Fatigue is an extreme state of weakness or tiredness which may be physical, mental or a combination of both. It may be seen as a transient fatigue that occurs due to acute reasons and lasts only for a few days or may be a cumulative fatigue which results from building up of fatigue due to various causes over a period of time.
The major reasons for fatigue are
1. Lifestyle causes such has a sedentary lifestyle with lack of exercise, habits like alcoholism or drug abuse, or too much physical or mental exertion leading to severe weakness and tiredness.
2. Anemia is a condition of reduction in red blood cells which are required for the proper oxygenation of all organs of the body including the brain. A lack of red blood cells leads to lowered oxygen supply thereby resulting in fatigue.
3. Mental issues such as depression, extreme grief as in case of loss of a loved one, or anxiety are almost always associated with severe fatigue with aversion and inability to perform any kind of physical or mental activities.
4. Underlying diseases such as thyroid disorders are seen to cause severe fatigue.
5. Sleep disturbances such as lack of sleep, sleep apnea, or too much sleeping may also lead to symptoms of fatigue.
6. Excessive work-place stress which may be mental stress due to a competitive work environment or a physical stress due to long shifts or night shifts may cause fatigue.
7. Aggressive treatments such as bone marrow transplants, chemotherapy or prolonged treatments as with blood pressure medications or antihistamines may be associated with side effects of fatigue.
8. Dehydration.
The most common symptoms of fatigue are:
1. Tiredness or sleepiness with daytime drowsiness or great lack of sleep
2. Headache
3. Dizziness
4. Aching muscles
5. Slow response and improper decision making
6. Moody, irritable, impatient, nervous and anxious
7. Loss of appetite
8. Short term memory impairment and forgetfulness
9. Lack of concentration in work and lack of motivation
10. Visual impairment with blurry vision If the symptoms do not resolve in a couple of days even with sufficient rest and relaxation, a doctor must be consulted who would perform appropriate blood and urine tests along with other investigative procedures to find any underlying illnesses.
The treatment would mainly consist of
1. Appropriate treatment of any underlying diseases
2. Counseling in cases of mental illnesses as underlying cause of fatigue
3. Improving eating habits and following a healthy and fresh diet
4. Regular exercises help a lot to improve the blood supply and general health of the body
5. Sufficient hydration of the body with an average of 3 l of water per day is essential
6. Calming techniques such as meditation and yoga are very helpful in overcoming fatigue People with extreme fatigue should be very cautious and take immediate help especially if they are involved in professions such as driving, flying or activities involving the use of sharp instruments.