How to tell the difference between periods of fatigue and pathological fatigue? Asthenia, commonly called fatigue, is a common symptom. It becomes abnormal when it persists despite sleep and rest.
According to Ameli, the health insurance website, fatigue can be “transient and reactive (after overwork, during a brief infection, etc.), or lasting, linked to a chronic illness or psychological suffering”.
What is asthenia?
Feeling tired after physical exertion or intense intellectual activity is normal, as this feeling disappears when you rest. Asthenia is abnormal fatigue when it persists even after rest (or when it only partially disappears).
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“It causes the unpleasant and painful feeling of being unable to carry out daily activities,” explains Ameli. “The person suffering from asthenia thus feels an imbalance between what they must accomplish and what they feel capable of doing.”
According to Qare, 10 to 25% of people who consult a general practitioner complain of always being tired. 6 to 7% see the doctor mainly for this reason, women being more concerned.
Three signs to spot it
According to Doctor Pierre Philip, interviewed by Doctissimo, there are several ways to identify this asthenia.
First, if this fatigue persists over time. Pathological fatigue generally lasts more than 6 months, without improvement despite rest. Unlike normal fatigue which disappears after a few days or weeks, pathological fatigue is chronic and persistent. “Fatigue is an increasing difficulty in performing a physical or mental task,” describes the expert.
The second symptom is that it does not improve with rest: if you get a good night’s sleep or take periods of time off, and you do not see any improvement, this may be a sign of pathological fatigue. In addition, it is often accompanied by excessive sleepiness during the day.
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The third symptom is linked to the presence of other symptoms and an impact on the person’s daily life. Fatigue is very disabling, and disrupts daily activities and professional or school life.
The origins of this asthenia can be multiple and result from several very different factors, such as cancer or depression for example. It is therefore advisable to consult your doctor if in doubt.
“It will be able to detect the physical and/or psychological causes that make you so tired” explains Qare. He will be able to find out if you have any deficiencies, for example, or assess whether your weariness is due to stress or anxiety. If necessary, he or she may refer you to a psychiatrist or therapist to treat the cause of the problem.
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