Asthenia is a condition characterized by a feeling of weakness and a general lack of energy, which can also be associated with physical and intellectual fatigue, tremors, slow movements and muscle spasms.
Asthenia can be temporary or chronic, and can be caused by several factors, such as colds and flu, thyroid problems, vitamin deficiencies, or exposure to certain treatments, such as chemotherapy, for example.
- Influenza is an infection caused by the flu virus that.
- In addition to causing asthenia.
- Causes symptoms such as fever.
- Cough.
- Sore throat.
- Sneezing and nasal congestion.
- And can last 5 to 7 days.
What to do: Influenza treatment consists mainly of rest and hydration and taking medications to relieve symptoms, such as pain relievers, for pain and fever and an antihistamine for allergic symptoms. Know what to take for each symptom.
Anemia is characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin levels in the blood, which is a protein found within red blood cells and is responsible for transporting oxygen to organs. In addition to extreme fatigue, anemia can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, paleness and drowsiness. Discover the causes of this disease.
What to do: treatment depends on the type of anemia of the person and can be performed with iron supplementation and / or vitamin B12, administration of corticosteroids and immunosuppressants or, in more severe cases, bone marrow transplantation. Learn more about treating each type of anemia.
Some changes in the thyroid, such as hypothyroidism, can cause asthenia, weight gain, headaches and hair loss, for example, due to low thyroid activity.
What to do: Treatment of hypothyroidism is done by hormonal replacement with levothyroxine, which should be prescribed by the endocrinologist. Learn more about treating hypothyroidism.
One of the most common symptoms in people with depression is excessive fatigue, associated with reluctance to perform the usual daily tasks. Depression is a condition that affects mood, causing deep, persistent and disproportionate sadness, which goes beyond 2 weeks, and does not have a valid reason for occurring.
What to do: Treatment for depression is usually done with psychiatrist-recommended antidepressants and psychotherapy sessions, conducted weekly with a psychologist.
Insomnia is a sleep disorder that causes difficulty falling asleep or maintaining a good quality of sleep, making the person feel very tired the next day, especially if it occurs several nights in a row. This situation is most common in times of stress, and may also be associated with diseases, such as depression, or be associated with situations such as pregnancy or menopause.
What to do: It is very important to adopt habits that allow the body to fall asleep at the right time, such as sleep hygiene, avoid watching TV or watching the phone at bedtime, avoiding bed every day at a different time and exercising during the day, for example. There are also natural remedies, such as passion fruit or chamomile infusion, for example, that can help you fall asleep. In more severe cases, medications may be needed if recommended by your doctor.
Vitamin B12 is very important for the proper functioning of the body and, therefore, the deficiency of this vitamin can cause a variety of changes in the body, such as asthenia, anemia, shortness of breath, memory loss, visual impairment and irritability, for example. . . Find out what are the main causes of vitamin B12 deficiency.
What to do: treatment should be done by changing eating habits, increasing consumption of foods rich in vitamin B12, and in some cases it may be necessary to supplement with this vitamin.
Ingestion of certain medications, especially anxiolytics and drugs used in chemotherapy treatment, can cause asthenia as a side effect.
What to do: In some cases, your doctor may make adjustments to treatment, but this is not always possible, and it is recommended that the person rest as much as possible.
In addition to these causes, other less common causes can cause excessive fatigue and weakness, such as cancer, stroke, heart problems, untreated diabetes, muscle diseases, and poisoning.