Constant Fatigue

Constant fatigue for many, has become a liability of their lives. No matter what they do, they just cannot seem to shake it off. Sleeping early or not indulging in extra strenuous activities - neither seems to help. If you are someone who finds that they are suffering from constant fatigue, and this has started affecting your efficiency severely, then it is time you do something about it, cause in the long run, it will have a major effect on your health - both mental and physical.

Causes

It is very difficult to identify the causes of constant fatigue. It could vary from person to person. However, there are certain signs that are indicative of this condition. Here are the same.

Changing Situations: If there has been a major change in your life, a life altering incident, then it could lead to constant fatigue. Fatigue need not be only physical, it could be mental as well. These life-altering events could include anything from moving to a new place or separating from someone. Divorce is a major factor that leads to chronic fatigue as well.

Other Events: Loss of someone close could cause grief and fatigue. So also unemployment and a life-threatening ailment or disease.

Hormonal Imbalance: Hormonal imbalance is experienced by all women sometime or the other in their lives. During menopause and pre-menopause, hormonal imbalance is at the very peak which can cause severe and constant stress in them.

Stress and Pressure: Stress or worry about a job, a relationship, or a very demanding situation can also lead to continuous fatigue. Add to that the pressure (either internal or external) that others put on you or is self induced and fatigue will not be very far away.

Substance Abuse: Certain substances like alcohol can cause fatigue. It has also been known that an artificial sweetener 'aspartame' can also lead to this condition.

Improper Diet: Some people do not maintain healthy eating habits. They eat unbalanced meals and do not follow proper meal timings either. As a result, it affects their adrenal rates and the melatonin production. Which further leads to insulin resistance and low metabolism. All this imbalance can lead to a lot of stress and constant fatigue.

Continuous fatigue, if not treated in time can lead to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (when fatigue starts becoming a recurrent phenomenon).

Symptoms

There are certain symptoms which are indicative that one is suffering from this condition. These are.

• People who suffer from severe fatigue experience chronic tiredness. It is as if fatigue and tiredness go together. Even after they've slept for 8 hours or more and have made up on their lack of sleep, the tiredness does not seem to leave them.
• As a result they account of lack of energy and a desire to sleep constantly.
• They also report of having a loss of memory sometimes.
• Their overall productivity takes a severe beating.
• They become irritable and impatient.
• They might also suffer from depression.
• Fatigue and nausea are also seen to occur simultaneously.
• It may also be accompanied by aches and pains all over - in the muscles or joints.
• There might be major changes in appetite - usually resulting in a loss of appetite.
• There might be no motivation to do anything.
• Constant fatigue and headaches might also occur together. These headaches might be severe and could lead to migraine problems as well.
• There could be a major loss in concentration and focus.

Treatment

There are certain preventive measures that you can take so that you are not plagued by this condition in the first place. But if the symptoms have already started, the following treatment forms will help.

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eat well-balanced meals at regular times.
• Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night. Make sure that the sleep is consistent and regular.
• Drink lots of water throughout the day.
• Do exercises for at least 20 minutes per day. It could be walking or simple running or even gentle exercises like yoga or calisthenics that stretch the muscles.
• Avoid the intake of any substances like alcohol or drugs.
• Identify what is causing the stress and then try and correct it.
• Try to aim for a balanced work and personal life.
• Since continuous fatigue can lead to depression, sometimes doctors prescribe an antidepressant to the patient.
• Other medication forms may also be given for problems like concentration, anxiety, allergies etc.
• Multivitamins or omega 3 fish oil supplements may be administered to fight these symptoms.
• So also, liver detoxification might be carried out.

Constant fatigue can severely harm your health and lead to other major problems. It is advised that you keep a close check on the symptoms mentioned above and if you find that you are suffering from most of them, consult a doctor. The ideal situation, however, is that you maintain a healthy lifestyle and a positive outlook towards life so that constant fatigue never affects you.