What is fatigue?
Fatigue is a feeling of tiredness, exhaustion, or lack of energy. It's a common symptom that can affect anyone. There are several types and causes of fatigue:
- Physical fatigue is the feeling you get after extended periods of physical activity, such as working out at the gym or going for a long run. Your muscles get worn out from prolonged use.
- Mental fatigue involves exhaustion of the mind rather than the body. It can occur after long periods of concentration or when you're mentally drained from stress or lack of motivation.
- Chronic fatigue describes constant, long-term fatigue that is not relieved by sleep. This severe fatigue lasts for more than 6 months and can often have unknown causes. Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is one disorder characterized by chronic fatigue.
Some common causes of fatigue include:
- Lack of sleep
- Poor diet or nutrition
- Dehydration
- Living with a medical condition like anemia, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, heart disease, etc.
- Side effects of medications
- Stress, anxiety, or depression
- Excessive physical exertion
- Pregnancy
- Infection - your immune system works hard to fight it off
To help reduce fatigue, it's important to identify and treat any underlying causes. Lifestyle changes can also help:
- Get enough high-quality sleep each night
- Exercise regularly to increase energy levels
- Follow a healthy diet with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water
- Reduce stress through relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation
- Avoid excessive alcohol intake which can disrupt sleep
If you experience persistent or chronic fatigue that greatly impacts your life, be sure to see your doctor. They can check for any medical conditions and refer you to a specialist like an endocrinologist, if needed. Treatment will depend on the cause.
Balance Wellness Clinic provides customized fatigue relief options. Our endocrinologists specialize in diagnosing and treating hormonal imbalances that often contribute to fatigue. We offer bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, nutrition planning, and lifestyle changes to help patients regain their energy and zest for life.