Fatigue

Fatigue is the physical and/or mental state of weariness that impedes normal functioning.

It may just be a normal manifestation after heavy work or strenuous exercise, or it can also be a symptom of a gamut of diseases from anemia to cancer.

The histories of people with fatigues are therefore as varied as the individuals that manifest it and further elucidation of the cause is necessary.

Physical fatigue can manifest as muscle and body pain especially after strenuous work or exercise. It is characterized by depletion of energy sources necessary for muscle contraction. It can also be due to depletion of some neurotransmitters that signal muscle contraction in conditions like Myasthenia gravis.

Whatever the cause, the common factor is the state of complete exhaustion that prevents you from accomplishing physical tasks that you can normally do.

Mental fatigue is the loss of ability to accomplish mental tasks that were previously doable resulting from stresses on the mind and body that have surpassed what the person can normally tolerate. It decreases the person's attentiveness and therefore prevents that person from accomplishing mental tasks such as calculation and memorization. It can also manifest as lethargy, or increased sleepiness, or simply as a general lowering of the level of consciousness.

These signs and symptoms can also be seen in persons with dementia; however, you have to understand that mental fatigue is easily reversible while dementia is not.

Mental fatigue results from a depletion of neurotransmitters in the brain after continuous use and without a chance to rest or regenerate new ones.

As stated above, the causes of fatigues have a wide range spanning from simple physical and mental conditions to the most complicated.

Here are some: anemia, blood dyscrasias, heart disease, diabetes, COPD, asthma, cancer, sleep apnea, depression, sleep deprivation, stressful work, substance abuse, withdrawal symptoms, etc.

It is very important to try to elucidate the cause of fatigue and it is advisable to seek the advice of your physician whenever possible.

Barring the really serious medical conditions that cause fatigue, here are some useful home remedies and natural cures that can get rid of fatigue.

Natural Cures for Fatigue:

Exercise:

This is a natural cure for fatigue because the more you exercise, the more the body gets used to strenuous work load, and in effect increases the body's energy level.

Not only does it strengthen your muscles in your limbs but also the heart and can help in preventing many heart conditions that can lead to fatigue and the more serious heart ailments.

A regular exercise regimen is a great way on how to remove fatigue out of your system.

Balanced Diet:

Eating the right type and amount of food is a natural cure that many disregard.

It doesn’t mean that you eat a lot therefore you have more energy; or eat less and that is healthier.

If you eat the wrong type of food for what your body needs, you will still develop fatigue.

Eating a healthy diet of fresh salads and low carbohydrates might be good for many of us with limited exercise but the same diet would deprive a cross-country runner the energy to finish the course resulting to fatigue.

Vitamin Supplements:

Taking multivitamins daily is one of the simplest home remedies for fatigue.

Most of us have noticed having more energy at the end of the day when we take vitamin supplements than if we don’t.

Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients needed to carry out energy-producing reactions in the body and for the proper utilization of this energy as well.

Sleep:

How to get rid of fatigue effortlessly?

Get adequate sleep!

Sleeping at least 7 hours a day, is needed for the body to regenerate energy and keep its resistance up.

For some, whose body clock is not in-synch with the environment, sleep is very hard to get despite the will to do so. This is what we call jet-lag.

A simple home remedy you can do is take some melatonin tablets, 0.3 – 5 mg at bed time.

For those chronically sleep deprived people who work the grave yard shifts, a dose of benadryl or hydroxyzine might help (avoid this if you are 60 y/o and up).

Also, make sure you close the drapes and the lights to simulate night.

This simple home remedy may help the brain think it's time for sleep.