Fatigue

What is fatigue?

Fatigue is a fairly common health condition, however as it can be a symptom of a number of illnesses, it can be quite difficult to define. Essentially fatigue is the feeling of low energy or a strong lethargic feeling that leads to an over-whelming urge to sleep or rest.

It is not surprising then that the most commonly thought of reason for fatigue is lack of sleep or consistent disruptions to the sleeping pattern.

How much sleep should I get?

It is generally thought that a good uninterrupted night’s sleep will help concentration during the day and help to strengthen the body’s immune system, which in turn will help prevent illness.

• Children
Small children need a lot of sleep. For example toddlers may need up to 14-16 hours a day and schoolchildren will need up to 10-12 hours a day. This number will reduce as the child gets older.

• Adults
The typical amount of sleep needed among adults is generally thought of as 6-8 hours a day. This figure can of course differ from one person to another as everyone is different.

What are the other causes of fatigue?

Other than lack of sleep, fatigue can often be caused by different illnesses/diseases. Fatigue can be a symptom or by-product of suffering from these conditions.

• Anaemia
Iron is needed in the body to produce more red blood cells, without an abundance of red blood cells it is difficult to move oxygen around the body and in turn this can cause tiredness or lack of energy.

Anaemia can be quite common among women who have prolonged or heavy periods, also within pregnant women or people suffering from bleeding within the stomach. This will lead to a lack of iron and therefore fatigue can be a symptom of anaemia.

• Infections
It is often normal for someone who has suffered from an infection to develop fatigue. For example when having the flu, someone will feel tired for a few weeks following the infection.

• Depression
Depression that is of a medical nature will often manifest in fatigue. Depression and fatigue will often fuel each other in a viscous cycle.

• Diabetes
Someone who has diabetes will often suffer from fatigue due to lack of insulin in their body. Insulin is used to utilise glucose in the body to provide energy, lack of this will inevitably lead to low energy levels, leading to fatigue

What are the solutions for fatigue?

If fatigue is not an obvious symptom of any of the above conditions, then the main solution to fatigue is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. A balanced diet consisting of low cholesterol levels will provide the body with the necessary vitamins and minerals that enable the body to perform its processes; exercise will provide for a more rejuvenating body, providing a cardiovascular system that will deliver more oxygen throughout the body, hence providing more energy and vitality.

Further Advice

If fatigue continues, seek the advice of a doctor. Especially if other symptoms include:

• Night sweats
• Weight change
• Breathlessness
• Thirst
• Swollen glands (Thyroid)