Weakness and desire to sleep. Causes of increased drowsiness and weakness in women. The concept of drowsiness and its signs

Fatigue and drowsiness are conditions that do not necessarily indicate the development of the disease. We distinguish between feelings of physical and mental fatigue, although in many cases both types occur simultaneously.

You should be concerned if you have constant (chronic) sleepiness, apathy and fatigue, which directly reduces daily physical activity, weakens perception, memory and concentration. The reasons for this may lie in many diseases.

Lethargy is a common problem that can affect people of all ages, regardless of gender or profession. Despite the fact that we encounter it quite often, people usually do not pay enough attention to it, simply ignoring their condition. Fatigue in most cases is a manifestation of ordinary everyday phenomena, such as overwork, sleepless nights, the need to work for a long period of time without rest, severe stress. In these cases, feeling tired usually does not indicate the development of any disease. But it can lead to health consequences such as cardiovascular disease, depression, neurotic disorders or insomnia.

Fatigue and apathy after a long day of work are normal and natural. To get back to normal, a healthy person just needs to get a good night's sleep or just survive until the weekend. But if even rest doesn’t help you get back on track, it’s time to think about visiting a doctor.

When you wake up in the morning, do you find it difficult to get dressed and feel lethargic for the rest of the day? On weekends, do you lack the strength and desire to even go for a walk, and even more so on weekdays? After walking a couple of flights of stairs, are you ready to fall down from weakness? All these signs may indicate serious health problems; Some of them, however, can be solved on your own, while others require the help of a specialist. The authors of the book “Your Body's Red Light Warning Signals,” published in America, named the 8 most common causes of constant fatigue.

1. Lack of vitamin B12

This vitamin helps your body's nerve cells and red blood cells function. The latter, in turn, are involved in transporting oxygen to the tissues, without which the body cannot process nutrients into the energy it needs. Hence the weakness due to B12 deficiency. This condition can be identified by other signs: for example, it is very often accompanied by diarrhea, and sometimes by numbness of the fingers and toes and memory problems.

What to do. Vitamin deficiency is detected by a simple blood test. If it shows a positive result, you will most likely be advised to eat more meat, fish, dairy products and eggs. The vitamin is also available in medicinal form, but is poorly absorbed and is usually prescribed only in extreme cases.

2. Vitamin D deficiency

This vitamin is unique because it is produced independently by our body. True, for this you need to spend at least 20-30 minutes in the sun every day, and the latest criticism of tanning enthusiasts does not help this at all. The press is full of warnings that sunbathing can lead to premature aging, age spots and cancer. This is partly true, of course, but excessive caution is no less dangerous to health. Vitamin D deficiency, doctors warn, can result in heart problems, high blood pressure, neurological disorders and some types of cancer.

What to do. Vitamin D levels are also checked with a blood test. You can replenish it with a fish diet, eggs and liver. But sunbathing is also necessary. 10 minutes in the fresh air a day will be enough to get rid of fatigue.

3. Taking medications

Read the package insert for the medicine you are taking. Possibly side effects include fatigue, apathy, and weakness. However, some manufacturers may “hide” this information from you. For example, antihistamines (used for allergies) can literally drain your energy, although you won't read it on the label. Many antidepressants and beta blockers (hypertension medications) have a similar effect.

What to do. Each person reacts to medications differently. The form and even the brand of the drug may matter. Ask your doctor to find another one for you - maybe changing pills will get you back into shape.

4. Malfunction of the thyroid gland

Thyroid problems can also include changes in weight (especially difficulty losing weight), dry skin, chills, and menstrual irregularities. These are typical signs of hypothyroidism - an underactive thyroid gland, due to which the body lacks metabolism-regulating hormones. In an advanced state, the disease can lead to joint diseases, heart disease and infertility. 80% of patients are women.

What to do. Go to an endocrinologist and decide how intensive treatment you need. As a rule, patients have to remain on hormone replacement therapy for the rest of their lives, although the results justify the costs.

5. Depression

Weakness is one of the most common companions of depression. On average, about 20% of the world's population suffers from this scourge.

What to do. If you don't want to take pills and go to a psychologist, try playing sports. Physical activity is a natural antidepressant, promoting the production of the “happy” hormone serotonin.

6. Intestinal problems

Celiac disease, or celiac disease, affects approximately 1 in 133 people. It lies in the inability of the intestines to digest the gluten of cereals, that is, as soon as you sit on pizza, cookies, pasta or bread for a week, bloating, diarrhea, discomfort in the joints and constant fatigue begin. The body reacts to a lack of nutrients that it cannot receive due to the intestines’ inability to absorb them.

What to do. First, undergo several tests to make sure that the problem is really in the intestines. In some cases, endoscopic examination is required to confirm the diagnosis. If the answer is yes, you will have to seriously reconsider your diet.

7. Heart problems

About 70% of women who have had a heart attack complain of sudden and prolonged attacks of weakness and constant fatigue that precede the heart attack. And although the heart attack itself is not so painful for the fair half of humanity, the percentage of deaths among women is constantly growing.

What to do. If you have other symptoms of heart problems - loss of appetite, difficulty breathing, rare but sharp chest pain - it is better to consult a cardiologist. You may need an electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, or ultrasound examination of the heart. Treatment depends on the results. To prevent heart disease, you can change your diet to a low-fat diet and do light exercise.

8. Diabetes

This insidious disease has two ways of wearing you down. First: when a patient's blood sugar level is too high, glucose (that is, potential energy) is literally washed out of the body and goes to waste. It turns out that the more you eat, the worse you will feel. By the way, the state of constantly elevated blood sugar has its own name - potential diabetes or prediabetes. This is not yet a disease, but it manifests itself in the same way in persistent fatigue.

The second problem is strong thirst: the patient drinks a lot, and because of this he gets up several times a night “out of need” - what kind of healthy sleep is that?

What to do. Other symptoms of diabetes include increased urination, increased appetite and weight loss. If you suspect you have this disease, the best way to check your suspicions is to get your blood tested. If you have diabetes, you will have to follow a diet, regularly check your blood sugar, take medications, and possibly exercise. If you are diagnosed with prediabetes, losing weight and increasing physical activity can prevent the condition from getting worse.

Weakness or loss of strength– a common and quite complex symptom, the occurrence of which depends on the influence of a number of physiological and psychological factors.

Weakness or loss of strength

In most cases, patients describe weakness in accordance with their individual sensations. For some, weakness is identical to severe fatigue; for others, this term refers to possible dizziness, absent-mindedness, loss of attention and lack of energy.

Thus, many health care professionals characterize weakness as a patient's subjective experience that reflects a lack of energy needed to perform daily activities and duties that the person was able to perform without problems before the onset of weakness.

Causes of weakness

Weakness is a common symptom inherent in a wide range of diseases. The exact cause of the disease can be determined by the necessary studies and tests, as well as accompanying weaknesses and other clinical manifestations.

The mechanism of weakness and its nature are determined by the cause that provoked the occurrence of this symptom. The state of fatigue can arise both as a result of severe emotional, nervous or physical stress, and as a result of chronic or acute diseases and conditions. In the first case, weakness can disappear on its own without any consequences - here, good sleep and rest are enough.

Flu

Thus, a popular cause of weakness is an acute viral infectious disease accompanied by general intoxication of the body. Along with weakness, additional symptoms appear here:

• elevated temperature;
• photophobia;
• pain in the head, joints and muscles;
• intense sweating.

Vegetative-vascular dystonia

The occurrence of weakness is characteristic of another common phenomenon - vegetative-vascular dystonia, which is a whole complex of various symptoms, among which are:

• sleep disturbance;
• dizziness;
• interruptions in heart function.

Rhinitis

Acquiring a chronic nature, in turn, is accompanied by swelling of the nasal mucosa, which over time leads to an effect on the pituitary gland. Under this influence, the normal functioning of the main endocrine gland involved in the area of ​​edema is disrupted. Malfunctions in the functioning of the pituitary gland lead to an imbalance in many body systems: endocrine, nervous, immune, etc.

Other causes of weakness

Sharp and severe weakness is a symptom inherent in severe poisoning, general intoxication.

In a healthy person, weakness can occur as a result of: brain injury, blood loss- as a result of a sharp decrease in pressure.

Women experience weakness during menstruation.

Also weakness is inherent in anemia– a disease characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin contained in red blood cells. Considering that this substance transfers oxygen from the respiratory organs to the tissues of internal organs, an insufficient amount of hemoglobin in the blood leads to oxygen starvation experienced by the body.

Constant weakness is inherent in vitamin deficiency– a disease indicating a lack of vitamins. This usually happens as a result of following strict and irrational diets, poor and monotonous nutrition.

In addition, weakness may be a symptom of the following diseases:

Chronic fatigue

Chronic fatigue is the body's protective reaction to constant overload. And not necessarily physical. Emotional stress can deplete the nervous system no less. The feeling of fatigue can be compared to a stopcock that prevents the body from pushing itself to the edge.

A number of chemical elements are responsible for the feeling of good spirits and a surge of fresh strength in our body. Let's list just a few of them:

More often, this disease affects residents of large cities who are engaged in business or other very responsible and stressful work, living in unfavorable environmental conditions, with unhealthy ambitions, constantly under stress, eating poorly and not playing sports.

Based on the above, it becomes clear why chronic fatigue has become epidemic in developed countries recently. In the USA, Australia, Canada, and Western European countries, the incidence rate of chronic fatigue syndrome ranges from 10 to 40 cases per 100,000 population.

CFS - chronic fatigue syndrome

Weakness is an integral symptom of physical and mental stress. Thus, among modern people who have to be exposed to enormous stress at work, the so-called. chronic fatigue syndrome.

Anyone can develop CFS, although it is more common in women. Usually:

This condition indicates extreme depletion of vitality. Weakness here arises as physical and emotional overload increases. Further, constant weakness and loss of strength are accompanied by a number of additional symptoms:

• drowsiness;
• irritability;
• decreased appetite;
• dizziness;
• loss of concentration;
• absent-mindedness.

Causes

• Chronic lack of sleep.
• Overwork.
• Emotional stress.
• Viral infections.
• Situation.

Treatment

Comprehensive treatment is the main principle. One of the important conditions for treatment is also compliance with the protective regime and constant contact between the patient and the attending physician.

Today, chronic fatigue is treated using various methods of cleansing the body, special medications are administered to normalize the functioning of the central nervous system and brain activity, as well as to restore the functioning of the endocrine, immune and gastrointestinal systems. In addition, psychological rehabilitation plays an important role in solving this problem.

The treatment program for chronic fatigue syndrome must include:

In addition to treatment from specialists, you can relieve fatigue with simple lifestyle tips. For example, try to regulate physical activity, balancing periods of sleep and wakefulness, do not overload yourself and do not try to do more than you can do. Otherwise, this may negatively affect the prognosis of CFS. Over time, periods of activity can be increased.

By properly managing your available resources, you will be able to do more things. To do this, you need to properly plan your schedule for the day and even a week in advance. By properly distributing things - instead of rushing to do as much as possible in a short period of time - you can make steady progress.

The following rules may also help:

• avoid stressful situations;
• abstain from alcohol, caffeine, sugar and sweeteners;
• avoid any foods and drinks that cause a negative reaction in the body;
• eat small, regular meals to relieve nausea;
• get plenty of rest;
• Try not to sleep for long periods of time, as sleeping too much can worsen symptoms.

Folk remedies

St. John's wort

Take 1 cup (300 ml) of boiling water and add 1 tablespoon of dry St. John's wort to it. This infusion should be infused in a warm place for 30 minutes. Directions for use: 1/3 glass three times a day, 20 minutes before meals. Duration of treatment – ​​no more than 3 weeks in a row.

Common plantain

You need to take 10 g of dry and thoroughly crushed plantain leaves and pour 300 ml of boiling water over them, leave for 30-40 minutes in a warm place. Directions for use: 2 tablespoons at a time, three times a day, half an hour before meals. Duration of treatment – ​​21 days.

Collection

Mix 2 tablespoons of oats, 1 tablespoon of dried peppermint leaves and 2 tablespoons of tartar leaves. The resulting dry mixture is poured with 5 cups of boiling water and left for 60-90 minutes in a bowl wrapped in a terry towel. Scheme of use: by? glasses 3-4 times a day before meals. Duration of treatment – ​​15 days.

Clover

You need to take 300 grams of dried meadow clover flowers, 100 grams of regular sugar and a liter of warm water. Put the water on the fire, bring to a boil and add the clover, cook for 20 minutes. Then the infusion is removed from the heat, cooled and only after that the specified amount of sugar is added to it. You need to take 150 ml of clover infusion 3-4 times a day, instead of tea or coffee.

Lingonberries and strawberries

You will need 1 tablespoon of strawberry and lingonberry leaves - mix them and pour 500 ml of boiling water. Infuse the medicine in a thermos for 40 minutes, then drink a tea cup three times a day.

Aromatherapy

Flower essences are intended to relieve mental disorders and relieve stress in the emotional sphere. These are especially helpful if you are depressed or have lost interest in life:

• clematis (clematis): to be more energetic;
• olive: for all types of stress;
• rosehip: for apathy;
• willow: if you are burdened by the lifestyle restrictions imposed by the disease.

Symptoms of weakness

Weakness is characterized by a decline in physical and nervous strength. She is characterized by apathy and loss of interest in life.

Weakness caused by the development of acute infectious diseases occurs suddenly. Its increase is directly related to the rate of development of the infection and the resulting intoxication of the body.

The nature of the appearance of weakness in a healthy person as a result of severe physical or nervous strain is associated with the amount of overload. Typically, in this case, signs of weakness appear gradually, accompanied by loss of interest in the work being done, fatigue, loss of concentration and absent-mindedness.

Weakness caused by prolonged fasting or following a strict diet is of approximately the same nature. Along with this symptom, external signs of vitamin deficiency also appear:

• pale skin;
• increased brittleness of nails;
• dizziness;
• hair loss, etc.

Treatment of weakness

Treatment of weakness should be based on eliminating the factor that provoked its appearance.

In the case of infectious diseases, the root cause is the action of an infectious agent. Here they apply appropriate drug therapy, supported by the necessary measures aimed at increasing immunity.

In a healthy person, weakness resulting from overwork eliminates itself. Basic control measures - good sleep and rest.

In the treatment of weakness caused by overwork, nervous overstrain, it is of great importance restoration of nervous strength and increased stability of the nervous system. For this purpose, therapeutic measures are aimed, first of all, at normalizing the work and rest regime, eliminating negative, irritating factors. Effective use of funds herbal medicine, massage.

In some cases, eliminating weakness will require diet correction, introducing into it foods rich in vitamins and essential microelements.

Which doctors should you contact if you feel weak and exhausted?

Questions and answers on the topic "Weakness"

Question:Hello! I am 48 years old, I work physically on a 2/2 schedule. For about a month now I have been feeling very tired, even a 2-day weekend does not bring me back to normal. In the morning I get up with difficulty, there is no feeling, then I slept and rested. I haven't had my period for 5 months now.

Answer: If you have not had a period for 5 months, you need to pay attention to the following factors: physical activity; nervous overstrain; eating disorders; strict diets. In addition, an in-person consultation with a gynecologist (cysts, fibroids, infections of the genitourinary system) and an endocrinologist (diabetes mellitus, abnormalities of the endocrine system, problems with the adrenal glands) is necessary. There may be problems with hormone balance. To check this you need to donate blood. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor will prescribe hormone therapy.

Question:Hello! I am 33 years old and I (female) have neck pain and weakness.

Answer: Possibly osteochondrosis, you need an in-person consultation with a neurologist.

Question:Hello! When I have pain from osteochondrosis, my epigastric region hurts, maybe there is some connection!

Answer: With osteochondrosis in the middle or lower thoracic spine, there may be pain in the epigastric region and in the abdomen. They are often mistaken for symptoms of diseases of the stomach or pancreas, gallbladder or intestines.

Question:weakness pain in the right shoulder blade from the shoulder nothing to eat I don’t want what’s wrong with me

Answer: There can be many causes of pain in the right shoulder blade. We recommend that you consult a therapist in person.

Question:Hello! I am 30 years old, I had tuberculosis, but the weakness remained, it even got worse. Tell me what to do, it’s impossible to live!

Answer: Side effects of using anti-tuberculosis drugs include muscle, joint, headaches, weakness, apathy, and lack of appetite. Recovery from tuberculosis consists of following a daily routine, establishing nutrition and proper physical activity.

Question:Hello, please tell me which doctor should I consult: I have been suffering from pain for 4-5 months, complete apathy, absent-mindedness, lately pain behind the ears, I have to take painkillers. The tests are normal. I go on IV drips because of headaches. What could it be?

Answer: Pain behind the ears: ENT (otitis), neurologist (osteochondrosis).

Question:Hello! I am 31 years old, female. I constantly feel weak, lack of strength, lack of sleep, and apathy. I’m often cold and can’t get warm under the covers for a long time. It’s hard for me to wake up, I want to sleep during the day.

Answer: Complete general blood test to rule out anemia. Check your blood for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Monitor your blood pressure for several days to see if there is a decrease in pressure. Consult a neurologist: circulatory disorders in the vessels of the spine and brain.

Question:The man is 63 years old. ESR 52mm/s. They checked the lungs - they were clean, chronic bronchitis is typical for a smoker. Tired in the morning, weak in the legs. The therapist prescribed antibiotics for bronchitis. Which doctor should I contact?

Answer: High POP may be associated with chronic bronchitis in smokers. Common causes of weakness: anemia (blood test) and thyroid disease (endocrinologist), but it is better to undergo a comprehensive examination.

Question:Hello! I am a 50-year-old woman, in September 2017 I suffered from iron deficiency anemia. Hemoglobin increased in January 2018, weakness persists, it’s still difficult to walk, my legs hurt, I checked everything, B12 is normal, MRI of the brain and spinal cord, ultrasound of all organs, lower blood vessels limbs, everything is normal, ENMG is normal, but I can barely walk, what could it be?

Answer: If the cause of anemia is not eliminated, it may recur. In addition, your thyroid gland should be checked.

Question:Hello, my name is Alexandra, two years ago after giving birth, I was discharged from the hospital with diagnoses of second-degree anemia and sinus arrhythmia. Today I feel very bad, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, constant stress, nerves, depression, pain in the heart, sometimes my hands go numb, sometimes I faint, my head is heavy, I can’t work, I can’t lead a normal life... two children don’t have the strength to go out with them... please tell me what to do and what to do...

Answer: Get examined, starting with a therapist. Both anemia and sinus arrhythmia may be contributing factors to your condition.

Question:Good afternoon I am 55 years old. I have severe sweating, weakness, fatigue. I have hepatitis C, doctors say it is not active. A fist-sized ball is felt in the right side under the liver. I feel very bad, I often visit doctors, but to no avail. What to do? They send me for a paid examination, but there is no money, they don’t want to hospitalize me, they say that I’m still breathing, I haven’t fallen yet.

Answer: Hello. Complaints about poor quality medical care - Ministry of Health hotline: 8 800 200-03-89.

Question:I have been going to doctors for 14 years. I have no strength, constant weakness, my legs feel weak, I want and want to sleep. Thyroid is normal, hemoglobin is low. They picked him up, but didn’t find why. Sugar is normal, but sweat pours out like hail. I have no strength, I can lie all day. Help, advise what to do.

Answer: Hello. Have you consulted a cardiologist?

Question:Good afternoon Please tell me, I have cervical chondrosis, it often hurts in the back of the head and radiates to the frontal part, especially when I cough in the frontal part it gives pain. I'm scared that it could be cancer, God forbid. Thank you!

Answer: Hello. This is a manifestation of cervical chondrosis.

Question:Hello! Severe weakness, especially in the legs and arms, appeared suddenly, there are no headaches, there is anxiety and excitement. I saw an endocrinologist, a therapist, a cardiologist, did an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, took injections, but the condition is the same: either a strong heaviness appears in the whole body, then it goes away. Thank you!

Answer: Hello. If the endocrinologist, therapist and cardiologist did not find anything, then all that remains is to consult a neurologist to rule out circulatory disorders in the vessels of the spine and brain. If weakness appears due to stress or depression, see a psychotherapist.

Question:In the morning there is severe weakness, lack of appetite, everything shakes inside, the head seems to be in a fog, vision becomes distracted, there is no concentration, fear, depression about one’s condition.

Answer: Hello. There can be many reasons; you need to check your thyroid gland, hemoglobin and consult a neurologist and psychotherapist.

Question:Hello, for about 2 weeks I have been feeling weak in the evening, nausea, I don’t want to eat, and indifference to life. Tell me, what could it be?

Answer: Hello. There can be many reasons; you need to consult a therapist in person, who will refer you for examination.

Question:Hello, I’m 49, I’m doing fitness, working on my legs, but lately I’ve been losing strength and feeling dizzy. I sleep at least 8 hours, my hemoglobin is normal, I checked my thyroid, I take magnesium as prescribed, my blood pressure is low (all my life). Please advise what else needs to be checked.

Answer: Hello. You need an in-person consultation with a neurologist about dizziness.

Question:Hello, age 25 years old, female, severe weakness, dizziness, apathy for about a month, constantly want to sleep, no appetite. Tell me what to do?

Answer: Hello. If this occurs while taking medications, you should discuss this with your doctor; if not, you need an in-person consultation with a neurologist (dizziness).

Question:Hello, I have constant weakness in general, I can’t live normally, problems have started with my back and my life is downhill, I’m afraid that I won’t find a solution to the problem and I don’t know how to solve it, can you recommend anything? I am very excited, I live in fear, I am 20 years old, I am afraid of going crazy.

Answer: Hello. Constant weakness is a symptom of many diseases and conditions. You need to conduct an examination - take blood tests: general, biochemical, thyroid hormones and go to an in-person appointment with a therapist and psychologist.

Question:Hello! I am 22 years old. I've been feeling dizzy for about 4 days now. And it can be hard to breathe and due to all this I feel weak and tired. A week ago, for two days after a hard weekend, my nose was bleeding. Can you tell me what could be causing these problems? Thanks for the answer.

Answer: It is possible that you are overtired. Please tell me, have you recently had situations when you slept poorly and little, or spent too much time at the computer? The symptoms you described may be due to increased blood pressure or intracranial hypertension. I recommend that you do an M-ECHO, EEG and consult a neurologist.

Question:For 3 months the temperature has been around 37, dry mouth, fatigue. Blood and urine tests are normal. Lately I have been suffering from sore throat frequently and have been treated with antibiotics.

Answer: This temperature is not considered elevated and, in the absence of complaints, does not require treatment, but if you are concerned about fatigue or dry mouth, you must undergo a series of examinations. I recommend that you do a bacteriological test (throat culture), a blood test for sugar, and a test for thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, T4, antibodies to TPO), since these symptoms can be a manifestation of many diseases. I also recommend that you do such a study, an immunogram, and visit an immunologist in person.

Question:Hello, I am 34 years old, female, for about 3 years I have had constant weakness, shortness of breath, and sometimes my arms and legs swell. There is no pain anywhere, dizziness is rare, gynecologically everything is fine, blood pressure is normal, only sometimes there is a temperature of 37.5 and higher, without a cold, just like that. But lately the weakness has been getting worse, especially after sleep, and lately I can’t cure an acute respiratory infection or cold in any way; I’ve been coughing for a month or more (not strong). I won’t go to the doctors about this, I want to ask about it here. Is this chronic fatigue syndrome? And is there any way to get rid of this?

Answer: I advise you to undergo a comprehensive examination without fail, go to a clinic for autonomic disorders or to some psychosomatic clinic, where you will definitely be prescribed consultations with all specialists (psychiatrist, neurologist, endocrinologist, cardiologist). After the examination, the doctors will make a decision about you. Psychotherapy is mandatory in any case!

Question:Hello! I am 19 years old. Over the past week I have been feeling unwell. The stomach hurts, sometimes it radiates to the lower back, and sometimes there is mild nausea. Fatigue, loss of appetite (or rather, sometimes I want to eat, but when I look at the food I feel nauseous), weakness. What could this be connected with? My blood pressure is always low and I have problems with the thyroid gland.

Answer: Perform a blood test, urine test, and a gynecological examination.

Question:Hello. I’m 22, and at work in the office I suddenly became ill. She felt dizzy and almost lost consciousness. No fever, cough, or runny nose. Not a cold. This didn't happen before. And I still feel weak. Lately I have noticed a tired state, after work I fall off my feet, although I work for 8 hours, not physically. I exclude pregnancy, because... I was menstruating. What tests would you recommend to take to determine what’s wrong?

Answer: Hello! Take a comprehensive blood test to rule out anemia first. Test your blood for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) on any day of your cycle. Monitor your blood pressure for several days to see if there is a decrease in pressure. If nothing comes to light, then additionally consult a neurologist to rule out circulatory disorders in the vessels of the spine and brain.

Weakness is a subjective feeling of lack of energy in everyday situations. Complaints of weakness usually arise when actions that were previously familiar and natural suddenly begin to require special effort.

Weakness is often accompanied by symptoms such as confusion, drowsiness, or muscle pain.

Fatigue at the end of a working day or after performing a long or complex job cannot be considered a weakness, since such fatigue is natural for the body. Normal fatigue goes away after rest; healthy sleep and well-spent weekends help a lot. But if sleep does not bring cheerfulness, and a person, having just woken up, already feels tired, then there is a reason to consult a doctor.

Causes of weakness

Weakness can be caused by a number of reasons, including:

• . Weakness is often caused by a lack of vitamin B12, which is essential for making red blood cells (RBCs) and preventing anemia, and is also important for cell growth. Vitamin B12 deficiency leads to the development, which is considered the most common cause of general weakness. Another vitamin whose deficiency leads to weakness is vitamin D. This vitamin is produced by the body when exposed to sunlight. Therefore, in autumn and winter, when daylight hours are short and the sun does not appear often, a lack of vitamin D may be the cause of weakness;
• . Weakness can occur with both increased thyroid function (hyperthyroidism) and decreased function (hypothyroidism). With hypothyroidism, as a rule, there is weakness in the arms and legs, which is described by patients as “everything falls out of hand”, “legs give way”. With hyperthyroidism, general weakness is observed against the background of other characteristic symptoms (nervous excitability, hand tremors, elevated temperature, rapid heartbeat, weight loss while maintaining appetite);
• vegetative-vascular dystonia;
• chronic fatigue syndrome, indicating extreme depletion of vitality;
• Celiac enteropathy (celiac disease) is the inability of the intestines to digest gluten. If at the same time a person consumes products made from flour - bread, pastries, pasta, pizza, etc. – manifestations of indigestion develop (flatulence, diarrhea), accompanied by constant fatigue;
• diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• oncological diseases. In this case, weakness is usually accompanied by low-grade fever;
• lack of fluid in the body. Weakness often comes in the summer during hot weather, when the body loses a lot of water, and it is not possible to restore the water balance in time;
• some medications (antihistamines, antidepressants, beta blockers).

An attack of weakness can also occur in the following cases:

• trauma (with large blood loss);
• brain injury (in combination with neurological symptoms);
• menses;
• intoxication (including during an infectious disease, for example).

Weakness and dizziness

Dizziness quite often occurs against a background of general weakness. A combination of these symptoms may occur in the following cases:

• cerebrovascular accidents;
• a sharp increase or decrease in blood pressure;
• oncological diseases;
• stress;
• in women - during menstruation or.

Weakness and drowsiness

Patients often complain that they want to sleep, but do not have enough strength for normal life activities. The combination of weakness and drowsiness is possible for the following reasons:

• lack of oxygen. The urban atmosphere is poor in oxygen. Constant stay in the city contributes to the development of weakness and drowsiness;
• decrease in atmospheric pressure and magnetic storms. People who are sensitive to weather changes are called weather dependent. If you are weather dependent, bad weather may cause your weakness and drowsiness;
• avitaminosis;
• poor or unhealthy diet;
• hormonal disorders;
• alcohol abuse;
• chronic fatigue syndrome;
• vegetative-vascular dystonia;
• other diseases (including infectious ones - in the early stages, when other symptoms have not yet appeared).

Weakness: what to do?

If weakness is not accompanied by any disturbing symptoms, you can improve your well-being by following these recommendations:

• provide yourself with a normal amount of sleep (6-8 hours a day);
• keep a daily routine (go to bed and get up at the same time);
• try not to be nervous, relieve yourself of stress;
• exercise, provide yourself with optimal physical activity;
• spend more time in the fresh air;
• optimize your nutrition. It should be regular and balanced. Avoid fatty foods. If you are overweight, try to get rid of it;
• make sure to drink enough water (at least 2 liters per day);
• quit smoking and limit your alcohol consumption.

When should you see a doctor if you feel weak?

If weakness does not go away within a few days or, moreover, lasts more than two weeks, you should definitely consult a doctor.

Causes

• Unbalanced menu
• Insufficient rest
• Excessively active or prolonged physical work,
• Disorders of the thyroid gland,
• Depression,
• Frequent drinking of alcoholic beverages,
• Recent infectious or acute respiratory viral disease ( ARVI).

Signs

• Reduced movement power
• Reduced accuracy
• Imbalance of movement
• Rhythm disturbance.

• Nervousness,
• Tearfulness,
• Deterioration of vision,
• lethargy,
• Deterioration of mental function.

Fatigue and weakness are signs of chronic fatigue syndrome

If fatigue is associated with CFS, it is necessarily combined with the inability to concentrate, frequent headaches, lethargy, irritability, sleep disturbance, in which a person cannot sleep at night and walks around drowsy all day. Against the background of such a depressed state, a person’s health deteriorates - body weight changes, he may start drinking to relax, pain in the back and joints appears, indifference to everything, skin diseases and allergies often worsen.

Other signs of chronic fatigue syndrome:

• Decreased concentration,
• Headache,
• Enlarged and painful lymph nodes,
• Lethargy that does not go away for up to six months,
• Lack of freshness and activity after sleep,
• Fatigue after very little exertion.

Increased fatigue

Increased fatigue is a normal condition for adolescents during puberty. However, the psychological environment in which the child lives plays an important role in this case. Sometimes, during depression caused by problems with school or parents, a child may sleep for a very long time - this is a defense mechanism used by the body.

Sometimes increased fatigue is associated with metabolic disorders. If nutrients are processed too quickly for the body to use them as an energy source, or if they take too long to be processed. Such a disorder may be associated both with changes in hormonal levels and with nutritional disorders.

Drowsiness and fatigue are signs of neurasthenia

We increase efficiency

With a decrease in mental and physical performance, the over-the-counter drug Mildronate 250 mg has proven itself well, which optimizes the metabolism inside the body's cells under stress and protects them from damage. The use of Mildronate helps to overcome the consequences of mental and physical overload, increase the effectiveness of sports and intellectual training, and generally improve the quality of life.
The course of the drug is important, which lasts 10–14 days.

Vitamins
With increased physical activity, the body's need for any types of vitamins sharply increases. In this connection, it is preferable to use complex preparations, and the best option is a combination of vitamins and microelements. The duration of treatment should not be less than a month.

To enrich your diet with vitamins, zinc and iron, you can take Spirulina. There are combinations of it with echinacea, rose hips, lemon, royal jelly, and propolis. Such combinations make the drug even more effective.

To stimulate the body
For this purpose, herbal remedies based on Leuzea, Eleutherococcus, ginseng, and Schisandra chinensis are used. Simultaneously with the activation of the body, the drugs improve immunity, increase sexuality, and activate the functions of the nervous system.

Carnitine-based drugs are widely used. They normalize cellular energy metabolism, help cope with increasing physical activity, and reduce muscle fatigue, since cells more easily survive the lack of oxygen and energy production in them is accelerated. These drugs have well-studied anabolic properties ( accelerating metabolism), so they are very good for heavy physical activity.

Preparations based on royal jelly have the same effect ( apilak) and flower pollen. They relieve smooth muscle tension, tone, relieve stress, inflammation, and suppress the development of microbes and viruses. This is necessary due to the fact that during periods of active work the body’s defenses decrease.
Flower pollen contains hormone-like substances that are strong anabolics. In addition, it contains a lot of amino acids and growth factors that help cells recover.
To activate energy metabolism, you can use preparations of succinic acid and amino acids.

Chronic fatigue is a consequence of tissue hypoxia

In this condition, the immune system cannot protect the body from viruses, germs and fungi. Under normal conditions, all these pathogenic agents are easily destroyed by immune bodies.
There are only two ways out of this situation: supply the body with a sufficient amount of oxygen or reduce the intensity of the exercise.

Muscle fatigue

Mental fatigue. Asthenia

From a medical point of view, asthenia is a mental disorder in which the patient feels increased mental fatigue, body weakness, and emotional instability. Dizziness and pain in the joints or muscles are very common.

Asthenia can be a combination of completely different symptoms, such as intolerance to bright light, sounds, and certain smells. The patient becomes very sensitive to pain. Some patients become very vulnerable and anxious, while others, on the contrary, become lethargic and indifferent to everything.
If the disorder is not associated with a disease of the body, then we mean functional asthenia, which develops after severe shocks, after pregnancy and childbirth, and with the use of alcohol and drugs.
The cause of the development of asthenia can also be the use of many medications: these can be hormonal contraceptive pills, sleeping pills, antihistamines, antipsychotics, tranquilizers, antihypertensives.

If asthenic signs are combined with an increase in body temperature, fever, sweating, enlarged cervical lymph nodes and all these ailments last from six months or longer, they may be the only manifestation of encephalitis. Sometimes, after suffering from enterovirus, mononucleosis, adenovirus and other diseases, asthenic syndrome can also be observed.
Another cause of mental fatigue may be a violation of metabolic processes. To clarify the diagnosis in this case, you should take a test for glucose, creatinine, and electrolytes.

Eye fatigue. Asthenopia

Signs:

• Pain in the eyes,
• Headache,
• Difficulty focusing vision.

After some time, vision decreases with asthenopia, the patient begins to squint, has difficulty distinguishing distant objects, and finds it difficult to read.
In order to facilitate the functioning of the visual organs, you should do eye exercises. For example, after every hour of working on the computer, rest for a few minutes and look into the distance ( out the window). Take complex vitamin and mineral preparations, including: vitamins E, A, B2 and B6, amino acids taurine and L-cysteine, trace elements: selenium, copper, zinc, chromium.

But the main thing with asthenopia is not to overwork your eyes. Before going to bed, you need to make a compress with cold water or ice on the eye area, keep it for 10 - 15 minutes. You can do this compress during the day.

Spring fatigue

The cause of the spring blues may be a lack of ultraviolet radiation, oxygen, and physical inactivity. The likelihood of this syndrome occurring in those who spent the winter “lying on the stove” increases fourfold. Such people get sick more easily, their performance is reduced, they get tired faster, and they are drawn to sleep.

Vitamins found in food products will help the body: liver, meat, milk, fruits and vegetables, lean fats. These are vitamins C, D, A, group B, folic acid, beta-carotene. They activate the work of many systems and tone.
Physical activity is also a wonderful remedy for spring fatigue. Walking in the fresh air and contrasting water procedures will help regulate the functioning of the nervous system, improve the condition of blood vessels and strengthen the immune system.

In order to calm frayed nerves, you can take tincture of peony, motherwort, valerian. This will strengthen the body in the fight against stress, and will help not to fall into despondency and despair. And at the same time, avoid exacerbation of various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, which are usually observed against the background of a weakened nervous system.

During pregnancy

A deterioration in general well-being in the first trimester of pregnancy often causes fatigue and bad mood, which usually go away after a good rest. If the feeling of fatigue does not go away, you need to be examined by a doctor. If it is combined with a decrease in body weight or dysfunction of any organs, the woman should be sent to a hospital.
Fatigue is quite severe during multiple pregnancies; in this case, it often manifests itself against the background of high blood pressure, polycystic ovary syndrome, or hormonal imbalance.
Those expectant mothers who have severe toxicosis are also lethargic and powerless and experience frequent and severe vomiting in the first trimester.

In the second and third trimesters, a woman’s body weight increases significantly, which also affects her general condition and causes fatigue. Very often there are disturbances in the functioning of the digestive organs, pain in muscles and bones, itching, and sleep disturbances. These disorders usually resolve on their own after good rest.
Women with impaired renal function, polyhydramnios, fatty liver degeneration, and non-infectious jaundice get tired very quickly. Primipara women tolerate these conditions worse.

What to do if a woman quickly gets tired, exhausted, but at the same time she does not have any physiological deviations from the norm?
1. Sleep 8 - 9 hours a day, the best time to rest is from 22 to 7 am.
2. Before going to bed, it is useful to take a walk, go to the pool or do light exercises.
3. Before going to bed, ventilate the room well.
4. Take a shower before bed.
5. Drink 200 ml of slightly warmed milk with a spoon of honey.
6. Eat a piece of boiled turkey - it contains the substance tryptophan, which improves sleep.
7. For comfortable sleep, use several small pillows. Place them between your knees, under your lower back, or whatever is comfortable.
8. Rest for half an hour after lunch.
9. Eat a balanced diet, monitor the presence of vitamins in your diet. Spinach, apples, apricots, currants, rose hips, pomegranates, buckwheat, rye bread, carrots are very useful.

The child has

A common cause of fatigue is emotional overload. With such problems, the child’s many systems may go wrong. The baby may sleep poorly, be hyperactive, and refuse to attend child care. Fatigue may also be caused by lack of sleep.

If fatigue is observed in a teenager, then there may be nothing to worry about. This is quite natural: phases of activity are replaced by phases of passivity.
There are a number of medications that can suppress a child's energy. When using any medications, you should talk to your doctor about possible side effects.
One of the common causes of fatigue in children is anemia. A blood test will give an accurate answer to the question of its presence.
Chronic infectious diseases also significantly reduce a child's energy levels.

Diagnostics

The following methods can be prescribed, used for both adult patients and children:

• 24-hour blood pressure test,
• Examination of the condition of the fundus,
• Duplex transcranial scanning of the vessels of the neck and head,
• Conversation with a psychologist,
• Tests for hormone levels, blood biochemistry, urine and blood tests, immunogram,
• Sometimes consultations with a cardiologist, gastroenterologist and other specialists are necessary.

How to deal with this phenomenon?

Traditional methods

Vitamins

• improve food digestion,
• improve immunity,
• strengthen the body in extreme conditions,
• help cleanse tissues of metabolic products,
• prevent allergic phenomena, osteoporosis, caries,
• regulate the functioning of the nervous system.

Treatment with water procedures

Medical treatment