Fatigue: What are the symptoms?
After a long, busy day, you might look forward to a wonderful night’s sleep. The next morning, you wake up refreshed and ready to take on the day. But what if that’s not how it works for you? Fatigue can have significant effects on your functioning throughout the day. If you’re always tired, it can even become quite distressing.
However, to solve sleep problems, you first need to understand where they come from. After all, fatigue can have many different causes. You might also wonder: How much sleep do I need? Knowing this is also helpful in your fight against poor sleep and fatigue.
What is fatigue?
Everyone experiences fatigue at some point and may occasionally have trouble sleeping. Fatigue is a normal phenomenon and a signal from your body that it needs recovery, both physically and mentally. A good night’s sleep can often work wonders for normal fatigue.
What is extreme fatigue?
However, sometimes fatigue doesn’t go away after one or more nights of sleep. With regular poor sleep, extreme fatigue can occur. This may manifest as difficulties falling asleep, waking frequently throughout the night, or even waking up feeling tired after a night’s sleep.
Extreme fatigue is very frustrating and negatively impacts all aspects of life. Work, studies, and household tasks become much more challenging, and overall health may suffer. It can feel like getting plenty of sleep doesn’t solve the problem.
How common is fatigue?
Fatigue is a common complaint, affecting about 1% of people who visit their general practitioner. However, it is often difficult to determine the underlying cause of fatigue. In about 20 to 30% of patients presenting with fatigue to their doctor, an underlying cause is actually identified.
What are the symptoms of fatigue?
With extreme fatigue, you feel tired for an extended period. In addition to fatigue, symptoms such as concentration problems, longer recovery times after activities, reduced enjoyment in enjoyable activities, slower reaction times, forgetfulness, lethargy, and general fatigue can occur. Extreme fatigue has far-reaching consequences for daily life.
What are the causes of fatigue?
Diseases and side effects
Many different diseases can lead to fatigue. In some cases, fatigue is the only symptom. Fatigue occurs in conditions such as thyroid disorders, anemia, infectious diseases, cancer, systemic exertion intolerance disease (formerly known as chronic fatigue syndrome), and lung diseases. A food allergy, such as gluten intolerance, can also cause fatigue.
Mental causes
Not only physical complaints can lead to fatigue. Mental conditions, such as burnout or stress, can also result in fatigue.
Pay attention to your diet
Are you always tired? Then take a close look at your diet. A fluctuating blood sugar level leads to significant fatigue. You can resolve this by eating fewer sugars and simple carbohydrates. A lack of important minerals, vitamins, and nutrients also leads to fatigue.
Daily rhythm
A good daily rhythm can help ensure that poor sleep is a thing of the past. Rhythm and routine are very important and can assist you in your fight against fatigue.
Fatigue is a common complaint that can have both physical and mental causes. Extreme fatigue can negatively affect daily functioning and quality of life. It is important to take fatigue seriously and seek out the underlying causes. A healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular daily rhythm, and good sleep habits, can help reduce fatigue. If fatigue persists, it is advisable to consult a doctor to identify the specific cause and explore appropriate treatments.
Striving for a balance between physical and mental well-being is essential to combat fatigue and regain energy for a satisfying and productive life.