Fatigue refers to a subjective feeling of tiredness. Also known as tiredness, exhaustion, languor, languidness, listlessness, and lassitude, fatigue is different from weakness, since the former has a gradual onset while weakness may not. Also, fatigue can be relieved by periods of rest while the latter has variable rest duration before it is relieved.
Causes
Fatigue has various causes. According to Mayo Clinic, it may be likely due to excessive physical activity, jet lag, lack of sleep, lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating habits, medications like cough medicines and antihistamines, and usage of alcohol and drugs. Certain conditions may also lead to fatigue. These conditions include anemia, anxiety, cancer, diabetes, emphysema, heart disease, thyroid disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, and traumatic bran injuring among others.
Symptoms
Fatigue presents a number of symptoms. According to Better Health, sleepiness and chronic tiredness are on top of the symptoms. Other symptoms include:
- headache
- dizziness
- sore muscles
- slowed reflexes
- mood swings
- appetite loss
- reduced immune system function
- blurry vision
- short-term memory problems
- poor concentration
- low motivation
Management
The following are some management tips for fatigue.
Napping
Sleep and rest are important aspects of health and they also help eliminate fatigue. According to Everyday Roots, a person needs a place that is conducive for napping or sleeping. Also, he had to find a time not too close to bed time for him to allow his body to recover and get a boost in energy.
Positioning
Positioning the body helps combat fatigue through blood flow. According to Best Health Magazine, the person lies on his back and uses pillows to prop his feet at a level higher than his head. Alternatively, he lies on an adjustable exercise bench or surface that slants. As per the publication, such practices promote blood flow to the brain, which boosts alertness
Bananas
Eating bananas is also helpful in eliminating fatigue. According to Top 10 Home Remedies, bananas are rich in potassium, which is needed by the body to transform glucose into energy. As per the publication, it is recommended to eat one banana or two per day. Also, bananas can also be made into a shake or smoothie to hydrate and energize the body at the same time.
Fatigue is not as deadly as serious as fracture; however, it may affect both a person’s physical and psychological health. Thus, it has to be managed before it deteriorates a person’s optimal level of function.
