Dealing with Fatigue

You may be one of the millions of Americans who complain about feeling a sense of fatigue that makes it difficult to get on with life. The Harvard Medical school explains there is a distinction between just feeling tired and fatigue, which “includes components that are physical (weariness or weakness), mental (lack of concentration and sharpness), and emotional (lack of motivation or boredom).”

Some of the causes of fatigue may be easier to identify such as lingering symptoms from an illness like Covid or the flu, or side effects from medical treatments like chemo-therapy. Even some medications are known to cause tiredness. When fatigue is ongoing and interfering with day-to-day activities, doctors say you should consult with your healthcare provider.

Your doctor can look for things like anemia as it can be a reason for a decline in energy. It occurs when a person’s blood has too few red blood cells, or cells without enough hemoglobin that is used to transport oxygen throughout the bloodstream. Heart disease is another cause of fatigue as it can make the heart pump less efficiently and result in fluid build-up in lungs. This can lead to a reduction in the amount of oxygen able to circulate into the lungs and heart.

Other causes of fatigue include depression and insomnia that often can go hand in hand. However antidepressants, which are often prescribed to treat depression as well as certain blood pressure meds and antihistamines, can increase tiredness.

Experts say while fatigue caused by medical or mental health needs to be attended to by your physician; there are self-help things you can do to manage or treat fatigue every day. The first is to get in the habit of exercising. Next watch what you eat and try to reduce your consumption of fried and over-processed foods. Following a low glycemic diet may help boost energy. Other tips include staying hydrated, reducing alcohol and watching how much coffee you drink each day.

At MorningStar of Beaverton, we proudly provide senior living older adults can count on. Our community offers a choice of senior living options including independent living, assisted living and memory care. Please contact us today and let us show you around our beautiful community.