Overview
Fatigue generally refers to a lack of energy and motivation or exhaustion that can be either physical or mental, or both. Apathy is a feeling of indifference that may also accompany fatigue. Weakness and fatigue are symptoms and not diseases.
About 20% of Americans claim to have such intense fatigue that it interferes with their normal life. Physical fatigue has been estimated to be responsible 20% – 60% of the time, while mental or emotional fatigue is responsible for the other 40% – 80% of cases.
Symptoms
Both mental and physical fatigue are only symptoms of an underlying cause. Fatigue may be described in different ways by those who suffer from this state, however, general symptoms include the following:
– Weakness
– Lack of energy
– Constantly tired or exhausted
– Lack of motivation
– Difficulty concentrating
– Difficulty starting and completing tasks
Causes
The possible causes of fatigue are numerous. Most of the diseases known to man, generally list fatigue as a possible associated symptom. Additionally, normal healthy individuals can experience fatigue as a result of physical and mental exertion. However, normal fatigue can become abnormal if it becomes chronic, extreme, or prolonged.
The causes of fatigue can be classified under several broad groups, not limited to, but including:
– Cardiac and Pulmonary: various heart diseases and conditions; asthma, pneumonia
– Infectious: Hepatitis; HIV; influenza; malaria; many other infectious diseases
– Psychiatric (Mental): depression; anxiety; drug or alcohol abuse; grief
– Medications: antidepressants; anti-anxiety and sedative medications; other
– Metabolic: anaemia; diabetes; kidney or liver disease; electrolyte abnormalities
– Sleep problems: sleep apnoea; insomnia; pregnancy; work shift work and shift changes
– Other: cancer; fibromyalgia; obesity; normal muscle exertion; chemotherapy
Solutions
Naturally if you feel that you have been suffering from fatigue, you should consult your family physician. In addressing fatigue symptoms, there can be medical treatment including iron supplements for anaemia, medications to control blood sugar or regulate thyroid function, antibiotics to treat infection, or vitamin supplements.
However, you can also treat and prevent fatigue at home, by trying the following:
– regular exercise, even brief walks
– eating a balanced diet, especially a healthy breakfast
– getting enough sleep
– dealing with emotional problems
– regulating your stress and workload
– drinking plenty of fluids, especially water; and avoiding caffeine and alcohol