Tiredness, dizzy, Exhausted, Chronic fatigue syndrome, Adrenal fatigue, No energy, Extreme fatigue, Chronic fatigue.
Root Cause of Disease
Fatigue can be caused by a number of factors working in combination, such as medical conditions, unhealthy lifestyle choices, workplace problems and stress. Fatigue is a common symptom of many medical conditions that range in severity from mild to serious. It’s also a natural result of some lifestyle choices, such as lack of exercise or poor diet.
Symptoms
Fatigue can cause a vast range of other physical, mental and emotional symptoms including:
- Chronic tiredness or sleepiness
- Headache
- Dizziness, blurred vision
- Sore or aching muscles
- Muscle weakness
- Slowed reflexes and responses
- Appetite loss
- Reduced immune system function
- Short-term memory problems
- Poor concentration, low motivation
- Reduced ability to pay attention to the situation at hand
Causes
The wide range of causes that can trigger fatigue including:
Medical causes
There are a number of diseases and disorders which trigger fatigue:
- Autoimmune disorders: Fatigue is a symptom of many autoimmune diseases, including diabetes and arthritis.
- Hormonal imbalances: Problems with your endocrine system can lead to exhaustion. Hypothyroidism is a common cause of fatigue.
- Chronic conditions: Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia cause severe, long-lasting fatigue.
- Heart and lung problems: Fatigue is a common symptom of cardiovascular conditions such as heart disease, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) etc
- Deficiencies: Anemia and other vitamin deficiencies (such as vitamin D or vitamin B12) are often responsible for fatigue.
Lifestyle-related causes of fatigue
Common lifestyle factors that can cause fatigue include:
- Lack of sleep – typically adults need about eight hours of sleep each night. Some people try to get by on fewer hours of sleep or sleep disturbances may lead to less sleep.
- Too much sleep – adults sleeping more than 11 hours per night can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness.
- Alcohol and drugs – alcohol is a depressant drug that slows the nervous system and disturbs normal sleep patterns. Other drugs, such as cigarettes and caffeine, stimulate the nervous system and can cause insomnia and fatigue.
- Lack of regular exercise – physical activity is necessary to improve fitness, health and wellbeing, reduce stress, and boost energy levels. It also helps you to sleep.
- Poor diet – low carbohydrate diets or high energy foods that are nutritionally poor don’t provide the body with enough fuel or nutrients to function. Quick fix foods, such as chocolate bars or caffeinated drinks, only offer a temporary energy boost that quickly wears off and worsens fatigue.
Workplace-related causes of fatigue
Common workplace issues that can cause fatigue include:
- Shift work – the human body is designed to sleep during the night. This pattern is set by a small part of the brain known as the circadian clock. A shift worker confuses their circadian clock by working when their body is programmed to be asleep.
- Poor workplace practices – can add to a person’s level of fatigue. These may include long work hours, hard physical labor, irregular working hours , and a stressful work environment.
- Workplace stress – can be caused by a wide range of factors including job dissatisfaction, heavy workload, conflicts with bosses or colleagues, bullying, constant change, or threats to job security.
Psychological causes of fatigue
Studies suggest that psychological factors are present in at least 50 percent of fatigue cases. These may include:
- Depression – this is characterized by severe and prolonged feelings of sadness, dejection and hopelessness. People who are depressed commonly experience chronic fatigue.
- Anxiety and stress – a person who is chronically anxious or stressed keeps their body in overdrive. The constant flooding of adrenaline exhausts the body, and fatigue sets in.
- Grief – losing a loved one causes a wide range of emotions including shock, guilt, depression, despair and loneliness.
Home Remedies to treat Fatigue
Remedy – 1: Spices
Materials: Black pepper, Dried ginger, Cumin seeds, Ajwain, Cloves, Cardamon ,Cinnamon leaves, Honey.
Procedure:
- Take a pan and add all the above mentioned spices and roast them without oil till they are fragrant(approx 5-7 mins)
- Cool them and add all the roasted spices to the blender and make a fine powder
- Now add honey to the powder to make a paste of it
- Consume half teaspoon if this paste for 40 days
Importance of these spices:
Cumin contains compounds called flavonoids that work as antioxidants in the body. Antioxidants can help neutralize unstable particles called free radicals that cause cell damage. Cardamom contains chemicals that might kill some bacteria, reduce swelling, and help the immune system. Ajwain is a good source of soluble dietary fiber, and it is known to enhance the digestive system for stomach issues, improving intestine health. They also help in relieving the bloating. Cloves are full of antioxidants. These compounds help your body to fight free radicals, which damage your cells and can lead to disease. Cinnamon is rich in antioxidants and other beneficial compounds. honey is used as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial agent. Black pepper helps to stimulate hydrochloric acid in your stomach so you can better digest and absorb the foods you eat
Product link: Whole spices, Honey
Remedy – 2: Dates
One of the most effective and easily available natural aids to relieve fatigue is to consume dates regularly.
Procedure:
- Soak five to seven dates in half a cup of water in the night
- Crush the pulp after removing seeds in the morning.
- Drink this solution at least two times a week to get rid of fatigue.
You can also snack on dates along with a glass of milk to beat fatigue and revitalize yourself.
Product link: Dates
Remedy – 3: Drum Stick Leaves
Materials: Drum Stick leaves, Milk
Procedure:
- Boil a cup of milk on the stove for 5 mins
- Now add the drumstick leaves to the milk and boil it for 5 more minutes
- Strain the drumstick leaves and drink the milk to get relief from fatigue
Remedy – 4: Aloe vera
Materials: Aloe vera, Turmeric powder
Procedure:
- Take a leaf of aloe vera and scoop out the gel into a bowl
- Add a half teaspoon of turmeric powder to the gel and mix it properly
- Take half spoon of this gel to refresh your body and rejuvenate it
Aloe vera gel is commonly used to relieve fatigue.
Product link: Turmeric, Aloe vera
Remedy – 5: Iron-Rich foods
Some examples of iron rich food include:
Spinach, mushrooms, soybeans, water melon, oranges, nuts and seeds
- Try to incorporate as many iron rich foods as you can in your daily diet
- Drink fruit juices which contain vitamin-c
- Consume nuts and seeds like pumpkin seeds, walnuts, cashew nuts to beat fatigue
Product link: Spinach, Beans, Cashews, Tofu, Pumpkin seeds, Red kidney beans
Other Remedies
Ginseng
Ginseng is an herb that has been used in Asia for centuries to increase energy and combat fatigue. It is considered a tonic herb that can help with fatigue, especially if it is mild. There was one study with 155 participants in which it was found that ginseng is one of the most helpful treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome and 56% of these people have noticed positive results. Talk with your doctor about the recommended dosage for your condition.
Licorice root
Licorice Root is recommended to take 1000 mg on a daily basis of licorice root because this can help to increase cortisol levels . Also, this home remedy can increase blood pressure so you need to talk with your doctor if you have decided to use it as your natural treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome. You should not use this home remedy for more than three to four weeks in a row.
Oats
Oats are energy sources and they will give you the necessary nutrition. They can help to regulate the cardiovascular system and ease heart palpitations. Also, they can counter insomnia by guaranteeing a good night’s sleep. This natural cure is good food for the brain which means that it can stimulate the mental acuity and clear the mind of any fogginess brought on by excessive exhaustion.
Alfalfa
There are some studies which have shown that this home remedy can improve digestion and increase appetite which will provide the body with energy and increased functionality to fight against the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. Also, it can improve cognitive ability and reduce stress and anxiety. You should know that the hormonal production can be compromised by chronic fatigue syndrome and the hormonal boost which comes from the alfalfa can counter that and it can keep the body’s system functioning normally.
Preventions
If a medical condition isn’t causing your fatigue, lifestyle changes may improve your symptoms.
- Practice good sleep habits: Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Don’t drink caffeine, use electronics, or exercise right before bed. Try to go to bed and get up at the same time every day.
- Eat a healthy diet: A balanced diet and plenty of water will keep your body nourished and hydrated.
- Manage stress: Yoga, mindfulness, meditation and regular exercise can help you relieve stress and gain more energy.
- Exercise often: Regular exercise is crucial for a healthy lifestyle. But exercising too much can cause fatigue, so talk to your provider about what’s best for you.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Talk to your healthcare provider about your ideal weight, and try to stay within that range.
