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Home > Information Centre > Exhaustion

Exhaustion

Exhaustion or Fatigue is a common health complaint. It is, however, one of the hardest terms to define, and a symptom of many different conditions.

Exhaustion also known as weariness, tiredness, fatigue, or lethargy, is generally defined as a feeling of lack of energy. Fatigue is not the same as drowsiness, but the desire to sleep may accompany exhaustion. Apathy is a feeling of indifference that may accompany exhaustion or fatigue or exist independently.

Fatigue and exhaustion are becoming increasingly common. Physical causes are estimated at 20-60%, and emotional causes are the other 40-80%. The challenge is how to tell what is causing your fatigue and whether it is serious enough to see your doctor.

Causes of Exhaustion or Fatigue:

Sleep disturbances

Not enough sleep

Too much sleep

Shift work (changing shifts, night shifts)

Alcohol

Heart diseases

Congestive heart failure (fluid in lungs)

Cardiomyopathy (dysfunction of the heart muscle)

Lung diseases

Asthma

Emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Pneumonia

Nutritional disorders

Malnutrition

Obesity

Vitamin deficiency

Electrolyte disturbances

Low potassium

Low magnesium

Low or high calcium

Low sodium

Endocrine disorders

Low blood sugar or high blood sugar (diabetes)

High or low thyroid

Low cortisol (Addison disease)

High cortisol (Cushing disease)

Gastrointestinal disorders

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD)

Neurological disorders

Multiple sclerosis

Stroke

Lou Gehrig disease

Infectious causes

Any chronic disease

HIV/AIDS

Tuberculosis

Hepatitis

Mononucleosis

Chronic fatigue syndrome

Urinary tract infections

Connective tissue disorders

Arthritis (osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis)

Lupus (SLE)

Fibromyalgia

Acromegaly

General disorders

Cancer

Anaemia (blood loss or not making enough blood)

Gynecologic

Pregnancy

Menopause

Exercise disturbances

Lack of exercise

Too much exercise (worn out)

Excessive workload

Psychological

Depression (loss of interest, ambition)

Anxiety

Grief

Stress

Medications

Blood pressure medications work by different mechanisms to decrease blood pressure. The ultimate decrease in blood pressure also means a decrease in the amount of work the heart is doing, which can lead to a feeling of fatigue. Sometimes, the drug works not only on the heart, but also on the central nervous system.

Heart medications work in different ways to regulate the heartbeat. Fatigue or exhaustion can be related to the effects the medication has on the heart or to the effects that spill over to other areas of the body.

Psychological medications used to help depression and anxiety work by increasing neurotransmitters in the brain that have a calming effect on the body, thus stimulating fatigue.

Narcotics: Many pain medications are opiate derived. Drowsiness can be caused by opiates.

Muscle relaxants work to decrease the contraction of muscles. This relaxation can lead to total body relaxation, which may cause you to feel fatigued.

Symptoms of exhaustion/fatigue:

Weakness, lack of energy, tiredness.

Passing out or feeling as if you are going to pass out

Palpitations (feeling your heart beating)

Dizziness

Vertigo

Shortness of breath

Medical Treatment

Many causes of fatigue/exhaustion may be treated with medications:

Iron supplements for anaemia

Medications and machines to help sleep apnea

Medications to control your blood sugar

Medications to support your thyroid

Antibiotics to treat infection

Vitamins

Recommendations for dietary changes and a sensible exercise program

Prevention

Manage your stress: Practice relaxation. Take time out for yourself.

Get exercise: Start slowly. Do something you like. Find a good time to exercise. Find a partner.

Check out your medications.

Improve your diet: Eat a good breakfast (whole grain cereal, fruit, milk). Add more fruits and vegetables.

Stop the caffeine habit.

Give up smoking.

Get enough sleep: Have a routine. Go to bed at the same time every night.

Avoid coffee, tea, or caffeinated drinks after 6 pm.

Drink no alcohol after dinner and decrease the total amount of alcohol (alcohol interferes with sleep patterns).

Alternative therapies can offer support in many different areas. There are different types of emotional problems which can result in fatigue and exhaustion. Mental, physical and nervous tension can lead to the person feeling exhausted. Relaxation therapies can often help the sufferer to relax and the body to get into a state where it can truly rest.

Massages and baths using a variety of essential oils can be very beneficial.

For mental, emotional & physical exhaustion: Benzoin & Lavender essential oil

For nervous, physical & sexual exhaustion: Clary Sage essential oil

For emotional & nervous depletion: Eucalyptus & Juniper essential oil

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May 2008