What is meant by physical fatigue?

First of all we have to make a distinction between physical and mental tiredness which are often mistakenly confused with each other even if, in many respects, they are very similar.

When we talk about physical tiredness we are referring to that type of exhaustion that we perceive above all on a bodily level, when, for example, when we wake up, we think we can’t face the day.

On the other hand, when we talk about mental tiredness we are mostly referring to stress, or in any case to situations in which tiredness is determined by mostly internal factors, such as worries or recently suffered traumas.

In the long run, always feeling tired can become uncomfortable and limiting for our lives, we start to feel apathetic, we no longer feel stimulated by anything, and we always have this lack of energy that makes us feel particularly despondent.

Physical tiredness can occur both occasionally, i.e. for short periods, from time to time, and permanently, i.e. when it lasts over time.

The causes, symptoms and remedies for physical tiredness can be different, especially based on the subject, which is why today we thought we’d provide you with a real guide on the subject.

What causes physical fatigue?

Let’s start from the beginning, that is, let’s start to see together what are the main causes of physical tiredness which, as we have already mentioned in the previous paragraph, can be different.

Among the factors that most commonly contribute to physical fatigue we have above all those mentioned below:

• the presence of some pathological conditions, such as hyperthyroidism, cancer, any infections, diabetes, anemia, etc.;
• a condition of being overweight;
• a condition of underweight;
• the presence of a pregnancy;
• taking certain medications;
• excessive alterations of the regular sleep-wake cycle;
• the period of breastfeeding.

Obviously, as we will see better later, the best remedies for tiredness depend on the cause that triggered it, for example if there is a pathological condition at the base, it will probably not be enough to take a supplement to solve the problem but you need to contact your doctor.

What are the main symptoms of fatigue?

To understand whether it is physical fatigue or not, we can refer to some particular signs and symptoms, even if these are often common with other conditions.

The main symptoms that accompany physical fatigue include the following:

• muscle aches;
• diarrhea;
• the frequent need to urinate;
• difficulty expressing ourselves, even though we know exactly what we want to say;
• increased heart rate;
• stomach ulcer;
• a lowering of the immune system;
• in colitis;
• the various types of sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea or insomnia in general;
• stomach cramps;
• a malfunction of the thyroid gland;
• a constant feeling of boredom, no matter what situation we are in;
• irritability;
• hyperactivity;
• a change in the tone of voice;
• general mental confusion.

Furthermore, as we have already said previously, physical tiredness can occur both occasionally and permanently and, in the latter case, it is called chronic tiredness and it may be necessary to contact your doctor.

What can we do in case of physical tiredness?

To solve the problem of physical tiredness , we must approach it from any point of view, especially as regards the psychological aspect but also the physical one.

However, nutrition is one of the factors that play a key role in helping to counteract physical tiredness . In this sense, we should focus on eating foods that have a high protein content and are both nutritious and fresh.

To counteract the symptoms of tiredness, we recommend integrating foods rich in magnesium into your diet, such as those mentioned below:

• almonds;
• peas;
• he cocoa;
• the green vegetables;
• the peanuts.

However, this does not mean that, in the case of physical tiredness , we must only eat foods rich in magnesium, on the contrary, the ideal would be to follow the Mediterranean diet scheme which includes practically all the substances our body needs to function properly.

In case of physical tiredness, we also advise you to avoid all packaged foods and those rich in food additives , or sugars and/or sweeteners, as they could tire your body in an attempt to eliminate them with the detoxification process.

Again to facilitate the body’s natural detoxification process, it would be advisable to avoid straining the liver as this fatigue would also have negative consequences on our physical tiredness.

What are the most effective supplements?

In addition to the nutrition and food advice we told you about previously, you can take specific food supplements to counteract physical tiredness.

These are supplements made with plants that have the ability to increase our resistance, improving our cognitive abilities and metabolic functions, thus counteracting fatigue.

We are talking about all those plants that fall into the class of plant adaptogens , widely known as excellent remedies for stress. Among these plants we have above all those mentioned below:

• Acai , a fruit used since ancient times as a natural remedy to counteract physical tiredness and stress. It is an indispensable ingredient to improve our general energy levels in a completely natural way;
• Ginseng , or Panax Ginseng , brings vitality and energy to our body, thus reducing the general feeling of fatigue and tiredness. This is made possible by the ability of its roots to improve the body’s response to the stimuli we are subjected to on a daily basis, while at the same time promoting our ability to recover;
• The roots of Eleutherococcus , like those of ginseng, enhance our energy, counteract the feeling of fatigue and improve our recovery capacity in a natural way;
• Guaranà or Paullinia Cupana , is a plant endowed with innumerable beneficial properties, including the ability to restore a normal physical and mental state thanks to the high quantities of caffeine and guaranine of which it is composed;
• Schisandra , or Schizandra chinensis is a plant that has been used for some time to counteract tiredness, both physical and mental. This plant is also useful for our liver as, thanks to its antioxidant properties, it helps to lighten its load, at the same time promoting our metabolism and counteracting the natural aging process;
• Rhodiola , also known as Rhodiola Rosea, as well as promoting the quality of sleep, counteracting tiredness and fatigue, is also useful for our heart. In fact, this plant performs an inimitable cardioprotective function, especially useful in case of anxiety, tachycardia, nervousness, in the presence of palpitations or in case of overwork.

In addition to plant adaptogens, to counteract tiredness we can also use supplements based on gemoderivatives which mainly serve to recover sleep, mood and general ability to concentrate. Among these we have above all oak and birch seeds.

Can these supplements cause any side effects? Are there any contraindications or not?

All the plants we have mentioned above are therefore widely used to make supplements useful for counteracting physical tiredness and can be bought in any herbalist’s shop or pharmacy, whether they are online or in physical stores.

Even if they are supplements made up exclusively of 100% natural ingredients, there may be very specific contraindications , especially if we are expecting a child or during the breastfeeding period.

Furthermore, as happens with any other product, be it in the category of supplements or medicines, it could happen that we suffer from some type of allergy towards the substances contained in these products.

For this reason we advise you to always read the complete list of ingredients of the product you have chosen and, if you experience any unusual reaction, we encourage you to stop taking the supplement and contact your doctor.

When is it appropriate to contact the doctor?

In general, it is not essential to contact your doctor to solve the problem of physical tiredness, especially if it is a rare and occasional episode.

However, given that, as we have mentioned among the causes of physical tiredness, this problem could depend on other pathological conditions, in these cases, the doctor ‘s opinion is of fundamental importance to find the best solution without running risks.

Asking your doctor for advice would be useful especially if episodes of physical tiredness are frequent and, in this case, the specialist may deem it appropriate to undergo precise check-ups to identify the cause of the problem and prescribe the best treatment.

In any case, remember never to underestimate physical tiredness because, as you will surely have understood, it is a disorder that can affect the quality of our life.