Fatigue Can Be a Mental or Physical Symptom
By Elaine Jeffrey, LPN | New Britain Health District at June 1, 2024 | 9:15 am | Print
Fatigue is defined as a feeling of lack of energy and motivation, it can be physical or mental or a combination of both. About 20 percent of Americans claim to be fatigued, physical causes account for 20-60% of the time and mental account for 40-80 percent.
In today’s world we all experience fatigue at some time in our lives. Many causes of stress include over stimulation, depression, lack of sleep, boredom, work as well as mineral and vitamin deficiencies. When our immune systems are fighting infection we also will become fatigued. Many medicines can cause fatigue such as blood pressure medicines, antihistamines, muscle relaxers and antidepressants.
There are many causes of fatigue that include physical and mental symptoms associated with medical conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome. Normal fatigue in healthy individuals can be relieved in a few hours to about a day when physical and mental activity id reduces.
A test of strength is used to diagnosis muscular disorder. True weakness is substantial, while perceived weakness has to put more effort into a task. Central muscle weakness is an overall exhaustion of the whole body and peripheral weakness is exhaustion of individual muscles.
There are several fatigue syndromes such as, Epstein Barr chronic fatigue syndrome, post viral infection fatigue syndrome and adrenal syndrome. Although many doctors have a hard time diagnosing these syndromes at first. A patient must have chronic fatigue for at least six months and concurrently have four or more of the following symptoms; impaired memory, difficulty concentrating, post exertion malaise, muscle pain, multi joint pain without redness or swelling, tender cervical or auxiliary nodes, headache, sore throat.
There are things we can do to alleviate fatigue such as; do not watch TV or use your computer before bed time. Try having a pre sleep ritual such as taking a hot bath, reading a good book or having a warm glass of milk. Always eat properly with foods rich in nutrients such as fruits, vegetables, lean meats. Make a schedule for chores, shopping children’s activities and follow it to avoid being over worked. Get fresh air; go for a walk outdoors the air and exercise will help to relieve stress in turn will diminish your fatigue. Make sure you consult your physician should the symptoms continue.
