General weakness, exhaustion, feeling of weakness, as well as malaise and rapid fatigue are symptoms from the complex of mood disorders. In general, they also include lack of strength, chronic weakness, faintness and the like. Fatigue and low resilience are characterized as independent symptoms. These disorders of well-being may have physical or psychological causes.
What is generalized weakness?
Fatigue is a general feeling of listlessness, languor, listlessness, and tiredness that lasts throughout the day. Fatigue and weakness are a phenomenon that everyone experiences from time to time. Most of the time, the reasons for it are clear (an exhausting period at work, a lot of stress in the previous days, colds, etc.) and are not a cause for concern. However, fatigue can also indicate serious illnesses such as cardiovascular disorders. Fatigue refers to a general feeling of listlessness, lassitude, listlessness and tiredness that lasts throughout the day. Those affected find it difficult to get going, feel emotionally and physically weak and listless. In normal forms of fatigue, which have natural causes, they should not last more than a few days. If the chronic fatigue lasts for weeks or even months, a deeper investigation of the causes is called for. Then it is appropriate to ask, what is the reason for the fatigue?
Causes
Fatigue and weakness can have many causes and it is also advisable to take the accompanying symptoms under the microscope. Extreme weather changes, labor-intensive periods in advance, jet lag, a strenuous trip, emotional exhaustion can be natural causes that do not cause a stir. But also serious physical and mental reasons can be the reason for exhaustion. Various illnesses also have exhaustion and general weakness as symptoms. For example, it is necessary to clarify whether anemia is present, whereby a low iron content in the blood can be an indication. Is the fatigue accompanied by a drop in blood pressure? Is the person affected nauseous or suffering from dizziness? What other symptoms are evident? All this can help to find the disease that may accompany the fatigue. It should also be remembered that fatigue that persists can be an indication of depression or another mental illness. After all, when the body or soul is ill, the first symptom is usually lassitude.
Diseases with this symptom
- Common cold
- Heart muscle inflammation
- Inflammation of the intestine (enteritis)
- Depression
- Kidney weakness
- Crohn’s disease
- Sunstroke
- Ulcerative colitis
- Hypothyroidism
- Mumps
- Anemia
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Gastrointestinal flu
- Dumping syndrome
- Adrenocortical-
insufficiency
Physical weakness
Bodily well-being disorders can be caused by diseases, health impairments or disabilities. In most cases, these disorders of well-being are the first signs of a coming disease, such as cold or angina tonsillaris. The ingestion of toxins can also cause similar symptoms of this type. Therefore, in case of accident or indisposition, a doctor should be consulted immediately. However, changes in weather and climate are also often the cause of general weakness or other changes in condition. Odors, disgust, menstruation, menopause and puberty can likewise be the cause of serious sensitivities.
Mental weakness
Befindlichkeitsstörungen that have psychosomatic causes are, for example, adverse living conditions, stress or lack of exercise. If these negative sensations are not relieved over a long period of time, chronic mood disorders may also develop or mental illnesses may occur. Insomnia, alcoholism, depressions
Are mentioned here only as an example.
Diagnosis and course
Even a summer heat can lead to general weakness, as well as persistent heavy physical work, too much sports performance or insufficient fluid intake. In addition, of course, there is exhaustion due to illness and a weakness of the body due to surgical procedures.Each individual case must therefore be well examined. Older people may drink too little or the circulation may not cope with changes in the weather. Younger people are weakened due to menstruation, hormone surges, stress or overwork. If the circulation is at rock bottom, therapy is needed to prevent collapse. Otherwise, measures are based on the causes so that the progression of weakness, which can otherwise lead to true exhaustion and life-threatening conditions, is halted.
Complications
Persistent states of weakness are a great burden on one’s mental and physical well-being. Ignoring them and fighting them as long as possible reciprocally worsens the condition. If left untreated, permanent general weakness leads to serious dysfunction of organ systems. With treatment, the chance of recovery is many times higher. If left untreated, depression eventually sets in, exacerbating the symptoms. A spiral of emotional lows and physical symptoms develops. These can go as far as bedriddenness with real pain throughout the body. The more different complaints that develop, the more protracted the search for the cause can be. If left untreated, the general weakness can lead to social isolation, long periods of illness and occupational disability. Organic diseases as triggers are usually quickly found and treatable thanks to good diagnostic methods. The elimination of mental causes requires patience and cooperation of the patient. In the beginning, short-term relapses may occur, even with medical support. If, however, there is a general tendency toward improvement after a few weeks, the chosen course of treatment should be continued. Self-medication without thorough diagnostics is not an alternative to specialist treatment of drive disorders or general weakness. The interrelationships of the possible causes are too complex. The consequences of incorrect treatment are incalculable.
When should you see a doctor?
A state of general weakness is usually temporary. After a few days, many people experience spontaneous healing and the state of weakness is overcome. General weakness is experienced by almost everyone throughout life. It is not a cause for concern under normal circumstances. Since the triggers are often associated with current life events, the feeling of lassitude disappears once the situations are overcome. If the state of general weakness can be classified as long-lasting, a doctor should be consulted. Behind the symptoms may be hidden mental and physical ailments. To find the causes, it is highly recommended to consult a doctor. As soon as the general weakness lasts for several weeks or months, it should not be trivialized. This is especially true if there are no incidents such as stress, colds, or stress in the family or work environment. Since a collapse as well as a life-threatening condition are imminent in case of a continuing general weakness, affected persons should consult a specialist in these cases. It is advisable to be self-reflective in advance. The general weakness can be well documented in self-observation. In this way, triggering moments and the duration of the lassitude can be perceived more consciously. These can be used preventively over the lifespan in the event of a recurrence.
Treatment and therapy
First, it is important to find out the causes of the lassitude or weakness in order to be able to treat them effectively. It may be that a period of rest is enough to recharge your batteries if it is a simple form. Possibly the time is also ripe for a vacation again? Checking blood values, urine and blood pressure can also often provide further information. If anemia is the reason for the fatigue, a blood transfusion can help. If depression is behind the symptoms, antidepressants are administered, and adequate medication for other mental illnesses. Vitamins in the form of a healthy, balanced diet are always beneficial against fatigue. However, it is also possible that the symptoms of fatigue are caused by a sleep disturbance. In this case, oxygen therapy is sometimes used. If the doctor detects a bacterial infection, antibiotics are administered.Cardiovascular diseases, which can cause symptoms of fatigue, nausea and listlessness, should also be clarified in advance. Serious illnesses can also bring on fatigue.
Outlook and prognosis
Depending on the cause, general debility has different prognoses and chances of recovery. For psychological causes, the prognosis depends on the patient. Lack of exercise, on the other hand, can be easily diagnosed by a physician and abolished by lifestyle changes. There are numerous self-help groups and other activities partially supported by health insurance: No one is alone with his or her problems if he or she does not want to be. Even with stress or generally adverse life circumstances, a doctor can only help to a limited extent. Here, too, much is in the hands of the patient. Such psychologically induced forms of general weakness can easily lead to illnesses such as alcoholism or depression, which in turn can be treated. The chances of recovery are good if the patient cooperates. General weakness can also have physical causes. These can be serious diseases such as cardiovascular disorders. These require constant treatment, but are also quite treatable if detected early. Changes in the weather or puberty can also cause general weakness, which usually passes quickly. Women can be affected by generalized weakness due to hormones: Some experience such a phase during menstruation, while other women are affected during menopause. Such symptoms pass when these phases subside, but can be treated hormonally and at least attenuated even before that.
Prevention
As complex as the reasons for weakness and fatigue can be, there is much that each individual can do to prevent them. After a stressful period, one should consciously take rest periods and practice relaxation techniques. Exercise in the fresh air and a healthy diet increase the immune system, as well as the sense of well-being and, consequently, the drive. If the patient is prone to certain diseases that are associated with fatigue, regular checks of blood values, for example, are useful. Excessive coffee consumption or even stimulants, on the other hand, are taboo. Keep your hands off supposed pick-me-ups. Their effect lasts only briefly and masks the actual causes. The underlying cause of fatigue, however, remains undiscovered. Instead, the causes of fatigue should be examined by a doctor.
What you can do yourself
In the case of general weakness, the first thing to do is to determine the causes of fatigue. Often, even a period of rest is enough to overcome the weakness and gain new strength. Sufficient exercise, enough night sleep and a balanced diet can remedy a variety of causes, such as a vitamin D deficiency, and increase overall well-being. It is also possible that the feelings of weakness are due to a cold or flu, which can often be treated by bed rest and sufficient fluids. Deep breathing in the fresh air quickly makes the body fit again after a strenuous trip or a stressful day and supplies the brain with the oxygen it needs. In addition, general weakness can be treated through dietary measures. Invigorating foods include almonds, mangoes and bananas, as well as taiga root, chia or hemp seeds, which provide the body with energy and relieve feelings of fatigue. Home remedies such as a hot bath or various cures help to relax and speed up the recovery process after an illness or stressful periods of life. However, if the feeling of weakness persists over a longer period of time, a doctor must clarify the causes.
