In a recent interview on Fabea FM's health segment on "Me Man Ho Dadwen", Dr. Martin Adu Afram, a Physician Assistant at Amphred Station Hospital in Nkoranza, in the Bono East Region, has shed light on the complex and often-misunderstood condition of fatigue.
According to Dr. Afram, fatigue is a state of physical, mental, or emotional exhaustion that can affect anyone, regardless of age, fitness level, or health status. He highlighted common symptoms such as muscle weakness, sleepiness, lack of motivation, and brain fog.
Fatigue is generally the feeling of lack of energy and motivation that can be physical, mental, or both. Fatigue is not the same as drowsiness, but the desire to sleep may accompany the fatigue. Apathy is a feeling of indifference that may accompany fatigue or exist independently. In addition, individuals often describe fatigue using a variety of terms including weary, tired, exhausted, malaise, listless, lack of energy, and feeling run down.
Dr. Afram emphasized that fatigue can be caused by various factors, including lack of sleep, poor nutrition, chronic stress, medical conditions, medications, and lifestyle factors like sedentary lifestyle or excessive screen time. Fatigue can also be caused by factors working in combination such as medical conditions, illnesses, unhealthy lifestyle choices, workplace problems, grief and stress.
Always see your doctor for diagnosis if you experience chronic tiredness or lack of energy. Fatigue is a common symptom experienced by many people throughout their lives.
In a statement on how to manage fatigue, the Physisian Assistant recommended a holistic approach, including prioritizing sleep, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, practicing stress-reducing techniques, and seeking medical attention if fatigue persists or worsens. If you are getting enough sleep, eating healthily and exercising regularly but struggle with motivation, concentration and going about your daily activities, you may be experiencing fatigue that needs further investigation.
Fatigue is a feeling of constant exhaustion, burnout or lack of energy. It can be physical, mental or a combination of both. Fatigue can affect anyone most adults experience it at some time in their life.
Fatigue is a symptom, not a condition.
For many people, fatigue is caused by a combination of lifestyle, social, psychological and general wellbeing issues rather than an underlying medical condition.
Although fatigue is sometimes described as tiredness, it is more severe than being tired at the end of a long day or from hard physical exercise. Everyone can feel tired at times, but this is usually resolved with a nap or a few nights of good sleep.
"Fatigue is not just a normal tiredness on part of life. If you are experiencing persistence or severe tiredness, don't hesitate to seek medical attention," Dr. Afram advised. If fatigue is having a negative effect on how you live your life, or causing you distress, it is important to speak with your general practitioner (GP).
Dr. Afram's conclusion highlighted the importance of recognizing fatigue as a legitimate health concern, rather than simply dismissing it as tiredness. Sometimes fatigue can be more serious it may indicate an underlying medical condition or it can put people at risk of a workplace.
"By acknowledging the complexities of fatigue and taking proactive steps to manage it, individuals can regain their energy, vitality, and overall well-being", Dr. Afram added.
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