Fatigue: Causes and Treatment Options

fatigue-causes-and-treatment-options

Fatigue is usually due to lack of sleep – but even serious illnesses can be to blame. You should know about fatigue!

What is fatigue?

Fatigue usually indicates that the body is missing something. Most are sleep , but also lack of oxygen, exercise or too little fluid are among the causes. Sometimes fatigue also means that the body’s immune system is fighting viruses or bacteria or that there is a serious illness. If the defect is eliminated, the symptoms usually subside.

What happens with tiredness?

Fatigue causes various physical reactions such as:

  • heavy eyelids
  • slowed thinking
  • slowed movement / reaction
  • general exhaustion

What causes fatigue?

When we are tired, the most common trigger is not enough sleep. If we do not sleep well for one or two nights, it’s not a serious health issue. It does not look the same, however, if we do not come to rest for a long time at night – then there may be serious sleep disorders that should be treated. In addition to sleep disorders , fatigue can have other causes, such as:

  • anemia
  • low blood pressure / high blood pressure
  • acute infections like a cold or flu
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • (chronic) heart and lung diseases
  • Hormonal and metabolic disorders, such as hypothyroidism  or diabetes (here you can find out if you are diabetic )
  • Gastrointestinal diseases
  • iron deficiency
  • stress

Some people also suffer from the so-called spring fatigue .

When should I see the doctor?

If you do not feel sick and the fatigue is only temporary or decreases when we sleep well, there is usually no need for further action. However, there are also cases where the doctor should research for possible reasons. These cases include:

  • Sleep does not feel restful for a long time
  • The tiredness does not disappear even with sufficient sleep and recovery
  • It puts an enormous strain on everyday life
  • It occurs suddenly and for no apparent reason again and again and lasts for a long time
  • There are other symptoms and symptoms such as lack of concentration , nausea , dizziness, anxiety, fever or pain

What helps against fatigue?

If there is no pathological cause behind the symptoms, small tips against exhaustion often help These include:

  • Changing showers: If you shower alternately warm and cold, not only stimulates the circulation, just the cold water makes awake. The shower should therefore be finished with cool water. 
  • Coffee – but also tea: that coffee is a real pick-me-up is well known. But tea also awakens: Green tea contains polyphenols that can prevent or alleviate fatigue. Ginseng or ginko are medicinal plants that, when infused, not only give a tasty tea, but also have a stimulating effect on the nervous system and get the circulation going.
  • Fit with cereal: If you do not have a cup of tea, you can grab a cereal bowl. Because grain is an excellent “fuel” supplier. Straight oats provide the necessary power with fiber, vitamin B1, protein and carbohydrates. Together with yogurt and fruits makes the mix really lively. A little tip: A handful of walnuts in the cereal provides better blood circulation, faster oxygen transport and less fatigue.
  • Drink a lot: One can not say it often enough: We should drink at least two liters of water every day, and we would like to drink more. For those who do not drink enough dehydrated and suffers from long-lasting fatigue.
  • Movement in the morning: Anyone who cycles to work in the morning instead of taking the train or the car, not only does something for his fitness, but also drives away any tiredness.
  • Make sure you have a healthy sleep rhythm: We should get up and go to sleep every day at the same time so that the inner clock is ticking properly and we sleep well. Most people need seven to eight hours of sleep per night to feel fit.