Fatigue

The definition of fatigue is extreme tiredness. It is common for people to feel fatigued once in a while. For example, you can feel fatigued after a long week at work or after a difficult day with the kids. You can also feel fatigued after eating a big meal. These reasons are prevalent and nothing to worry about. However, if you are feeling exhausted all the time for no apparent reason, there could be an underlying reason.

What Does Fatigue Mean?

When many people define fatigue, they call it a feeling of sleepiness. While a feeling of sleepiness is included in the fatigue definition, there is much more to it than that. If you are asking yourself, “what is fatigue?” the answer would be tiredness, a desire to sleep, lack of motivation, and a feeling of weariness.

Fatigue Causes

There are several causes of fatigue. Some you can control; others you may not be able to control. Fatigue can be caused by various lifestyle factors, psychological conditions, and medical conditions.

  • Alcohol use
  • Alcohol abuse
  • Caffeine use
  • Excessive physical activity
  • Long periods of inactivity
  • Not enough sleepiness
  • Use of antihistamines
  • Use of cold and cough medications
  • Unhealthy eating habits
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Stress
  • Grief
  • Diabetes
  • RLS (restless legs syndrome)
  • Obesity
  • Cancer
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
  • Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
  • COPD
  • Anemia
  • Acute liver failure
  • Emphysema
  • Heart disease

Fatigue Symptoms

There are many symptoms of fatigue. Many of these symptoms can disrupt your daily life and routine. While it is common to experience the symptoms of fatigue occasionally, you should see a doctor if you are feeling fatigued for two or more weeks.

If you have tried to reduce stress, eat a healthy diet, and have made it a point to get more rest, and you are still experiencing these symptoms, you should see a doctor.

If the fatigue becomes constant, you may be suffering from chronic fatigue. The chronic fatigue symptoms are similar to those of simple fatigue. However, the chronic fatigue symptoms are much more severe.

  • Weakness
  • Muscle aches
  • Headaches
  • Extreme sleepiness
  • Lack of motivation
  • Inability to enjoy fun activities.
  • Irritability
  • Becoming overly emotional
  • A desire to lie in bed all-day

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment

If you suffer from chronic fatigue, you do not have to accept it and live with it. There are treatments available that can help. The treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome is treatments to relieve the symptoms.

  • Antidepressants:  Many people who suffer from chronic fatigue are also suffering from depression. If you take an antidepressant to treat depression, it may make it easier to deal with the issues associated with chronic fatigue. A mild antidepressant will also help sleep and relieve any muscle pain you are experiencing due to chronic fatigue.
  • Sleeping pills:  Taking either an over-the-counter sleep aid or having one prescribed by your doctor is a great way to treat chronic fatigue. By taking a sleeping pill, you will be able to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. This will prevent the feeling of tiredness associated with fatigue.
  • Start a bedtime routine:  Going to bed simultaneously every night will help with chronic fatigue. Also, it would help if you avoided napping. While you may have the urge to nap throughout the day, it can only do you harm when it is time to go to sleep at night.
  • Avoid caffeine:  Caffeine is a stimulant, making it a powerful force behind chronic fatigue syndrome. If you cut the caffeine out of your diet, you will be more relaxed and will be able to sleep better.
  • Psychological counseling:  By speaking with a counselor, you can discuss coping with your chronic fatigue not to create problems in your everyday life.
  • Graded exercise:  Inactivity is a significant cause of chronic fatigue. By exercising more often and doing a range of motion and stretching exercises, you become more active. These exercises need to be done in just a few minutes a day and can make a huge difference in your level of fatigue.
  • Level out your activity:  If you are having a good day, you do not want to go overboard with your activity level. If you overdo it on a good day, you will have many more bad days.
  • Reduce stress:  While it may be easier said than done, reducing stress is a great way to treat chronic fatigue. If you find yourself getting overwhelmed, you should step back, calm down, and relax. There are many stress reduction techniques that you can try to keep your stress level down.
  • Massage:  Getting a nice massage is a great way to combat fatigue.
  • Acupuncture: Acupuncture, a method of relieving the symptoms of several conditions through the use of needles, is a great way to relieve the symptoms of chronic fatigue.
  • Yoga:  Yoga will not only add some activity into your daily routine, but it is also a very relaxing way to be more active. This can have a significant impact on your level of fatigue.
  • Anti-fatigue mats:  These are made to reduce fatigue used when standing or sitting on hard surfaces for long periods. These mats can be made of rubber, vinyl, carpeting, and wood.

Compassion Fatigue

Compassion fatigue is commonly seen in doctors, nurses, and teachers. This type of fatigue is a combination of emotional, spiritual, and physical exhaustion. It is caused when a person is the caretaker for patients who suffer from physical distress or severe emotional pain. While you are watching a person suffer, it can take everything out of you simultaneously.

Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue

  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Impaired judgment
  • Impaired behavior
  • Loss of hope
  • Anger
  • Depression
  • Lack of self-worth
  • Lack of morale
  • A desire to isolate oneself
  • Change in spiritual beliefs

Managing Compassion Fatigue

There are many things that you can do and try not to do to manage compassion fatigue.

DO

  • Talk to someone
  • Exercise
  • Eat properly
  • Get enough sleep
  • Take time off from work.
  • Explore interests outside of medicine
  • Understand that your pain is normal

DON’T

  • Blame others
  • Complain to coworkers
  • Work harder or longer.
  • Self medicate
  • Neglects your own needs

Muscle Fatigue

Muscle fatigue is the ability of a muscle to generate the necessary force. Muscle fatigue commonly occurs after exercising vigorously. Muscle fatigue can cause pain, soreness, or weakness in the muscles. To prevent muscle fatigue, you should avoid overdoing it during your workout.

Adrenal Fatigue

Your body produces a variety of hormones, and each is essential to life. When your body is not correctly producing a particular hormone, you can suffer from adrenal fatigue.

Adrenal Fatigue Symptoms

Doctors have differing opinions as to whether adrenal fatigue is an actual condition. However, many doctors and those who suffer from this condition are sure that this condition exists.

There are several symptoms of adrenal fatigue. If you are suffering from this condition, you can exhibit one or even several of the symptoms.

  • Body aches
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Low blood pressure
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of body hair
  • Feeling lightheaded
  • Skin discoloration
  • Difficulty sleeping

Adrenal Fatigue Treatment

There are a few treatments available to relieve the bothersome symptoms of adrenal fatigue.

  • Eat plenty of fruits.
  • Eat plenty of vegetables.
  • Eat lean meat
  • Get adequate sleep
  • Exercise
  • Do not eat junk food.
  • See a doctor if the problem persists.

Adrenal Fatigue Diet

If you are suffering from adrenal fatigue, your diet is essential. If you stick to the diet, you will notice relief from the symptoms.

When You Should Eat

  • Breakfast:  It is essential for someone with adrenal fatigue to eat in the morning; the sooner, the better. It would help if you never ate later than 10 am. This will help replenish your blood sugar and give you the fuel to start the day.
  • Lunch:  You should go with an earlier lunch, rather than a later one. By lunchtime, your body will have used up all of the nutrients consumed at breakfast. The ideal time to eat lunch is between 11 am and 11:30 am.
  • Snack:  You should have a small, nutritious snack between lunch and dinner. This will give you the energy to sustain yourself for the cortisol dip, which typically occurs between 3 pm and 3:30 pm.
  • Dinner:  The ideal time for dinner is between 5 pm and 6 pm.
  • Bedtime snack:  Having a tiny snack before bed can help you with any sleep issues due to adrenal fatigue.

What You Should Eat

The best defense against adrenal fatigue is a diet complete with fat, protein, and complex carbohydrates. Therefore, each meal and snack should contain these nutrients.

  • Salt:  It is also a good idea to add salt to your diet. Salt contains valuable minerals needed to fight adrenal fatigue. Sea salt and Celtic salt are the best types.
  • Vegetables:  Eating between six to eight servings of vegetables a day is an excellent defense against adrenal fatigue. Brightly colored vegetables, such as green, red, orange, yellow, and purple, are the best vegetables you can eat when suffering from adrenal fatigue.
  • Proteins:  Proteins such as dairy, eggs, fish, meat, and foul, are all excellent protein sources. You want to avoid processed proteins, such as packaged lunch meats and processed cheese.

Recipe to Treat Adrenal Fatigue

This is an excellent recipe to treat the symptoms of adrenal fatigue. In addition, this recipe is rich in ingredients that are helpful in adrenal support.

  • 16 ounces of green beans
  • 1 cup of chopped celery
  • One onion
  • One zucchini
  • 1 cup of spring water
  • 1 cup of tomato juice
  • Two tablespoons of honey
  • 1 cup of chicken broth
  • One teaspoon of paprika

Begin by chopping the vegetables, then stir all of the ingredients into a large pan. Allow the soup to cook over medium heat for about one hour or until the vegetables are tender.

Extreme Fatigue in Women

Women often experience extreme fatigue. It can make everyday activities difficult.

Causes of Extreme Fatigue in Women

There are several types of fatigue. Each type has similar symptoms but different causes. If you are experiencing any fatigue, there are treatments available. These treatments will make everyday tasks seem much less complicated.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR