally normal to feel tired from time to time. Everyone does. We all live such crazy lives these days. And most folks are always "plugged in." Which doesn't help either.

So feeling "run down" or in need of a nap is normal. Even if you need a nap everyday — that's fine.

The problem comes when you're feeling fatigued… all the time. When feeling tired isn't just a state that passes, but instead a way of life. And it seems like no matter what you do… that sense of exhaustion is always there. Even if you rest.

That sense of exhaustion is a medical condition that professionals call Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. And the CDC thinks that as many as 836,000 to 2 million folks suffer from this medical condition.

And it's no joke. This condition interferes so much with people's lives that some have reported feeling totally wiped out after a simple walk down the street. And 1 in 4 with this condition are confined to a bed — for hours or days — because they're so exhausted.

Sounds terrible, right? Well, the worse issue with this condition is not only the exhaustion but that it can be really hard to diagnose. Because there's no single test doctors can use to determine if someone has it or not.

Luckily though, there are some things you can look out for to let you know if you need some help. Things like:

• Joint & muscle pain
• Digestive issues
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Chills & sweats

Now, just like anything else — everyone is different. So some folks may have these things going on and others may have completely different things happening. But the key is… if you think you need help, consult your doctor.

Because there is some good news… the medical pros have had great success restoring quality of life through nutrition, detoxing, hormones, and lifestyle changes. So there is hope for people. I hope this information helps. If anything it makes me appreciate all the nights of sleep I get — even the bad ones.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday. Maybe even take a nap.