Top 10 Most Common Symptoms I Hear from Clients And What Actually Helps
As a nurse who works with people struggling with “mystery” or chronic symptoms, I hear a lot of the same things over and over, symptoms that are very real but too often dismissed or misdiagnosed.
The good news? Many of these symptoms have clear patterns and fixable root causes. Here's what I hear most and what I do to help.
1. “I’m exhausted all the time, no matter how much I sleep.”
Possible Root Causes:
Blood sugar crashes
Underlying infections (like Epstein Barr Virus or Lyme)
Poor mitochondrial function
Adrenal dysfunction (typically after long-term stress)
What helps:
Eat a high-protein, low-sugar breakfast
Support mitochondrial health with B vitamins, magnesium, and CoQ10
Gentle nervous system support like breathwork.
2. “I feel wired but tired. I can’t shut my brain off at night.”
Possible Root Causes:
Cortisol dysregulation
Blood sugar imbalance
Nervous system hyperactivation
What helps:
Eat a small protein + carb snack before bed
Add magnesium glycinate at night
No screens (or the news) 1 hour before bed, try reading, stretching, or journaling instead
3. “I’m bloated after everything I eat.”
Possible Root Causes:
Low stomach acid
SIBO (small intestine bacteria overgrowth)
Eating too quickly or in a stressed state
What helps:
Take digestive bitters or apple cider vinegar before meals (do not do this if you have ulcers)
Chew slowly, eat sitting down, and pause between bites
Support gut motility with walking after meals
4. “I have brain fog. I just can’t think clearly.”
Possible Root Causes:
Blood sugar swings
Inflammation (gut, mold, or immune-related)
Poor sleep quality
Hormone fluctuations
What helps:
Balance blood sugar: protein, fat, fiber every meal
Eliminate inflammatory foods (gluten, dairy, processed food)
Improve sleep hygiene + support detox pathways (make sure you are hydrated, not constipated, and sweating regularly- exercise and sauna)
5. “My heart races or skips for no reason.”
Possible Root Causes:
Electrolyte imbalance
Low magnesium or potassium
Dysautonomia or POTS-like symptoms
Estrogen drop
What helps:
Daily electrolyte powder with sodium, potassium, magnesium (no added sugar)
Avoid caffeine on an empty stomach
Stay hydrated and support minerals
Discuss Hormone replacement therapy with your doctor if menopausal or perimenopausal
6. “I’m constipated and nothing works.”
Possible Root Causes:
Dehydration
Low stomach acid
Magnesium deficiency
Low fiber diet
What helps:
Warm lemon water with sea salt in the morning
Magnesium citrate at night
Eat more fiber- aim for 25-35 grams per day + water
Decrease the amount of water you drink with meals, this slows digestion.
7. “My legs won’t stop moving at night. I have restless legs.”
Possible Root Causes:
Low magnesium, iron, or potassium
Nervous system irritation
Stress or overuse of stimulants
What helps:
Magnesium glycinate or threonate before bed
Check ferritin levels
Try electrolytes with sodium, potassium and magnesium, no added sugar
Limit caffeine after 12 PM
8. “I wake up anxious for no reason.”
Possible Root Causes:
Blood sugar crash during the night and cortisol spike
Poor sleep quality
Gut-liver issues
Nervous system dysregulation
What helps:
Eat within 30 minutes of waking (protein-heavy)
Add a bedtime snack if you wake between 2–4 AM
Try gentle morning movement and sunlight as soon as you wake up
9. “I’m cold all the time: hands, feet, nose, even in summer.”
Possible Root Causes:
Subclinical hypothyroid (meaning your thyroid is beginning to underperform, but your lab work is still “normal”)
Low iron or B12
Poor circulation
What helps:
Test full thyroid panel (not just TSH)
Increase iron-rich + B12-rich foods
Try contrast showers to boost circulation (hot-cold alternate). You can also do this with sauna-cold plunge.
10. “I’ve seen multiple doctors and everyone says I’m fine, but I don’t feel fine.”
Possible Root Causes:
You’re being evaluated by labs, not as a whole person.
“Normal” isn’t the same as optimal
Symptoms are treated separately instead of finding the root
What helps:
Work with someone who listens and looks at the full picture
Create a symptom timeline to spot patterns
Support foundations: nervous system, gut, sleep, vitamins and minerals
If any of these symptoms sound familiar, you're not alone. The body always speaks in patterns, you just need someone who can listen, look deeper, and connect the dots.
You can feel better, even if you've been told “everything looks fine.”