Unconsciously we sometimes underestimate the condition of the whaling body fatigue. Sometimes tiredness can be a symptom of serious illness, although fatigue usually only minor problems, and can be easily repaired. But if there is prolonged, will make you hit fatigue syndrome. Tiredness (fatigue) is the tiredness that does not disappear when you rest. It can be physical or mental. Without realizing it, fatigue can decrease the productivity of our daily lives, therefore, if fatigue lasting more than a week and can be explained without cause, then the patient is recommended to consult a doctor.

chronic fatigue syndrome (image credit to http://topnews.us)

For you true workaholic, be careful. Working without a known time and forget what the body needs such as rest and ignore the energy intake from food can cause chronic fatigue.

Symptoms of Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)

You may have Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) if you simultaneously have four or more of the following symptoms: significant problems with short-term memory or concentration, sore throat, tender lymph nodes, muscle pain, pain in several joints without swelling or redness, headaches that are different in pattern or severity from previous headaches, feeling tired and unrefreshed even after sleeping, and extreme tiredness lasting more than 24 hours after you exercise or exert yourself. Symptoms can survive for years.

Causes of Fatigue and Treatment

Fatigue can be caused by diverse factors. We should work together with your doctor to determine the cause of fatigue and how best to treat it.

Food allergies

Food is a source of energy for humans, but some experts believe that in the case of an allergy / intolerance to a particular food substance can cause the opposite symptoms. According to Rudy Rivera, MD, author of Your Hidden Food Allergies Are Making You Fat, intolerance / food allergy can cause mild symptoms of drowsiness, and if people continue to consume foodstuffs that are known allergens to the body, causing the emergence of symptoms of prolonged fatigue.

Caffeine excess

Many of us consume coffee or cola is believed to be refreshing and create energy in a short time, but in fact caffeine can give the opposite effect. A journal published by the U.S. Pharmacist, author W. Stephen Pray, PhD, RPh, reports that it is a stimulant caffeine, but if the excess will cause the opposite effect.

Sleep apnea / stop breathing while asleep

If you are not getting enough sleep, then it can easily be used as a reason why you are experiencing fatigue. But when time to sleep long enough and the symptoms still persist, may have also difikirkan condition called sleep apnea – a sleep disorder condition characterized by continuous breath happens several times throughout the night without our knowing it, it makes us wake up and very disturb our sleep cycles

Usually sleep apnea can be caused by inhibition of the respiratory tract, or often also occur in people with obese / overweight. Snoring is one sign of sleep apnea.

If you have sleep apnea, your doctor will usually recommend lifestyle changes, including weight loss and quitting smoking, drugs that relieve the airway during sleep.

Virus and bacterial infections

Other infections can tire you out, even without obvious symptoms. Parasites in the digestive system, bronchitis, other infections and allergies can cause fatigue. If these infections are treated, your energy should go up. HIV infection is active, for example, when HIV multiplies rapidly, your body uses a lot of energy to fight HIV. Most people have more energy after they started antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Causes of Fatigue (image credit to www.health.harvard.edu)

Several viruses have been studied as possible causes of CFS, but no cause-and-effect relationship has been discovered. Some evidence indicates that the bacterium Chlamydia pneumoniae (which causes pneumonia and other illnesses) may be a cause of CFS in some cases. People with chronic fatigue syndrome related to C. pneumoniae are most likely to respond to antibiotics that kill C. pneumoniae, and their CFS symptoms may improve with antibiotic medications such as doxycycline. However, this association is still being debated.

Heart disease was diagnosed

If you often find yourself tired easily after light activity, it might be time to consult with your doctor about your heart health.

This does not mean you should panic each time you feel fatigue / tired, because most of the fatigue was not associated with serious diseases like heart. But when fatigue always occur significantly in various activities, including even mild activity, it would not hurt you discuss with your doctor and get rid of this disorder.

Poor nutrition: If we are not getting enough nutrients, your energy level will be low. Diarrhea can remove nutrients from our body and cause fatigue. For some people, vitamin B12 or better nutrition can eliminate fatigue.

Anemia: Reduced levels of oxygen in hemoglobin can cause the body to feel tired. A simple blood test can show whether you have anemia.

Low hormone levels

Sex hormone testosterone deficiency can cause fatigue and lack of sexual desire and other normal activities, especially in men. Lack of other important hormones such as DHEA, cortisol, or thyroid can cause similar problems.

Depression

Changes in brain chemistry can cause fatigue and lack of interest in daily activities. There is no blood test for depression. Possibilities are depressed are higher if previously diagnosed with depression, have a history of alcohol or drug use is heavy, or our families have a history of emotional illness. Depression can be treated. However, some antidepressants can cause problems with sexual function. Also, some antidepressants can interact with ARVs, so antidepressants should be used with caution.