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Causes
Fatigue is a feeling of fatigue and general weakness associated with loss of muscle strength and a generalized lack of energy. The word asthenia derives from the Greek asthenes, which really means “lacking in strength”: in case of asthenia, what you feel is a reduction of physical and mental strength and reduced fatigue resistance. Generally, asthenia is distinguished from normal fatigue because it does not resolve with rest and does not manifest itself as a result of intense physical exertion.
Although asthenia has no apparent cause, in reality it can occur for various reasons and is often linked to an excess of physical or mental stress. In many cases, asthenia has psychosomatic origin and is therefore linked to anxiety, depression and other mood disorders. Sometimes, the lack of energy it may appear at certain times of the year, for example during season changes in spring and autumn or in some life situations. Many women can suffer from asthenia during pregnancy, during the menstrual cycle or in menopause. The people who play intense sports they can have significant drops in energy when they neglect the recovery phases. In other cases, asthenia is a symptom given by the presence of more or less serious pathologies.
What to do
Nutrition, rest and physical activity are three aspects to take care of when you feel tired and excessively fatigued. Thanks to a healthy and balanced diet, the body obtains the calories, macronutrients – i.e. carbohydrates, proteins and fats – and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) necessary and indispensable for have enough energy to carry out all daily activities. In reverse, unbalanced diets can lead to nutritional deficiencies or to burden the digestive system, causing greater fatigue.
To avoid bad habits such as cigarette smoking and the consumption of alcoholic beverages can then give further help to combat asthenia. Although fatigue is not resolved simply by resting, if you sleep badly or for an insufficient number of hours, it is normal for you to feel fatigued upon awakening and not have the energy to face daily commitments.
Finally, you don’t have to underestimate the importance of movement against asthenia: even light but constant physical activity allows to strengthen the body and increase resistance to stress and fatigue.
Three remedies for fatigue
To combat asthenia, excessive tiredness and the feeling of physical and mental fatigue, natural remedies come to the rescue that they help the body cope with stress and lack of energy. The most useful in this sense are ginseng, eleutherococcus and rhodiola, to be taken in the form of a food supplement. When are these remedies useful? When you feel tired and without strength for no apparent reason, during the change of seasons or in particularly demanding and stressful periods at work and in the study.
Ginseng
Ginseng root contains ginsenosides and polysaccharides with tonic and regenerating properties, useful for regaining energy in case of asthenia and physical and mental fatigue. It should be hired for maximum three months in the form of a food supplement in capsules or tablets or in herbal tea, prepared with one gram of root for each cup of water, to be consumed up to three times a day. As an alternative to herbal tea, mother tincture can be administered, diluting 30 drops in water, three times a day.
Eleutherococcus
Eleutherococcus root contains eleutherosides, compounds that help fight fatigue and physical and mental exhaustion caused by excessive stress, convalescence and overexertion. Several products based on eleutherococcus are available on the market, often associated with other plants with a similar action, such as ginseng. Generally it it is taken in the morning and the benefits are noticeable after about four weeks. The use of eleutherococcus should go suspended after two months.
Rhodes
Rhodiola is another remedy that is used to combat asthenia, physical and mental fatigue and for improve their performance in study, work and in general in daily commitments. Rhodiola supplements are prepared using the root of the plant titrated in rosavin, the active compound of this remedy. The dosage recommended daily is between 300 and 600 milligrams of rhodiola extract.
When to worry
Fatigue can be a symptom of numerous ailments and pathologies, more or less serious. Excessive fatigue that does not resolve with lifestyle correction and thanks to natural remedies can result from food intolerances, sleep disorders that cause sleep apnea, diseases involving the liver, kidneys or heart, infections, thyroid dysfunctions and some cancers.
Although fatigue is not necessarily linked to a pathological state, if fatigue it does not resolve within two months despite an adequate diet and rest, constant physical activity and the use of natural remedies, it is good to consult your doctor to investigate the causes and find a solution.
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