Chronic Fatigue & Burnout

Author: Rohan Smith | Functional Medicine Practitioner | Adelaide, SA Quick Answer Chronic psychological stress may fuel systemic inflammation by dysregulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and altering cortisol signalling. This sustained activation is associated with elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), which can affect gut barrier integrity, immune regulation,…

Author: Rohan Smith | Functional Medicine Practitioner | Adelaide, SA Quick Answer Sleep hygiene encompasses the daily habits, environmental conditions, and behavioural routines that prepare the autonomic nervous system for restorative sleep. Effective sleep hygiene may support the transition from sympathetic activation to parasympathetic dominance, allowing cortisol levels to decline and pineal gland melatonin secretion…

Author: Rohan Smith | Functional Medicine Practitioner | Adelaide, SA Quick Answer Emotional trauma may trigger a sustained Cell Danger Response (CDR), a biological mechanism described by Robert Naviaux in which mitochondria shift from ATP energy production toward cellular defense. When the autonomic nervous system remains in a state of heightened vigilance — often associated…

Author: Rohan Smith | Functional Medicine Practitioner | Adelaide, SA Quick Answer Mycoplasma species are cell-wall-deficient bacteria that may persist inside host cells, evading immune detection and resisting standard beta-lactam antibiotics. In susceptible individuals, chronic Mycoplasma infection has been associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-alpha), and molecular mimicry — processes that may…

Author: Rohan Smith | Functional Medicine Practitioner | Adelaide, SA Quick Answer Contrast therapy combines cold water immersion and sauna bathing to trigger hormesis, a biological process where brief, controlled stressors activate cellular repair pathways. Sauna heat stimulates Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) that support cardiovascular adaptation, while cold exposure increases norepinephrine and Cold Shock Proteins…

Author: Rohan Smith | Functional Medicine Practitioner | Adelaide, SA Quick Answer Swimming may be one of the most effective exercises for people with chronic fatigue syndrome, persistent joint pain, or stress-related conditions. Water buoyancy reduces joint load by up to 90%, while hydrostatic pressure supports venous return and circulation. Rhythmic breathing patterns during swimming…

Author: Rohan Smith | Functional Medicine Practitioner | Adelaide, SA Quick Answer Social connection directly influences stress hormone regulation, immune signalling, and nervous system balance. Research by Julianne Holt-Lunstad and colleagues demonstrates that low social support and perceived loneliness are associated with hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation, altered cortisol rhythms, elevated inflammatory markers such as C-reactive…

Author: Rohan Smith | Functional Medicine Practitioner | Adelaide, SA Quick Answer Myofunctional therapy, a set of targeted oropharyngeal exercises sometimes called “face yoga,” may reduce snoring frequency by 36% and decrease obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) severity by approximately 50% according to a meta-analysis by Camacho et al. published in Sleep (2015). These exercises strengthen…

Author: Rohan Smith | Functional Medicine Practitioner | Adelaide, SA Quick Answer Ice baths and cold-water immersion at 10-15 °C may activate the vagus nerve, increase plasma dopamine by up to 250% above baseline, and stimulate norepinephrine release through the sympathoadrenal pathway. These autonomic and neurochemical responses are associated with improved vagal tone, enhanced anti-inflammatory…

Author: Rohan Smith | Functional Medicine Practitioner | Adelaide, SA Quick Answer Sleep disturbance is a defining feature of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME), affecting up to 95% of individuals according to the Institute of Medicine (2015). Most people with CFS/ME experience non-restorative sleep, insomnia, hypersomnia, or disrupted circadian rhythms. These disturbances are associated with neuroendocrine,…