Fatigue can be an uncomfortable condition, but it could also be an indicator of serious medical issues. If your energy levels remain stagnant for an extended period, consult with a physician.
Mild fatigue often stems from overwork, lack of sleep, stress, boredom or illness and may respond well to home treatments or medication.
Asthenia
Fatigue can occur as the result of physical or mental exertion, as well as be an indication of serious medical conditions like a heart attack or stroke. Asthenia, however, is more serious and affects strength and energy of the entire body – it’s important to distinguish the two conditions in order to receive effective treatments for each one.
Medical professionals can diagnose asthenia through a comprehensive physical exam and health history review, ordering blood tests to check for anemia and other possible health conditions, asking about symptoms experienced, and prescribing the necessary treatments.
If you are dehydrated, drinking more fluids can be effective; in extreme cases, hospitalization and IV fluid administration may be required. If diagnosed with anemia, your physician will typically suggest iron supplements or blood transfusion. While blood transfusions usually take place in hospital settings, some individuals can receive them at home.
Certain medications may lead to fatigue and asthenia. Chemotherapy and some anticancer drugs can trigger drug-induced myopathies – skeletal muscle complications including weakness and elevated muscle enzyme levels that result from drug treatments – while other possible culprits include cyclosporin, Fluorouracil, Cytosine Arabinoside (CA), Cycocorticoids at high doses as well as high doses of corticoids can have the same adverse effect.
Asthenia can make people feel weak and tired all of the time, even when not active. This condition can significantly interfere with daily activities as well as cause depression or anxiety disorders; memory problems and concentration impairment may also arise as a result. If this sounds familiar to you, consulting your physician about antidepressants or cognitive behavioral therapy could improve your quality of life and enhance quality of living.
Asthenia can also be prevented with healthy diet and regular exercise. Focus on eating foods high in calcium, protein and low in fat. Avoid caffeine which may make you more tired. Regular exercising has also been proven to boost moods and aid sleep quality; at least 30 minutes of light physical activity daily should be considered beneficial.
Anemia
Anemia occurs when there are too few red blood cells for oxygen delivery to the entire body. Anemia symptoms vary; some mild forms can be easily managed while severe forms may require hospitalization for treatment. Anemia may be caused by nutritional deficiencies, blood loss and various diseases; nutritional supplements and lifestyle factors are all possible triggers.
People suffering from anemia often struggle to fight infections, while some forms are linked to increased risks of cardiovascular issues. People living with severe anemia have difficulty moving around freely and can even feel fatigued and breathless during restful states.
Anemia can often be traced to nutritional deficiency. This could include too little iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid in one’s diet; or chronic health conditions which impede production of healthy red blood cells like kidney disease, autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis or cancers that interfere with production of red blood cells such as kidney failure or cancers.
If a person is anemic, their doctor can order blood tests to monitor his hemoglobin levels and check for any abnormal amounts of other blood cells. He might also request a test known as reticulocyte count which measures immature red blood cells produced from bone marrow to determine whether sufficient red blood cells are being created in their number.
Some types of anemia can be diagnosed by asking about family history and lifestyle factors. People who have had blood disease or an autoimmune disorder in the past are at greater risk, as are alcoholics or individuals taking certain medicines; sickle cell anemia and thalassemia are two forms that are inherited through parents.
If anemia is due to a health issue, treating it will typically resolve it. If red blood cell counts are low due to lack of red blood cell production in bone marrow stimulation by taking medications like erythropoietin. If bleeding issues cause it, however, a blood transfusion might be needed in order to replace damaged cells with new ones.
Hyperthyroidism
The thyroid gland produces hormones to control your metabolism–how your body uses energy–but sometimes that butterfly-shaped gland can go into overdrive, secreting too many thyroid hormones into the system and speeding up metabolism to an alarming rate, leaving you feeling restless, anxious and possibly hungry even though you’re eating normally. If this occurs to you, your doctor may diagnose hyperthyroidism (thyrotoxicosis).
Your doctor can make an accurate diagnosis by collecting a blood sample and testing for levels of thyroxine and triiodothyronine, two forms of thyroid hormones. He or she will also inquire into your family medical history and any previous health problems you have had, as well as any medications, vitamins or supplements taken at the same time as treatment. It’s essential that all details about any medications, vitamins or supplements be shared with him/her so they may properly assess and diagnose you.
Hyperthyroidism can be caused by several conditions. One such is Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder which triggers your immune system to attack your thyroid. Graves’ tends to run in families and primarily affect women. Graves’ can also arise post surgery. A goiter, more frequently found among older people and located either on either side of their neck can also result in hyperthyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism symptoms include an elevated heart rate, difficulty sleeping and sweating, difficulty concentrating, feeling hot or warm all of the time and rapid weight loss. People may also develop Graves’ disease or an iodine deficiency leading to prominent bulging eyes known as exophthalmos. Untreated hyperthyroidism may lead to brittle bones as its excess thyroid hormone restricts calcium absorption by your body resulting in calcium depletion in bones that had once been strong.
Hyperthyroidism can be managed with medications that lower thyroid hormone production, such as methimazole and propylthiouracil (PTU). Both have serious side effects such as liver damage in roughly one person per dose; PTU should not be used during pregnancy due to its potential transmission from mother to fetus, nor on children as its use could damage bone marrow.
Depression
Depression is a mental health condition that causes fatigue. Unlike normal sadness or grief, depression can impair your interest and ability to perform daily tasks – lasting two weeks or longer. Depression may be side effects of medications; it can also occur with chronic fatigue syndrome and post-traumatic stress disorder. If you suspect depression may be present for you, talk with your physician immediately about treatment options available to you.
For diagnosing depression, your doctor will review both symptoms and family history. They may conduct physical exams or conduct tests such as blood work or X-rays in order to rule out other possible causes that cause similar symptoms. If they suspect depression as the culprit, they will refer you to a mental health expert for evaluation and treatment.
An initial diagnosis of depression can be frightening; yet, it can also feel validating to have something tangible to identify how you’re feeling. A psychiatrist will assess your symptoms and create a personalized treatment plan, often including antidepressant medicine to address energy loss as well as psychotherapy sessions to address other aspects of wellbeing.
Medication for depression can help alter your brain chemistry and help you feel better. Your doctor may prescribe antidepressants – distinct from sedatives, stimulants or “uppers.” Medications often take time to work so it is essential that you stick with your treatment plan even if symptoms return quickly; discontinuing medication will likely have the opposite effect.
Psychotherapy — or talk therapy — can help identify and change unhealthy emotions, thoughts and behaviors that contribute to depression. Your therapist can teach skills for managing depression while strengthening relationships. In addition, they may recommend additional treatments such as exercise, mindfulness or clinician-guided self-help techniques as complementary approaches.
Stay healthy by eating healthily, getting plenty of rest and staying physically active. Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs which may worsen depression symptoms; seek treatment immediately if experiencing depression and fatigue; if thinking about harming yourself or another individual seek assistance immediately as this could increase risk.
