Asthenia:
Asthenia is a medical term that describes a general feeling of weakness, fatigue, or lack of energy. It is not a specific medical condition but rather a symptom that can be caused by a variety of underlying factors. Someone feels asthenia in a specific part of his body or may he have it in full body.
Causes of Asthenia:
It is cause by a lot of things but generally, medical conditions are very common. So the cause of asthenia has some examples that includes:
- Anemia
- Thyroid disorders
- Chronic fatigue
- Use of medications
- Cancer treatment
- Heart attack, stroke, or severe bleeding
- Different types of infections
1. Anemia:
Anemia occurs when there is a deficiency of red blood cells which can result in feeling fatigued and weak.
2. Thyroid disorders:
Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are conditions where the thyroid gland is not producing enough or producing too much thyroid hormone. Both conditions can also cause fatigue and other symptoms.
3. Chronic fatigue:
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disorder that causes extreme fatigue that is not improve by rest. A person has infections including viral or bacterial infections and both of them can cause fatigue and weakness. Because the body tries to fight off the infection.
4. Use of medications:
Other than medical conditions medications can also cause asthenia as a side effect. Some medications that are known to cause fatigue or weakness include antidepressants, antihistamines, and medications for high blood pressure.
5. Cancer treatment:
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer treatment can also cause fatigue as a side effect.
6. Heart attack, stroke, or severe bleeding:
Emergency conditions such as heart attack, stroke, or severe bleeding can cause a sudden feeling of weakness or fatigue. So, in these cases, immediate medical attention is necessary to treat the underlying cause.
Symptoms of Asthenia:
The symptoms of asthenia can vary depending on the cause and the severity of the condition.
1.Weakness in one body part:
When asthenia is isolate to one part of the body person may have problems moving that area and may also experience muscle cramps and spasms.
2.Weakness in the whole body:
When asthenia affects the entire body it may be accompanied by other flu-like symptoms or fever.
3.Emergency conditions:
In the case of emergency conditions, asthenia may be accompanied by life-threatening symptoms like severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, confusion, and seizures.
Diagnosis of Asthenia:
The correct diagnosis of the cause of Asthenia is very important. Generally, the diagnosis involves :
- Thorough physical examination
- Medical history
- Blood tests
- Urine samples
These tests may also be performing to identify any underlying medical conditions including anemia, thyroid disorders infections, or vitamin deficiencies. However, additional tests like X-rays or MRIs may be ordered if the person has pain.
Treatment of Asthenia:
- The treatment of asthenia depends on the underlying cause of the condition.
- If the asthenia is cause by a physical medical condition like anemia or hypothyroidism so treating the underlying condition can help reduce the symptoms of asthenia. For example, if the cause is anemia the doctor May prescribe iron supplements and if the cause is a thyroid problem the doctor May prescribe medications to regulate thyroid hormone production.
- If the asthenia is a side effect of a specific drug the doctor May recommend stopping it or taking an alternative with fewer side effects.
- Other than that improving sleep habits, maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise can improve overall energy levels and reduce asthenia.
- Supplements may also be recommended to treat any vitamin or mineral deficiencies that can cause asthenia.