Fatigue - Vitality Hormone Center

What is fatigue?

Fatigue or feeling tired and weak is extremely common. Most people have experienced fatigue at some point in their lives.

Fatigue is a subjective feeling of tiredness that has physical and mental components. It can range from mild tiredness to complete exhaustion that interferes with daily activities.

Some key things to know about fatigue:

• Physical fatigue relates to the body's energy stores and ability to keep going. It's often described as muscle weakness or exhaustion.
• Mental fatigue involves difficulties concentrating, mood changes, motivation issues, and problems with memory or decision making.
• Both physical and mental fatigue can seriously impact productivity, performance, and overall wellbeing.

What causes fatigue?

There are many potential causes of fatigue, including:

• Lack of sleep or poor sleep quality
• Anemia or low iron levels
• Dehydration
• Hormonal imbalances - If you suspect this, consider getting tested at Vitality Hormone Center!
• Chronic medical conditions like cancer, heart disease, thyroid disorders
• Infections
• Medications
• Emotional problems like stress, anxiety, or depression

Fatigue usually has an identifiable underlying cause. Seeking professional medical advice can often determine the reason and best treatment options.

Managing and coping with fatigue

Depending on the cause, fatigue can sometimes be improved with lifestyle measures like:

• Getting enough high quality sleep
• Staying hydrated and eating a balanced, nutritious diet
• Getting regular moderate exercise
• Reducing stress through relaxation techniques
• Being organised and allowing rest breaks between demanding tasks

For more persistent fatigue issues, additional treatment such as counseling, medications, hormone therapy, physical therapy, or managing underlying medical issues may be warranted.

The key is identifying the contributing factor(s) through checking in with your doctor, sleep specialist or other health provider. This allows tailored and targeted fatigue relief strategies to be implemented based on your situation.

When to seek help

It's important to discuss ongoing problematic fatigue with your doctor, especially if it:

• Is not improving with self-care
• Is interfering with work, social life or relationships
• Is co-occurring with other symptoms like pain, weight loss or sleep problems
• Starts suddenly or without an obvious trigger

Unexplained, chronic fatigue may indicate an undiagnosed health condition requiring prompt medical assessment. Seeking help can prevent complications and provide access to fatigue relief options you may not have considered.

Don't continue battling with exhausting fatigue on your own - consult a professional to explore solutions tailored to your circumstances. Relief may be easier than you think with today's treatment options.