It may seem obvious for you to feel tired, but fatigue is more than tiredness. Fatigue makes it hard to get out of bed night and day. It is feeling bereft.
It hampers the body’s ability to lead a normal life. Repeated fatigue can affect your concentration and health.
We are equipped to get seven to eight hours of sleep every day. But getting too little sleep can make you physically exhausted.
If fatigue is not resolved with a proper diet and nutrition or the underlying cause, it can lead to serious mental disorders later in life. When fatigue affects the safety of those around, it becomes a public concern. People with severe fatigue may behave similarly to those who are intoxicated.
See your doctor to get diagnosed for the underlying physical or mental health condition causing fatigue.
What are the types of fatigue?
There are two main types:
- Physical: Physical fatigue brings difficulty in doing normal activities such as climbing the stairs. The symptoms include muscle weakness and pain in the body.
- Mental: This type of fatigue makes concentration a little tough. Staying focused is difficult for such people. They may feel sleepy all the time and difficulty staying awake.
Is sleepiness the same as fatigue?
Sleepiness can occur when a person does not get sound sleep or sleep enough. Sleepiness can sign some underlying condition that interferes with sleep, such as restless leg syndrome or sleep apnea.
Though both seem similar, there is a difference that needs to be noted. Sleepiness can be characterized as short-term fatigue. If you get enough sleep or quality sleep, it can be treated.
However, fatigue is linked to a health condition. If it turns chronic, it is called chronic fatigue or myalgic encephalomyelitis.
What are the causes of fatigue?
Fatigue is associated with other health conditions and lifestyle factors.
Mental health issues
Stress, Anxiety, Depression can also cause fatigue body due to insomnia.
Other mental health issues that can contribute to fatigue include:
- sorrow and grief
- emotional exhaustion or burnout
- eating disorders
- boredom
- life events, such as moving home or getting a divorce
Sleep problems
Fatigue is also common due to:
- working late night
- changing working shifts
- sleep apnea
- narcolepsy
- insomnia
- jet lag
- reflux esophagitis
Chemicals and substances
The deficiency of vitamins and minerals can all affect sleep and cause fatigue.
The use of caffeine or alcohol is also linked to disturbed sleep, which can lead to a fatigued body. Using products containing nicotine can also disrupt sleep.
Endocrine and metabolic reasons
Conditions that affect hormones are also linked to fatigue. For instance,
- kidney disease
- diabetes
- cushing’s syndrome
- pregnancy
- hormonal contraception, such as due to birth control pills and the implant
- thyroid conditions
Drugs and medications
Drugs also lead to fatigue. For instance,
- medications to relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety
- antihypertensives
- steroids
- antihistamines
- sedatives
Heart and lung conditions
Heart and lung conditions cause inflammation by affecting the blood flow in the body. This makes your body fatigued. For instance,
- asthma
- pneumonia
- arrhythmias
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- heart problems like valvular heart disease, coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure
Infection
Infections also put you at the risk of infections. For instance,
- malaria
- tuberculosis
- infectious mononucleosis
- cytomegalovirus
- HIV
- flu
- hepatitis
Chronic pain
People with chronic pain may not get sound quality sleep, for their sleep is disturbed. Such people wake up feeling tired and poorly rested. This combination can cause chronic tiredness and fatigue.
Too much or too little activity
Doing too little activity or overdoing may cause lethargy which promotes fatigue.
What are the symptoms of fatigue?
The main sign related to fatigue is mental or physical exhaustion. A person with fatigue may not feel rested even after sleeping.
It is difficult for them to carry out work, household chores, daily activities.
Most common symptoms related to fatigue may include:
- aching or sore muscles
- a lack of motivation
- gastrointestinal problems, such as bloating, constipation, abdominal pain, or diarrhea
- headache
- irritability or moodiness
- difficulty concentrating or learning new tasks
- slowed response time
- vision problems
The symptoms tend to get worse if the underlying cause is not worked upon. The signs may, and symptoms become intense after activity or exercise.
When to see the doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you:
- have a fever
- are experiencing unexplained weight loss
- are feeling sensitive to colder temperatures
- are sleepy but unable to fall sleep
- are depressive
If you have worked on the lifestyle factors that contribute to fatigue, such as poor appetite, stress, lack of rest but still feeling fatigued, make sure to book your appointment.
Diagnostic tests
With the help of diagnostic tests, you can learn about the underlying cause of fatigue. Your doctor may additionally ask for imaging tests, urine and blood tests, mental health questionnaires to come to a conclusion.
Your doctor may also order a sleep study to check for a sleeping disorder.
What are some lifestyle changes that can help address fatigue?
Preventive measures can do help with managing the symptoms of fatigue. For instance:
- Staying hydrating
- Practicing healthy eating habits
- Exercising for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week
- Getting enough sleep
- Working on stress
- Practicing yoga and meditation
- Not overburdening yourself with work
- Abstaining from alcohol, tobacco, and other illicit drugs
Ayurvedic treatment for fatigue
According to Ayurveda, fatigue is caused due to the imbalance of the three doshas or life energies, namely Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Vata is the predominant cause of fatigue, while other doshas are also held responsible. Aggravated Vata levels can cause poor circulation of plasma nutrients to all the cells and tissues, leading to fatigue.
The treatment at any point focuses on balancing the doshas and remove toxins called Ama from the body. This is done with the help of medicinal herbs and oil in the treatment administered to the patients by our experts.