Fatigue in adults
It is not uncommon to hear complaints from patients of constant, almost never passing fatigue. How dangerous is this symptom, what health problems cause fatigue and can it be eliminated?

All of us have experienced fatigue (fatigue) at least a couple of times in our lives. Usually, such sensations arise due to good reasons: a newborn child does not let you sleep at night, returned late at night from a party, worked hard, or simply did not really rest. However, adult fatigue that continues and has no obvious cause can be a real problem. Moreover, fatigue is a very common condition. Approximately 6 out of 100 people who go to see a therapist complain of a constant feeling of tiredness, excessive fatigue.

Sometimes this condition turns into the so-called chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a serious condition that unsettles for a long time, requiring attention and full treatment.

Causes of fatigue in adults

We can distinguish two groups of causes that lead to fatigue.

Physical reasons. Fatigue in adults can be caused by a number of diseases and conditions:

  • anemia;
  • decreased activity of the thyroid gland;
  • diabetes or high blood sugar levels in prediabetes;
  • heart failure;
  • chest diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
  • Addison’s disease – severe problems with the adrenal glands;
  • bowel problems (inflammatory processes, celiac disease and stool problems);
  • an overactive bladder or an enlarged prostate that causes you to wake up frequently at night
  • sleep disorders, including snoring and sleep apnea;
  • vitamin D deficiency;
  • various types of fevers, including mononucleosis.
  • pain caused by other diseases, and not allowing you to sleep well at night;
  • pregnancy.

We must not forget about the side effects of medications, for example, beta-blockers, drugs that lower blood cholesterol, certain analgesics, some antidepressants.

Psychological causes of fatigue. It is important to emphasize that mental fatigue is no less common than physical overwork. If the brain is tired, it sends signals to the body about being unwell, then the whole body as a whole can be disturbed. Constant anxiety, clinical depression can be provocateurs of severe fatigue of the whole organism.

Eating disorders (and this is a mental problem) can cause constant fatigue, especially in the presence of excessive thinness or obesity.

Sleep disturbance, and any, be it insomnia or interrupted sleep, also causes fatigue, severe fatigue during the day.

Naturally, stress is a common cause of fatigue because it interferes with sleep, or because you constantly worry about yourself.

Other possible reasons include:

  • bereavement, moral upheaval, experienced emotional shock;
  • domestic violence;
  • not a rational way of life, when we try to cram too many things into our lives.

Lifestyle causes of fatigue include:

  • drinking large amounts of alcohol;
  • unhealthy unbalanced diet;
  • taking illegal drugs;
  • excessive physical activity or its complete absence;
  • night shift work;
  • important life events, such as a wedding or a move.

In many cases, no specific cause of fatigue is found.

Fatigue symptoms in adults

The main complaint is, of course, constant fatigue, feeling tired in the morning, lethargy, weakness. But there may be other complaints. There are a number of symptoms that may suggest that your fatigue may be due to an underlying problem:

  • you wake up exhausted, not rested, even after a good night’s sleep;
  • constant lack of motivation to start the day;
  • inability to do what you like;
  • sudden bouts of exhaustion that go away and then come back;
  • shortness of breath, incomprehensible pain, muscle weakness and any other complaints.

In general, fatigue and tiredness can be affected in different ways. A person may have less strength, energy and desire for regular exercise, they can easily get angry or begin to isolate themselves from friends and society. There may be problems with concentration, attention and memory.

Treating fatigue in adults

Treatment will depend on the condition that is causing the fatigue. Often there is improvement almost immediately after treatment. But in some cases, it may take several weeks for the fatigue to subside.

Diagnostics

If fatigue persists, affects the quality of life, you need to consult a therapist. To find the cause, the doctor will ask a series of questions. If necessary, he can check your weight and height, lymph nodes (if they are enlarged). The doctor will also evaluate the thyroid gland (whether it is enlarged), check the eyes.

A doctor may order a blood test to rule out physical causes of fatigue – low iron levels (anemia), low levels of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism), diabetes, vitamin deficiency such as B12 or D.

Usually no other tests are needed, but if certain medical conditions are suspected, a chest x-ray or abdominal ultrasound may be needed.

Modern treatments

Non-medical therapies that have shown to be effective for some people include meditation, yoga, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Good sleep can also help you manage fatigue – go to bed at the same time every night and stick to healthy sleep habits.

A healthy diet and regular physical activity will also help improve sleep and reduce fatigue – eat small meals often throughout the day, with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, avoid junk food, and try to cut down on alcohol and caffeine, as these can interfere with sleep.

If you feel tired, talk to your doctor about whether it is safe to drive or carry out your normal work duties.

Prevention of fatigue in adults at home

When normal day-to-day fatigue sets in, there are ways to boost your energy levels. For example, drink a cup of coffee or tea – a little caffeine will help you cheer up, give you a psychological and physical lift, especially if you have problems with morning fatigue.

  • Set aside 30 minutes for walking. If you can’t go outside, walk around the house for 10-15 minutes 2-3 times a day.
  • Take a nap. A midday nap will help overcome fatigue during the day. Sleep between 20 and 30 minutes as research has shown that napping for 40 minutes or longer can have the opposite effect and make you feel weak instead of rested. Also, don’t go to bed too late.
  • Don’t drink alcohol. Reduce your alcohol intake or even avoid it for a few weeks. Men will be surprised how much better they feel if they give up drinking for a couple of weeks.

Still, go to the doctor – a physical examination can reveal problems that may be causing fatigue.

Popular questions and answers

Answered our questions about fatigue allergist-immunologist Marina Veselova.

How to distinguish ordinary fatigue from the symptoms of the disease?

First, ordinary fatigue fatigue is usually a temporary condition that occurs after intense physical, mental and emotional stress.

Secondly, there is a certain correlation between the severity of the load and fatigue. That is, the stronger the load, the more pronounced fatigue. And this is not a pathology. It passes quickly.

Thirdly, the most important difference is that after proper rest and sleep, strength is restored quite quickly. The person feels refreshed. All of the above is evidence of normal fatigue.

When is fatigue dangerous and a cause for alarm?

It is a completely different matter when a person has the so-called unmotivated fatigue. He fully eats, sleeps enough, but almost any (even not very intense) physical or mental stress entails severe fatigue, a desire for physical inactivity. And this is already a reason to think! And see a doctor. Especially if it lasts for quite a long time, several months.

This state of asthenia (pathological fatigue) may indicate various conditions and diseases:

● pathology of the endocrine system (hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus);

● blood diseases (severe anemia);

● infectious diseases (hepatitis, HIV);

● autoimmune diseases;

● severe diseases of the liver and kidneys;

● oncological diseases;

● neurological diseases;

● mental illness (depression);

● Taking certain medications.

The most interesting and, I would say, mysterious syndrome is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). It, in addition to a certain set of symptoms, is characterized by increasing chronic weakness, which sometimes leads to the loss of a person’s ability to work. More often, the development of CFS is associated with herpesvirus infections (HHV-6, HHV-7 or EBV).

When should you see a doctor for fatigue?

If you experience a persistent feeling of fatigue that occurs after performing simple actions, and does not go away after sleep and rest, you should consult a doctor to find out the reasons. After all, it may turn out that chronic fatigue hides, for example, the onset of an oncological process, which can be completely cured in the early stages! Or, in the case of CFS, consultation with an immunologist and a neurologist is required to treat the infection and correct the growing neurological condition.

Is it possible to cope with fatigue with folk methods?

In this case, it will be clearer to give an example. Even after a banal ARVI, asthenia, weakness, and increased fatigue sometimes really persist. She may be some time. Can go on its own. But, if someone wants to speed up this process, then here you can cope with folk methods. The best of which, paradoxically, is gradual physical activity. You should start with short walks in the fresh air, increasing them over time.

It is not bad to brew rose hips and drink it, sometimes replacing tea. Aromatherapy can also help – if there is no allergy, use the aromas of bergamot and orange.

All of the above folk methods, of course, are more suitable for correcting slight asthenia after SARS. More serious conditions require medical advice. And it is worth remembering this so as not to miss time and not lose health!

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