exhaustion

Not a rare example: a successful, self-confident manager collapses under the burden of unachievable career goals. The cause is a exhaustion attested. This condition, known as exhaustion, or better, grievances, is increasingly affecting many people in their professional and private lives. The causes, diagnostic options and the opportunities for treatment and prevention should therefore be known more precisely and, above all, used more frequently.

What is exhaustion?

A state of total exhaustion is increasingly referred to as a burn-out symptom, especially in the professional field.

Exhaustion is generally referred to as a state of reduced physical or mental performance, which is accompanied by the unpleasant feeling of weakness, tiredness and listlessness and often also by other symptoms such as headache and muscle pain, increased irritability or concentration problems.

Specific indicators of exhaustion include gastrointestinal complaints, shortness of breath, dizziness and the loss of private and professional interests. The symptoms can vary in duration. They can appear general and non-specific or only under certain conditions.

Exhaustion can appear as a symptom of illness, but also in the run-up to possible illnesses as a serious alarm signal. A state of total exhaustion is increasingly referred to as a burn-out symptom, especially in the professional field. The reduction in performance due to exhaustion can be reversed through recovery, provided that the cause lies in previous stress.

causes

One reason for exhaustion can be the presence of a chronic fatigue syndrome. What is meant here is an incurable disease that is difficult to diagnose and the origin of which has not yet been adequately clarified. The clinical picture is determined by paralyzing mental and physical exhaustion with numerous accompanying symptoms.

Anemia, hypothyroidism or cardiovascular disease can also be the cause of exhaustion. Iron deficiency, an undiscovered pus focus or an immune deficiency can also be causally related to the phenomenon of exhaustion.

In addition to mood swings, depression and listlessness, depression can also cause exhaustion. For a burn-out syndrome as a state of severe emotional exhaustion and reduced performance, permanent excessive demands and inappropriate workload can be decisive.

Lack of sleep and reduced quality of sleep are also possible triggers. The sleep deficit can be caused by improper behavior such as improper nutrition or poor indoor air or by diseases such as sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome (abnormal sensations and malfunctions, especially in the legs).

In addition, profound nervous and emotional stress such as heartache, relationship disputes, financial worries or grief often create the conditions for exhaustion.

Considerable climatic changes can still be responsible as the cause of exhaustion. Taking medication or drugs or handling harmful substances can also contribute to exhaustion.

You can find your medication here

➔ Medicines against fatigue and weakness

Diseases with this symptom

• cold
• Restless legs syndrome
• Hypothyroidism
• Pericardial inflammation

• flu
• depressions
• Iron deficiency
• Vitamin deficiency

• Burnout syndrome
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CSF)
• stroke
• thrombosis

Diagnosis & course

Home remedies ↵ for weakness If no obvious, clear reason for exhaustion can be determined, a doctor should be consulted in the event of a longer duration. Based on the symptoms, the doctor may already be able to carry out targeted examinations to determine a diagnosis.

In principle, the treating doctor asks questions about the complaints and the duration of the complaint in order to investigate the cause in more detail. Any existing illnesses and the description of living conditions are important.

Here, for example, information about nutrition or possible professional or private problems are important. Blood tests and certain organic examinations can also be helpful for a more detailed determination of the triggering symptoms. Apparatus or imaging methods can be used.

At first, exhaustion often runs slowly and unnoticed. As a rule, the due attention and behavior change or the visit to the doctor take place late. Depending on the cause, a symptom of exhaustion is very different in terms of type and duration. In the event of self-induced exhaustion, the original condition can usually be restored in a short time by changing behavior.

In the case of incurable chronic diseases, the course is usually associated with lasting impairments. In most cases, medication can only bring relief, but not freedom from symptoms. The course can also be advantageously influenced by behavioral therapy measures. In the case of temporary illnesses, good chances of recovery can be expected through an early medical examination.

Complications

For many adults, exhaustion is an inevitable permanent condition. In today's everyday life there is a certain degree of exhaustion almost every day, which means that it is no longer recognized in time if something changes in this exhaustion, which is perceived as normal. Exhaustion can also be an indication of an illness - for example, it can point to anemia with other causes, improper diet, metabolic disorders, especially of the thyroid, or mental problems.

However, since exhaustion is perceived as normal, many people only notice the symptoms too late, namely when other symptoms have already appeared. Depending on the root cause, this can complicate the treatment and the chances of recovery and make a long rather than short treatment necessary. Exhaustion should therefore be taken seriously if it lasts longer, is felt to be worse or different than before, or if it affects everyday life.

Even exhaustion, which is not caused by a physical illness, can become problematic for the person concerned if he can no longer cope with his daily tasks or if he manages work and other obligations, but neglects his social relationships due to sheer exhaustion. Neglecting friends and family members works well in the short term, but in the long term exhaustion can have a significant negative impact on participation in social life and should be examined by a doctor before it occurs.

When should you go to the doctor?

Many people do not even perceive exhaustion as a possible symptom of illness. They often attribute it to overwork, exercise, distress, or other debilitating situations. In the case of illnesses such as colds, exhaustion is usually only of minor importance. Often that's okay. Exhaustion is not necessarily a reason to see a doctor immediately. However, if a state of exhaustion persists for an unusually long time or if it occurs with only slight stress, a visit to a doctor is definitely advisable. Exhaustion can hide a disease that is becoming more serious.

Anyone who visits their family doctor due to high levels of exhaustion will have many questions to answer in a detailed anamnesis and will then be thoroughly checked physically. In addition, blood tests follow, because laboratory values ​​can provide valuable information about the cause of severe or chronic fatigue. There is even a special fatigue disease: the "chronic fatigue syndrome", technically abbreviated as CFS.

In the case of pronounced exhaustion, however, a serious illness should also be considered as a possible cause. Among other things, this can be a disturbed immune system or an unbalanced hormonal balance, but also undetected infections and cancer. Mental illnesses such as depression are also mostly associated with listlessness or exhaustion. As a precaution, a visit to the doctor should therefore be considered if exhausted.

Doctors & therapists in your area

Treatment & Therapy

Treatment for exhaustion depends on the cause identified by the diagnosis. The state of exhaustion can be due to illness or present as other temporary impairment. The exhaustion can be triggered by one's own behavior or external circumstances. These findings form the basis for the type of treatment.

Depending on the symptoms, changes in behavior can lead to the elimination of exhaustion. This can lead to healthier lifestyles such as a balanced diet and sufficient exercise (sport). Nutritional advice can be helpful.

The possibilities of natural medicine can be used in a targeted manner: acupuncture, natural remedies such as St. John's wort or valerian as well as vitamins and minerals. Kneipp treatments such as alternating showers can also be beneficial. The aim is to improve metabolism and improve mood by promoting restful sleep.

The daily routine and daily routine can be reorganized. Stress factors should be avoided or reduced as far as possible. An unnecessary deadline pressure could be changed, for example, as well as an established deficit of daylight (winter depression) or social contacts. It is also important to set up rest breaks and a greater balance between stress and relaxation.

Exercising a relaxation technique such as autogenic training, yoga or Jakobson's muscle relaxation can be an effective aid in treating exhaustion.

Psychologically induced exhaustion can also make outpatient or inpatient psychotherapeutic treatment necessary.

Depending on the diagnosis of the disease, the use of medication is indicated. Disease-related measures such as immunotherapy or hormone treatment may also be necessary.

Identified pollutants / environmental pollution are to be avoided. A possibly missing protective equipment must be obtained for unavoidable work with hazardous substances.

Psychosocial aids such as additional contacts or new hobbies can help improve your wellbeing. As an alternative treatment, inpatient treatment in a specialist clinic can also be considered (pain treatment, etc.).

The excessive consumption of stimulants such as alcohol or coffee should be avoided.

Outlook & forecast

Exhaustion is usually only a temporary problem and disappears again after a few days or weeks if a certain activity that caused this exhaustion is no longer performed.

In many cases, exhaustion comes from stress at work. Real treatment by a doctor is not necessary in such cases. The person concerned can reduce the stress and thus reduce the exhaustion.

Without treatment or without restriction of the activity that leads to exhaustion, the person affected may also experience physical signs. These include, for example, headaches or explanations and a general feeling of illness. In this case, health should always come first and be more important than stress at work.

In the case of permanent exhaustion, a doctor can be consulted who can prescribe medication. These help the body to regain new energy. This can lead to a positive course of the disease. The symptom is rarely treated by a doctor and can also be managed by simple home remedies.

You can find your medication here

➔ Medicines against fatigue and weakness

prevention

The phenomenon of exhaustion mostly develops in a lengthy process. It is therefore important to perceive early physical and mental signals as a sign of exhaustion and to react in a timely manner.

This can be done by changing your own behavior, for example through a more balanced diet and additional exercise. Avoiding stress factors, sleeping well and avoiding stimulants can also help prevent exhaustion. A timely visit to a doctor or naturopathic practitioner can also contribute to this.

Exhaustion as the cause of impairments to personal well-being is becoming increasingly common. The economic damage caused by restricted work ability is considerable. Therefore, more information on this problem should be created. This would make the chances of early detection and treatment of this health disorder more promising.

You can do that yourself

Fatigue can occur in many people and does not necessarily have to be treated by a doctor. In many cases it is sufficient to minimize the stress in everyday life and to give the body something. This can severely limit the symptom of exhaustion. Exhaustion can also be treated with exercise and a change in diet. Often social factors also play an important role. Friends, your partner or family can also help you overcome exhaustion.

If the exhaustion has a psychological component, in some cases a psychologist must be consulted. The causes of exhaustion can be treated here.

The patient can try out various forms of therapy and relaxation himself. These include, for example, yoga or anti-stress therapies. This can be used to treat the symptoms of exhaustion.A healthy and restful sleep is just as important in order to have enough strength the next morning for the new working day. If the exhaustion persists and cannot be resolved by home means, it is advisable to consult a doctor. In this case, it may be a disease that leads to exhaustion.