Feeling constantly tired is an unpleasant and distressing sensation. This permanent fatigue, also known as asthenia, can occur at any time, even when you have had a good night’s sleep. Although it may be caused by temporary factors, such as a more intense lifestyle, it can also be a symptom of an illness.
To prevent fatigue in winter and enjoy maximum energy every day, we invite you to discover the various causes of chronic fatigue and solutions to improve your well-being.
Summary
How can you relieve chronic fatigue?
What is chronic fatigue?
What causes chronic fatigue?
Chronic fatigue syndromes
How can you assess your level of fatigue?
Complications associated with chronic fatigue
1-What is chronic fatigue?
Permanent or abnormal fatigue is a state of continuous tiredness that cannot be relieved by rest. It should be distinguished from “normal” fatigue, which is caused by a busy day and can disappear after a good night’s sleep.
Permanent fatigue is extremely debilitating, leading to a deterioration in quality of life and making it more difficult to carry out everyday tasks. Getting up or going to work can become very complicated, or even impossible for some people.
When talking about chronic fatigue or asthenia, the most commonly cited symptoms are often a feeling of weariness and difficulty performing everyday tasks. Those affected also feel tired as soon as they wake up, even after many hours of sleep.
Every daily task performed at home or outside becomes a real chore.
According to VIDAL France, the leading source of information on healthcare products in France, 10 to 25% of people visiting their general practitioner report symptoms of fatigue, sometimes described as permanent.
2-What causes chronic fatigue?
Before discussing chronic fatigue and discovering its causes, it is necessary to identify the type of fatigue you are experiencing: normal or abnormal fatigue. The feeling of fatigue and the desire to sleep may be due to reactive or temporary fatigue, mental fatigue, or fatigue related to a chronic illness.
Reactive or temporary fatigue
We talk about reactive or temporary fatigue when it is caused by a temporary illness or a change in lifestyle: lack of sleep, intense physical activity, stress, overwork, etc.
After surgery or in the event of a viral or bacterial infection, you may also feel tired for several days. However, once you have fully recovered and had sufficient rest, you will regain your full energy levels.
It should be noted, however, that certain conditions, such as COVID-19, mononucleosis, and influenza, which are viral diseases, can cause chronic fatigue lasting more than six months.
Mental fatigue
Known as psychasthenia, mental fatigue is caused by:
- Sleep disorders
- A sedentary lifestyle leading to poor physical condition
- Stress
- Depression
Taking certain medications can also cause fatigue. If you feel tired all the time, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor.
Fatigue associated with chronic illness
In some cases, persistent fatigue can be a symptom of a chronic illness such as:
- Anemia
- Iron deficiency
- Fibromyalgia syndrome
- Chronic hepatitis B
- Chronic hepatitis C
- A thyroid disorder (hypothyroidism)
- Lupus
- Type 2 diabetes
- Crohn’s disease
- A neurological disease
- A muscle disease
- A sleep disorder (sleep apnea)
It should be noted that, according to VIDAL France, 3 to 4% of the French population is affected by sleep apnea, which is characterized by a pause in breathing lasting a few seconds during rest. Feeling tired upon waking is one of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea. Specific tests are required to detect this condition. That is why it is essential to consult your general practitioner if you experience abnormal fatigue.
Among the conditions whose symptoms include constant fatigue or sleep disorders, we can also mention fibromyalgia or fibromyalgia syndrome. This condition is characterized by persistent widespread pain, especially in the muscles and joints, intense fatigue, anxiety, headaches, abdominal pain, numbness, etc. As these varied symptoms can also be linked to many other diseases, it is very difficult to diagnose fibromyalgia and it is therefore often inadequately treated. However, according to INSERM, fibromyalgia has a major impact on quality of life and social and professional activities.
3-Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
In some cases, persistent fatigue is considered a symptom of chronic fatigue syndrome. Known as yuppie syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome mainly affects people aged 35 and over, and can occur suddenly. It should be noted that, according to INSERM, chronic fatigue mainly affects women.
Chronic fatigue syndrome is diagnosed when symptoms last for more than 6 months. These symptoms generally include:
- Constant fatigue
- Difficulty standing upright
- Feeling unwell after moderate to intense exercise
- Memory and concentration problems
- Joint and muscle pain
To date, the causes of chronic fatigue syndrome remain undefined and unofficial, and there is no known specific treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome. However, it is possible to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life, particularly through the use of natural dietary supplements.
4-How can you assess your level of fatigue?
If you feel extremely tired for no reason, you can assess your level of fatigue using the Pichot fatigue scale. This consists of a questionnaire (see below) with eight statements to which you must assign a score between 0 and 4, corresponding to your overall level of fatigue. 0 represents “not at all” and 4 represents “extremely.”
- I am low on energy.
- Everything requires effort.
- I feel weak in certain parts of my body.
- My arms or legs feel heavy.
- I feel tired for no reason.
- I want to lie down and rest.
- I have trouble concentrating.
- I feel tired, heavy, and stiff.
Once you have rated your fatigue for each of these points, simply add up each number to obtain your fatigue score. If your score is higher than 22, it means that you are prone to excessive fatigue. However, this test is for informational purposes only, and a doctor’s diagnosis will be necessary to confirm whether your fatigue is abnormal or not.
5-Complications related to chronic fatigue
Persistent fatigue can be a symptom of an underlying condition that has not yet been diagnosed. If you experience abnormal fatigue that persists even after prolonged rest, it is advisable to consult a general practitioner as soon as possible so that various tests can be carried out to determine whether the fatigue is caused by a medical condition.
Furthermore, when fatigue becomes more severe and prevents you from performing everyday tasks, it can greatly impair your quality of life and lead to total exhaustion. It is therefore essential to seek support in order to cope with it.
How can you relieve constant fatigue?
When winter arrives or during periods of intense fatigue, taking natural dietary supplements can provide real support and help you feel energized from the start of the day.
To boost your energy levels and improve the quality of your sleep, LABRHA has developed two phytotherapy solutions in the form of natural dietary supplements.
Fibro Classique :
A course of natural dietary supplements containing royal jelly, meadowsweet, ginger root, vitamin C, and acerola to reduce fatigue; and griffonia simplicifolia, chamomile, passionflower, meadowsweet, and L-tyrosine to promote restful sleep.
The Fibro Classique range has been shown in a study to improve Pichot scores and reduce sleep disorders.
Fibro Forte :
An innovative herbal medicine solution composed of white willow, acerola, ginseng, L-tyrosine, and magnesium, to be taken in the morning, and white willow, valerian, eschscholzia, passionflower, and L-tryptophan, to be taken in the evening.
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