Oct 24, 2008 11:47 pm US/Eastern
HealthWatch: Fight Fatigue With Motion, Not Sleep
Doctors Say By Taking 'Power' Or Short Naps You May Actually Be Training Your Cells To Be Even More Tired
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Feeling fatigued lately? Well, in the hustle and bustle world we live in, it's no surprise.
And while you might be inclined to settle into a quiet space and "take five" -- new research says not so fast.
If you're tired you're just like millions of New Yorkers, but rest may not be the answer.
"If you just rest for too long, then your muscles start becoming weaker," said Dr. Philip Bialer of Beth Israel Medical Center. "And as you become more deconditioned, that seems to promote the fatigue."
When you're feeling fatigued your first impulse may be to kick your feet up on the couch, but studies show that may actually train the body's cells to be even more tired.
Scientists now believe fatigue has a real, molecular basis involving two processes: one that helps fight infection; the other creates energy.
"If you can start introducing more activity into your life and some exercise -- walking, getting on a treadmill for even five or 1- minutes -- that may lower the amount of cytokines in your system, those inflammatory chemicals," Dr. Bialer said. "And it may boost the mitochondrial activity which helps boost your energy."
Upper East Side resident Michael Colette told CBS 2 HD said a normal part of his everyday routine is to work up some kind of sweat.
"When I'm tired sleep helps, but I think fatigue … exercise certainly gets the blood flowing," Colette said. "[There is] nothing like making your body sweat to have that internal awakening."
Rest is important, however, especially if you're feeling under the weather. Just don't get overzealous.
"If you're sick, if you have an acute illness, you may need to rest at first," Dr. Bialer said. "But sometimes people prolong that rest for too long and that just prolongs the fatigue."
As much as it may contradict reason, fighting fatigue is best done by keeping your body in motion.
"I think most people think that getting rest is going to fix it and they say I'm too tired to work out, but typically speaking, if they work out they'll actually end up feeling better, more energized," Upper East Side resident Sophie Pachella.
If you experience fatigue that lasts for more than a week -- and especially if it's accompanied by fever or joint swelling -- call your doctor.
Treatable medical problems, including depression or autoimmune illnesses, could also be a cause.
About 20 percent of Americans claim to have fatigue intense enough to interfere with having a normal life.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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