Page 32 - LIN-November-2024-web-file

Fatigue–A Functional Medical Doctor Perspective

by Svetlana Kogan, M.D.
t’s The subject of energy in its various could have been at play beyond the patient's own control, like their
I expressions has always piqued my interest. mother’s prenatal stress levels, their genetic predispositions via testing,
I have authored numerous articles and posts detailed family history of fatigue or other functional symptoms.
about Masaru Emoto’s experiments with frozen Close consideration is also given to the triggering events in the
water crystals to document how invisible energy patient’s life like infections, allergic reactions, physical or emotional
changes the structure of water, and, since we are trauma, exposure to new medications or supplements, exposure to
mostly water, how energy affects every aspect environmental toxins or mold, or abrupt dietary and/or lifestyle
of our livelihood. Today I wanted to expand changes.
this discussion to include the most common Functional doctors will take time “digging” for the above and
complaint we hear as doctors when patients other perpetrators of fatigue, like family and job environment, alcohol
come into the office: fatigue or lack of energy. or drug use, or nutrient deficiencies. We need to understand and
To a functional physician, fatigue represents a loss of energy build a solid doctor-patient relationship to understand our patient’s
balance. The most challenging to treat are those patients who have experience, and this cannot be a rushed process. We then identify and
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). By the time they come to see a remove the obstacles to the body’s normal functioning.
functional doctor, most of them have been evaluated already, and no Fatigue is often a result of imbalanced relationships between
medical or psychiatric reason was found for their chronic tiredness. various body systems, and the treatments often involve a detailed
Classically, for the diagnosis of CFS to be made, the fatigue must be modification of lifestyle and routine. I also collaborate with my
present for at least 6 months continuously and at least 4 out of these patients on optimizing their sleep, breathing, heart rate variability,
8 symptoms should be present: tweaking their exercise routine, and putting together a customized
• Tender neck lymph nodes dietary plan chock full of nutrients and vitamins. I see one of my
• Sore throat healing roles as that of a holistic coach who works with my patients
• Joint pain regularly on helping them to balance their interpersonal relationships,
• Muscle pain and sometimes deal with stress, isolation, or grief. These especially
• Headaches important attributes of our consciousness are essential to how we
• Unrefreshing sleep perceive fatigue or pain.
• Impaired memory or concentration In treatment of CFS, the supplements which I recommend are
• Unusual malaise after exertion customized to each patient, to provide metabolic support, maintain
An extensive list of medical diseases should be ruled out before cellular membrane integrity, mitigate effects of oxidative stress on the
someone receives a diagnosis of CFS. This means that a thorough body, and to provide the detoxification or inflammation reduction if
laboratory and diagnostic radiology workup has been done first. necessary. These supplement recommendations are uniquely tailored
Most patients with CFS who have come to see me, desperate for in their composition, dosage, and duration for each patient, because
holistic solutions, already tried either antidepressants, analgesics, or I believe that a cookie-cutter approach to supplements, where people
antivirals, and for most of them these conventional treatments did just take those supplements they see being promoted on TV, can often
not hold much promise. I feel that what was missing for these folks be detrimental rather than helpful.
was a functional medicine approach, because it considers all the By empowering patients with the tools to manage the pieces of the
subtle, often missed possibilities underlying chronic non-specific healthy energy puzzle, functional doctors heal the person as a whole
fatigue. Special attention is paid to antecedent contributors, which energetic being, rather than just treating their disease.
The author of ‘Diet Slave No More!’, Svetlana Kogan, M.D. is a Board-Certified Internal Medicine,
Holistic & Functional Medical Doctor with 25 years of experience.
Her website is CustomLongevity.com Office Phone: 239-676-6883
32 32 www.LifeInNaples.net