Every adult has probably experienced fatigue. There are a lot of ways to avoid and treat fatigue, but you first need to know exactly what fatigue is before you can remedy it. Defining fatigue Experts say that fatigue is not just a physical experience - it is also psychological. It is defined as a state that usually follows a period of mental or physical activity (or both). When you experience fatigue, you have a hard time working efficiently, if at all. You also feel weary and irritable. Fatigue is a fairly common occurrence, but it can hazardous when you're your work involves paying strict attention to the road, machines, other individuals, etc. A fatigued person may lapse into 'micro sleeps' that can cause momentary failure of concentration, and in some cases, this can prove deadly. Are there different types of fatigue? Yes, there are. Experts categorize them into two - central and peripheral fatigue. Central fatigue is characterized by either a voluntary or involuntary breakdown of the neural drive and is usually caused by nerve damage and voluntary exertion that come from physical work, sickness, anxiety, pain, etc. Peripheral fatigue, on the other hand, involves the 'neuromuscular junction' (also called muscle fibers). It is believed to be connected to biochemical metabolism. Causes Fatigue is usually the consequence of physical work and/or mental stress, and other activities like sports and traveling (jet lag). Boredom can also cause fatigue, and so can lack of sleep and some illnesses. Some chemical causes include poisoning and deficiencies of certain minerals or vitamins. |
