What is daily fatigue?
Daily fatigue is a feeling of tiredness and exhaustion caused by stress, which can lead to a loss of energy. Fatigue is not the same thing as feeling sleepy €“ although a desire to take a nap can be a symptom. While they often vary between sufferers, symptoms of daily fatigue generally include:
- Lack of energy
- Feeling drained
- Feeling tired, even after a good night's sleep
- Lack of concentration
- Mid-afternoon energy dips
- Decreased performance at work
- Inability to continue with normal routine.
The above symptoms can affect many different areas of a sufferer's life, including reduced concentration at work, less energy to devote to friends and family, and a lack of motivation to exercise. So what causes daily fatigue? Again, actual causes may vary from one person to another, but common triggers include:
- Lifestyle problems €“ e.g. poor sleeping habits, over-work, poor diet, lack of exercise
- Psychological problems €“ e.g. depression, anxiety, trauma, grief
- Medical conditions €“ fatigue may be a symptom of an underlying medical condition.
Common conditions that can cause daily fatigue include anaemia, respiratory and circulatory problems, sleep apnoea, diabetes, obesity, glandular fever, and problems with the thyroid gland. Pregnant women also commonly suffer from fatigue, particularly during their first and third trimesters. In the majority of cases, fatigue can be resolved once the cause has been addressed.
Reflective exercise
Elaine, 45, asks for a product to help her sleep. She works as a delivery driver for a small company that has recently cut back on staff. Elaine is working overtime while also caring for her elderly mother, who lives two doors away. Elaine has recently split from her partner of 10 years.
What would you recommend?
Elaine appears to be experiencing several stressful situations. It would be best to refer Elaine to the pharmacist in case she is suffering from a more serious concern, such as anxiety or depression. The consultation should determine whether a GP referral is required before any sales are made.
To further help Elaine, encourage her to consider whether she could positively change her life in any way. Could she look for a new job? Are there any family members or neighbours who could help care for her mother? Could her mother have paid help or assistance from the local authority?
If there is a large ageing population in your community, consider displaying information on carers in the local area. Also, ask Elaine about her lifestyle habits €“ is she eating healthily? Suggest that she snacks on fruit or a handful of nuts while at work to avoid the temptation for fried, sugary food at service stations. An OTC herbal therapy product may also help to relieve temporary insomnia (e.g. Kalms, Nytol or Potter's Nodoff).
What if:
Elaine's 25-year-old son, John, is due to take his test to become a coach driver. Elaine tells you that John is a great driver but he is so anxious at the thought of failing the test that he is becoming unduly stressed.
Bach Rescue Remedy could be a good option for John. It is a well-liked product that many find useful during periods of stress and anxiety such as driving tests, exams or flying. It does not contain a sedative, which is essential for those planning on driving or operating machinery.
What if:
Rachel, 20, comes to the pharmacy asking for a remedy for joint pain. During the conversation, she also mentions that she feels tired all the time, despite sleeping normally. Rachel hasn't felt like this before and is concerned about what is wrong with her, as well as how it may impact on her final university exams.
Check if Rachel has any other symptoms such as headache, flu-like symptoms or a sore throat before referring her to the pharmacist. Rachel may be suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), which usually develops in people around her age and is more common in women than men. Rachel is likely to be experiencing stress as she is due to take exams. However, the above symptoms should still be checked by the pharmacist.