Chronic fatigue syndrome is a complicated syndrome characterized by constant tiredness for at least six months. Other common symptoms include weakness, dizziness that worsens with movement or lying down, poor sleep, and trouble concentrating. The cause of chronic fatigue is unknown, and researchers believe that a variety of factors trigger this condition. However, there are other theories that suggest fatigue to be a cause of viral infections, bodily changes, and poor lifestyles. 

In this blog post, we will be discussing the common causes of chronic fatigue and ways how you can combat it. 

Causes of Fatigue 

Weak Immune System

Mounting evidence suggests that chronic fatigue could be triggered by an underlying biological process, such as immune dysfunction, which is often due to a viral infection. Studies have shown that 50% to 70% of patients with chronic fatigue reported that their symptoms occurred after they were diagnosed with some sort of viral infection. Besides, the majority of CFS cases have other autoimmune diseases, like fibromyalgia. 

Hormonal Imbalances 

Many times, a hormonal imbalance could also lead to chronic fatigue. Your body should maintain a state of equilibrium where hormones are balanced properly. Otherwise, you could go through symptoms such as tiredness and weight gain. In both men and women, low levels of testosterone could be a major reason for low energy levels. Before taking medications, you should consider getting a testosterone test from a reputed lab. Plus, now testosterone testing made easy as some labs allow patients to schedule tests without a physician’s referral. Once you are sure about your hormone imbalance, you could seek the required treatment. 

Depression 

Depression is another common cause of fatigue. In fact, both disorders have some similar symptoms. Thus, many people may confuse one with the other. However, having depression for a long time can cause extreme exhaustion and tiredness. Symptoms of depression include persistent sadness, hopelessness, disinterest in things that you once enjoyed, trouble concentrating, and other physical symptoms, such as headaches and poor sleep. Experiencing these symptoms, in the long run, can trigger exhaustion, and the person starts feeling tired all the time. Hence, if you think your fatigue is due to anxiety or depression, make sure to consult your primary doctor and seek medical help. 

How to Combat Fatigue? 

While patients prefer medications to seek temporary relief, it is advised to incorporate some lifestyle changes in order to avoid fatigue in your everyday life. Below, we have shared a few of the simple yet effective lifestyle changes that you can try to combat low energy levels. 

  • Eat Healthy: Eating healthy food will boost your body’s natural energy levels. Prepare a diet plan which includes all the essential nutrients, from protein and vitamins to minerals and fibers. Eat foods that boost your energy, such as oatmeal, bananas, lentils, hummus, dates, and eggs. Avoid consuming processed carbs, as they drain your energy.
  • Exercise More: While you may think that burning calories through exercising can help a tired person, it actually helps. Exercising regularly releases endorphins (the body’s natural painkillers) which further increase the secretion of serotonin in your brain, and you feel excited. You don’t necessarily need to hit the gym to work out; you could engage in any physical activity that makes your heart rate go up. For instance, aerobics, zumba, dancing, or just brisk walking would work. 
  • Manage Stress: While stress is common in everyday life, chronic stress can have a significant impact on your energy levels. Feeling emotionally worn out and drained can affect your physical performance. Thus, make sure to manage your stress levels by exercising and eating a balanced diet. 
  • Take Plenty of Rest: If you think you’re not getting quality sleep, find ways how you can improve your sleep pattern. Apart from that, find ways to relax your mind and unwind. You could do yoga exercises, such as deep breathing exercises, to reduce stress, improve immunity, and increase energy levels. 

In today’s fast-paced world, where we are constantly tied up with strict deadlines and other life challenges, stress and anxiety can easily slide in. While occasional stress is common, stress accumulation in the long term can affect your health in many ways. Fatigue is one of the common side effects. Hence, instead of avoiding these symptoms, you should put in efforts to acknowledge your health condition and find ways how you can get relief. Besides, make sure to get yourself checked by a doctor to know whether you have an underlying condition that might be causing fatigue.