Sursă articol: https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-sanatate-26159021-simtim-obositi-aceasta-perioada-poate-ascunde-oboseala-noi-exista-mitul-acela-mai-uita-buletin-care-prostie.htmMany of us feel tired during this period. The fatigue we experience isn’t necessarily a surprise, considering that we’ve been through two years of a pandemic, there’s a war at our border, and, not least, we’re also going through a seasonal change during these weeks. But what are the causes of fatigue, how diverse are they, and when should we be concerned?
We spoke and tried to find answers together with Dr. Daciana Toma, a family doctor and vice-president of the National Society of Family Medicine, and Andreea Chiru Maga, a psychotherapist.
Fatigue can have a multitude of causes: from lack of sleep or seasonal changes to anemia, heart disease, liver disease, or cancer.
Fatigue can have many causes, and there are numerous situations in which it can occur—ranging from lack of sleep to a newly developed illness or one that has been present for some time but has since become more complicated. What matters greatly is for the person experiencing fatigue to ask themselves: How long have I been feeling tired? explains Dr. Daciana Toma to HotNews.ro.
“For example, if you work more than usual, have slept less recently, or have been to a party with loud noise and music, it is natural to feel tired,” says Dr. Daciana Toma.
During this period, there is also the transition from winter to spring, spring asthenia – the body has gone through a time when it hasn’t consumed as many greens, vegetables, and fresh fruits. There were also the winter holidays, many people overindulged, we are not in a vacation period either because most people take their vacations in the summer, and we are also dealing with a lack of sun exposure. All these factors – the body’s rhythm, the way you eat – can lead to a state of fatigue, says Dr. Daciana Toma.
If fatigue has no apparent reason and persists, the cause should be investigated. Dr. Daciana Toma emphasizes that beyond fatigue caused by these factors, long-term fatigue that we cannot explain could also be a sign of a disease or the worsening of an existing condition: “It is important that if we have a patient who feels tired, we should check what is happening – it could be anemia, but it could also be related to cardiac pathology, such as advancing heart failure. You might experience fatigue in a chronic respiratory disease that is advancing or decompensating, among other things. Many forms of cancer are associated with fatigue, as are liver diseases, kidney pathology, and so on,” explains Dr. Daciana Toma.
Dr. Daciana Toma, family doctor / Photo: INQUAM Photos / Octav Ganea
If fatigue has no apparent reason and persists, the cause should be investigated. Dr. Daciana Toma emphasizes that beyond fatigue caused by these factors, long-term fatigue that we cannot explain could also be a sign of a disease or the worsening of an existing condition: “It is important that if we have a patient who feels tired, we should check what is happening – it could be anemia, but it could also be related to cardiac pathology, such as advancing heart failure. You might experience fatigue in a chronic respiratory disease that is advancing or decompensating, among other things. Many forms of cancer are associated with fatigue, as are liver diseases, kidney pathology, and so on,” explains Dr. Daciana Toma.
So, if fatigue persists and there is no obvious cause for it, it is best to consult a doctor and undergo some investigations to determine whether it is related to a disease or simply spring asthenia: “We should not ignore the signals that our body is sending us,” advises Dr. Daciana Toma.
Romanians are not accustomed to going to the doctor just because they feel tired.
Romanians are not accustomed to going to the doctor just because they feel tired, Dr. Daciana Toma adds. Usually, they “wait to have something else as well,” and in the end, it emerges from the doctor’s discussion with them that they also feel tired, in addition to the “something else” for which they came to the doctor: “We are so used to not going to the doctor… Of course, there are many explanations for this, including access to medical services.”
Additionally, Dr. Daciana Toma says, “There is also the myth here that says ‘just look at your ID,’ which is nonsense. Even a 90-year-old person, if they say they are getting tired differently with a certain type of effort than they did a week ago, that is very important to me as a doctor.”
Fatigue / Photo: Tero Vesalainen | Dreamstime.com
Dr. Daciana Toma recounts that she has had young patients who experienced fatigue due to anemia or heavy menstruation: “It should not be ignored.”
If it is just spring asthenia, things are a bit simpler. Daciana Toma recommends that in this case, you should get plenty of sleep, take advantage of every ray of sunshine, check for any vitamin deficiencies, and if so, supplement those deficiencies.
Increase in the number of patients reporting higher levels of stress and fatigue after the pandemic
In recent years, we went through a pandemic, then a war at the border, and all these periods marked by uncertainty and increased stress tend to settle like layers of a cake, explains psychotherapist Andreea Chiru Maga for HotNews.ro.
Andreea Chiru Maga says that against this backdrop, the number of patients reporting increased stress or even burnout has risen. This occurs after a long period of stress, which involved a state of alert and a higher level of stress, remaining much more prominent and accelerated than usual.
Andreea Chiru Maga, psychotherapist / Photo: Personal archive
“When we are in situations of uncertainty, our mind seeks as many solutions as possible, which means we are in a state of alert. After we moved past the pandemic, we entered another state of uncertainty related to the war between Russia and Ukraine. We are talking about yet another level of stress that has settled, like layers of a cake, on top of a situation that was already vulnerable,” says Andreea Chiru Maga.
In such a situation, we naturally wonder what is happening to us, and the response to stress begins in the brain, explains Andreea Chiru Maga: “When someone faces a stressful situation, information is sent to the amygdala—a part of the brain involved in emotional processing. The amygdala interprets the information, and when a danger is perceived, it sends an immediate danger signal to the hypothalamus. Essentially, this part of the brain acts as a command center; it is our main software. It communicates with the rest of the body through our nervous system so that the person has the energy and reaction needed. When we are in a high state of stress, our brain already sends information and signals the body, preparing it to react. If the brain continues to perceive something as dangerous, stress hormones—such as cortisol—will be released. This stress hormone helps the body, and when the threat passes, cortisol levels decrease. Cortisol helps us put our body on alert and aids in replenishing energy reserves.”
“Imagine a car that is revved up all day, every day.”
“Imagine a car that is revved up all day, every day. For example, when we go to bed, we are still bombarded by this elevated level of stress,” explains the psychotherapist.
Even appetite is stronger when our bodies are overstressed.
If we look at our lives over the past 3 years, work activity has changed—it may have remained in a hybrid or online space, which has greatly altered work behavior: some worked very little, while others worked a lot or in a chaotic manner. “This aspect has also created a space of uncertainty,” says the psychotherapist.
Additionally, children stayed home, did not attend school for a long period, and interacted less with their peers.
And relationships between couples and within families changed significantly during the pandemic.
Fatigue / Photo: Anyaberkut | Dreamstime.com
“Basically, we moved from one period of stress to another. So, it is absolutely natural for our bodies and minds to become fatigued,” says Andreea Chiru Maga.
Additionally, during this period, we are also going through a change of seasons: “So, imagine that our body has an internal clock that adjusts according to the light levels and the season we are in. Not surprisingly, people are much more energetic in the summer, when there is more light and they spend more time outside, while we have much less energy in the winter, when we spend less time outdoors and more indoors.”
Like Dr. Daciana Toma, Andreea Chiru Maga emphasizes that beyond these factors, it is essential to always consider that fatigue can have a clinical basis—it might hide a medical issue.
“If we are dealing with a state of fatigue related to the changing season, which is quite common, it often passes on its own. However, if we experience feelings of sadness, fears, excessive worries, or even confusion, reduced concentration, mood swings, or a tendency to withdraw socially, if fatigue affects our sleep, causing insomnia, if we struggle to cope with daily problems, notice an increase in alcohol or drug use, eat more, have altered sexual desires, experience excessive anger, violent behavior, or even suicidal thoughts, it is very important to consult a psychiatrist or psychologist.”
What can we do if we feel tired?
A few recommendations from psychotherapist Andreea Chiru Maga for those who feel tired during this period:
- We can turn to exercise, which can be a good stress reliever. Consider walking, biking, swimming, cleaning, or any activity that keeps us active. Maintain a healthy diet, eat well, and remember that laughter can be a very good therapy.
- Meditation is also a strategy. It is important to avoid unhealthy habits—such as consuming caffeine, alcohol, and smoking. These habits do not contribute to long-term well-being.
- It is beneficial to spend as much time outside as possible. Take advantage of every opportunity to be in the sunlight.
- It’s important to connect with loved ones, not to isolate ourselves.
Fatigue / Photo: Kaspars Grinvalds | Dreamstime.com
Additionally, we need to learn to say no. The tendency is to say yes, which often overwhelms us. Saying no can help you manage the tasks you need to handle better.
- It is recommended to get enough sleep.
- Have a calming and relaxing routine before bed—set aside gadgets and the TV, and listen to relaxing music, for example. Our brain loves routine. Even if it seems boring, routine is important for our well-being.
- Seek help when you feel overwhelmed.
- Consider psychotherapy if you find that you are unable to calm down.
Photo source: Fatigue – Lenaivanova2311 | Dreamstime.com
