An excessive sense of tiredness, a widespread weakness that seems to have no reason, a decrease in muscle strength. Everyone can happen to live a moment of exhaustion, perhaps after an intense period. But what happens when that feeling of exhaustion and not wanting to do anything don’t go away, even after resting? If this description sounds familiar to you, it could be asthenia.
But what What is asthenia Exactly? His meaning It is enclosed in its name, which derives from the Greek Astheneia: a word composed of to- (without) and Sthénos (Force). Asthenia is, literally, a condition of “lack of strength”, a profound sense of weakness that goes beyond simple tiredness.
It is essential to clarify a point: asthenia is not a disease in itself, but one conditiona signal that the body sends us. Manifests itself with a pervasive sense of tiredness and weaknessboth physical and mental, whose more frustrating feature is persistence: it does not disappear, even after a night of sleep or a rest period.
Asthenia is often associated with medical conditions or the effects of some drugs, but its origin is not always purely physical. Indeed, very frequently It can be the symptom of a profound psychological discomfort. In this article we will explore its different manifestations, the possible physical and mental causes, and the strategies to deal with it, with particular attention to the link between mind and body.
The different forms of Astenia: how do you manifest itself?
Talk about asthenia It means entering a vast territory. Although the feeling of weakness may seem similar, its origins and characteristics can vary considerably. Recognize i different types of asthenia It is the first step to understand it and find the most suitable path to face it. Let’s see the main distinctions together:
- Muscle asthenia: It is the most physical form, in which weakness focuses on the muscles. A disproportionate effort can be felt in making simple gestures, such as climbing the stairs or bringing shopping bags. Sometimes it can be linked to a condition of neurological astheniawhere the problem lies in the communication between nerves and muscles.
- Psychophysical asthenia: Here the border between mind and body becomes more nuanced. The exhaustion is both physical and mental, a condition typical of periods of strong stress or burnout, where the energies seem to be dried up on all fronts.
- Psychogenic asthenia: also known as Asthenia Nervosais a physical manifestation of a psychological malaise. There is no evident organic cause, but tiredness is real and often intense; In fact, asthenia is estimated to have a psychic origin in about 50% of cases, manifesting themselves especially in patients with diagnosis of anxiety or depression (https://www.humanitas.it/sintomi/astenia/). Among the Symptoms of Astenia Nervosa We find a deep fatigue linked to conditions such as anxiety, panic attacks or depression. THE’Asthenia from depressionfor example, is one of the most common and disabling symptoms of this disorder.
- Chronic asthenia: There is talk of chronic asthenia when the feeling of exhaustion is persistent and severe, to the point of becoming invalidating and significantly interfering with daily life for a prolonged period (usually more than six months).
- Seasonal asthenia: it is that typical general malaise that some people warn during season changes, especially in spring and autumn. The body struggles to adapt to the new rhythms of light and temperature, manifesting temporary tiredness, similar to that of seasonal depression.
What are the symptoms of an asthenia? And what the causes? Let’s see better in the next paragraphs.
Asthenia: the symptoms to recognize it
THE Symptoms of Astenia They can be varied and sometimes overlapping those of other conditions, generating confusion and uncertainty. Recognize them, however, is the first step to give a name to that general malaise and that feeling of indefinite malaise that you can try. It is important to remember that only a professional can make a correct diagnosisbut being aware of the main signals can help clarify. Among the symptoms of weakness More common associated with Asthenia we find:
- Feeling of general weakness: a deep tiredness that does not only concern a muscle, but the whole body.
- Lack of energy: feeling ‘downloads’ since the morning, as if the energy reserves were exhausted.
- Reduced ability to carry out daily activities: Even the simplest tasks, such as working or taking care of the house, may seem insurmountable efforts.
- Daytime sleepiness: the tendency to flatten during the day, even if you slept at night.
- Inhabitant: a loss of interest in food, not linked to digestive problems.
- Difficulty concentration and memory: The mind appears clouded, making it difficult to focus, remember things or make decisions.
- Dizziness and headache: sensations of instability or headache that can accompany the state of weakness.
- Sleep disturbances: Paradoxically, despite fatigue, you can suffer from insomnia or have a fragmented and not very resting sleep.
Many of these signs, as can be seen, are common in Asthenia nervosa and often intertwine, especially when it comes to asthenia and depression, whose symptoms can be very similar. After seeing how he manifests himself, we try to understand what can hide behind this condition.
Why do I feel like that? The possible causes of Astenia
Behind a persistent feeling of asthenia can hide causes of different natureand that’s why you should never underestimate it. Sometimes, the reason can be linked to external factors, such as the intense heat during the summer, or specific medical conditions As anemias, thyroid disorders, diabetes, or other pathologies that require medical attention.
Other times, however, the body speaks a language that originates in the mind. THE’psychogenic asthenia It is the clearest proof of how strong the link between our emotional state and our physical energies is. In these cases, fatigue is not ‘imaginary’, but it is a real and tangible psychosomatic symptom, a signal that our inner world is overloaded and needs attention.
THE’Asthenia from depressionfor example, is one of the pillars of this disorder: it is not simple sadness, but a profound exhaustion that takes away the desire and strength to do anything. In the same way, theasthenia and anxiety They are closely connected: to live in a constant alert state, as during panic attacks, consumes a huge amount of energy. Chronic stress or elaboration of a mourning can also dry up our resources, physically and mentally emptied.
Other psychological conditions, such as eating disorders, addictions, obsessive compulsive disorder or different forms of depression (reactive or bipolar), have asthenia as a common symptom, testifying to how physical well -being is inextricably linked to the mental one.
Finally, we cannot forget the impact of ours lifestyle. Daily habits are the foundations on which our energy is held. A lifestyle unbalanced It can be one of the main causes of persistent ASTENIA:
- Unbalanced diet: excessive consumption of processed foods (junk food) and poor in nutrients can deprive the fuel body he needs.
- Inadequate physical exercise: both sedentary lifestyle and excessive physical activity without recovery (as in vigor) can run out of energy reserves.
- Incorrect posture: Maintaining an incorrect posture for a long time forces the muscles to an extra job, generating tensions and fatigue.
- Poor quality sleep: sleeping little or badly, with frequent awakenings, prevents the body and mind from regenerating itself, leading to chronic fatigue.
Asthenia: Care and remedies to find energy
Dealing with asthenia requires a personalized approach, because there is no one treatment universal, but a set of strategies and remedies to be adapted to one’s situation. The first step, as we have seen, is always one diagnosis Accurate that takes into account both physical and psychological factors. Once the origin of the malaise is understood, you can start building a path to find one’s well -being.
When asthenia has psychological roots, the support of a mental health professional can be fundamental. A path of psychotherapy can help explore the deep causes of discomfort, to develop strategies to manage stress and emotions, and to modify those behaviors that, unconsciously, feed the state of exhaustion. It is a job that allows not only to ‘fight’ the symptom, but to take care of yourself at a deeper level.
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Asthenia: Who to contact?
A general practitioner He will certainly be able to make a first assessment of the symptoms of Astenia, but he can rarely prescribe a specific therapy. Rather, will be able to direct the patient to specialist visits who can involve other professionals such as a neurologist, a psychologist or a psychiatrist.
In the anamnestic investigation they may emerge:
- The type of weakness that the patient perceives, frequency and durability (is it a strong astenia? sudden? Murked? How often does it manifest itself and in what contexts?)
- If the patient already suffers from pathologies and what type
- If the subject is experiencing a period of strong stress, anxiety or depression or his psychological balance is undermined by other problems
- What are his habits and his lifestyle.
It will certainly suggest some natural remedies for asthenia, advising for example to take care of your diet, do some exercise, dedicate some time to rest. A multidisciplinary work can help make a more precise diagnosis and find the most suitable cure.
In cases of psychogenic asthenia, it may be fundamental The intervention of a mental health professionalwhich will be able to investigate the psychological causes of this condition and work together with the patient to overcome them.
