Fatigue

After a long period of work, you may feel tired and out of energy. Doing simple daily tasks may even feel draining. Fatigue is a condition where you feel tired and have low energy or motivation to do work.
It is often a result of your lifestyle choices and will typically resolve with adequate rest and a healthy diet. If your fatigue does not improve, you need to see your healthcare provider.

Fatigue can be due to your habits, work routines or even mental health condition. It can also be a symptom of a medical condition that should be treated. Fatigue can result from the following:

• If you have been unable to sleep well for a while, you may become fatigued. This may be caused by either waking too soon, being unable to continue sleeping or not sleeping deeply enough.
• Taking alcohol or recreational drugs frequently can make you fatigued.
• If you are physically or emotionally stressed.
• If you have some medical conditions like infections, cancer or liver diseases.
• If you are anxious, sad or depressed.
• It can also be caused by medications, such as pain relief medicines.

Fatigue may be a way of your body telling you to relax. However, it may also mean you have an illness that requires medical attention. To avoid potential complications from these illnesses or even poor quality of life from fatigue, you need to visit your healthcare provider:

• If you often feel tired without any apparent reason, even after resting.
• If you can hear or feel your heartbeat while at rest (abnormal heartbeats).
• If you find it difficult to concentrate, remember things or feel like you may be depressed.
• When you begin to find it difficult to fall or stay asleep.
• If you notice your breathing becoming abnormal.
• If you experience fatigue together with fever, weight loss or loss of appetite.

You can prevent fatigue and tiredness by being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight and eating a healthy, balanced diet. It is best to get between 7 to 8 hours of rest every night (for adults and more for children). Don't go without sleep during the week, hoping you can binge sleep on the weekend.

Self-care Tips:

• Most people will recover by taking adequate bed rest with minimal activities.
• You may need to avoid work or outdoor activities that worsen your fatigue.
• You could try new habits that may help you sleep better, such as turning off the lights or staying away from the television at bedtime.
• Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is helpful.
• It would help if you reduced caffeine and alcohol in your diet.
• Quit smoking if you smoke.

Medical Treatment

• Your healthcare provider may prescribe medications that help to improve your sleep.
• Your healthcare provider may also recommend an appropriate treatment for a medical illness that is causing your fatigue.

Feeling tired and drained is likely to affect your productivity and quality of life. This is why all work also requires some play and rest. Give your body and mind some time to rest, avoid burn-out and feel refreshed enough to carry out your daily tasks as usual.

When you recover, the best way to avoid fatigue is to eat a healthy diet and exercising every day. Exercise can help you to cope with stress and to keep a high energy level throughout your day.