Feeling tired all the time? Feel like sleeping after your lunch
break? Ever experienced that there are days that you’re energy is
so low? Probably you are overworked or always under stress? You
may be experiencing fatigue.
Fatigue is a common health complaint. Around 20% of Americans
experienced excessive fatigue that is enough to interfere with
their normal life. However, one of the hardest terms to define and
a symptom of many different conditions. Fatigue, also known as
weariness, tiredness, lethargy, exhaustion is generally defined as
a feeling of lack of energy and motivation. It is not the same as
drowsiness, but the desire to sleep may accompany fatigue.
Fatigue is a symptom, rather than a specific disease or disorder.
People who are fatigued feel tired all the time in both body and
mind. A person suffering from fatigue has slowed reflexes and
reduced interest in engaging in daily functions. Excessive fatigue
is also a known risk factor for workplace and car accidents.
Fatigue can trigger from a variety of causes such as undiagnosed
medical conditions, unhealthy lifestyle choices, workplace issues,
emotional concerns and stress. It can also be caused by a number
of factors working in combination.
Many diseases and disorders can trigger fatigue, including flu,
anemia, sleep disorders, tuberculosis, hepatitis, chronic pain,
heart and lung problems. Malnutrition, obesity and vitamin
deficiency can also rouse fatigue.
Excessive workload, the lack and too much of exercise can also
make a person worn out and experience fatigue. Common lifestyle
choices such as too much sleep, alcohol, drugs, sleep
disturbances, and poor diet are also factors. Individual
circumstances such as events that impact a person can also cause
fatigue. These may include personal illness or injury, illnesses
or injuries in the family, unhealthy personal relationships, too
many commitments or financial problems.
Decrease in blood pressure could also mean a slowdown in the
amount of work the heart is doing, which can lead to a feeling of
fatigue. Sometimes, the drug works not only on the heart, but also
on the central nervous system. Muscle relaxants work to decrease
the contraction of muscles. This relaxation can lead to total body
relaxation, which may cause an individual to feel fatigued.
To battle fatigue, take out some of the stress of the day. Take a
midday stroll or get up 15 minutes earlier to give yourself more
time to start your day. Whether you walk, do gardening or take a
swim — or do anything that gets you moving, you’ll likely notice
you have more stamina. Try to include at least 30 minutes of
moderate physical activity. While 30 minutes is the minimum
recommendation, you may need up to an hour of moderate activity
daily to maintain fitness and a healthy weight. Set priorities and
learn to say no. Put aside a time each day to do something you
enjoy.
Fatigue can be a normal and important response to physical
exertion, emotional stress, boredom, or lack of sleep. However, it
can also be a non-specific sign of a more serious psychological or
physical disorder. If fatigue is not relieved by enough sleep,
good nutrition, or low-stress environment, an evaluation by a
doctor is advised. Because fatigue is a common complaint,
sometimes a potentially serious cause may be overlooked.
