Remedies for Asthenia

The term asthenia indicates a generalized psycho-physical weakness, which is an extremely widespread symptom.

People suffering from asthenia turn to the doctor complaining: exhaustion, tiredness and reduced mental, physical and resistance to effort, with premature fatigue.
The causes of asthenia are of various kinds, most often involving the central nervous system and / or motor.
Among the most frequent causes we recognize:

Disturbed sleep.
Pregnancy or menopause.
Overtraining.
Drug addiction or alcoholism.
Infections and infestations.
Alterations of metabolism.
Endocrinopathies.
Malnutrition.
Alteration of composition and blood flow.
Neuromuscular or osteoarticular pathologies.
Intoxications.
Tumors.
Emotional or psychiatric distress.

The material published is intended to allow quick access to advice, suggestions and general remedies that doctors and textbooks usually dispense for the treatment of asthenia; these indications must in no way replace the opinion of the treating physician or other healthcare specialists in the field who are treating the patient.

What to do

To combat asthenia it is first of all necessary:

Contact the doctor who, with a general visit, will carry out the following tests:

Measure blood pressure: when it is low it can cause asthenia. In this case it will be necessary to investigate the cause:

Idiopathic: on the basis of an individual predisposition.
For dehydration.
For excessive exposure to heat.
Due to saline deficiency.

Glycemic test: the lack of glucose in the blood almost always causes asthenia. The level can now be measured instantly with an electronic device without drilling any holes.
Estimation of sleep and general stress: an inappropriate lifestyle, especially in association with sleep disturbances, “drains” the brain and causes asthenia.

Search for Sleep Disorders: the presence of a partner or parent is required to observe the subject's nocturnal behavior.

Blood and urine analysis: they measure many parameters and can highlight:

Hypoglycemia.
Anemia: hemoglobin deficiency frequently associated with a reduction in red blood cells.
Metabolic acidosis: it can be the cause of unbalanced diets or decompensated metabolic diseases.
Factors of inflammation: for example the C reactive protein.
Tumor markers.
Hormonal alterations.

Evaluation of a possible pregnancy or climacteric syndrome (menopause).
Investigation of alcohol abuse, other psychotropic substances or poisoning by contaminants: the after-effects of a "massive intake and" abstinence from certain substances can cause asthenia. The same happens with exposure to poisonous environmental contaminants, such as significant doses of monoxide carbon.
Evaluation of the training program: when the athlete undergoes very demanding adaptation protocols, it becomes necessary to understand whether:

Recovery between sessions is sufficient.
The diet is suitable.

Observation of symptoms and clinical signs attributable to an infectious disease or "infestation.
Nutritional survey on eating habits to investigate any shortcomings of:

Power.
Mineral salts.
Vitamins.

Evaluation of motor function: asthenia can hide even serious joint or muscle discomfort.
Identification of any mood disorders or psychiatric symptoms: for example, asthenia is very common in depression.

What NOT to do

Ignore the symptom: Neglecting asthenia could aggravate the triggering cause.
Underestimate dehydration and salt deficiency.
Constantly expose yourself to excessive temperatures.
Sleeping little, poorly, neglecting the rest of work shifts, eating before bedtime, etc.
Avoiding diagnostic investigations, especially blood tests.
Do not perform the pregnancy test, especially if there are other significant clues.
Do not consider entering menopause.
Excess with alcohol.
Using drugs.
Working or frequenting polluted environments, of dubious safety, exposing oneself to poisonous contaminants such as exhaust gases, chemical solvents, etc.
Insufficient recovery from workouts and ignoring the early symptoms of overtraining.
Practicing extreme, unbalanced or inadequate diets.
Underestimate chronic muscular or rheumatic discomfort; they can be linked to chronic or degenerative inflammatory diseases.
Hiding or ashamed of relevant psychiatric symptoms; if they are not treated, they can significantly worsen and aggravate asthenia up to the onset of more serious conditions.

What to eat

Dietary intervention can contribute or totally resolve most cases of asthenia.
In fact, in addition to compensating for "nutritional" asthenia, the diet:

Promotes remission from certain diseases (infections, hyperglycemia, etc.).
Maximize recovery between sports workouts.
Optimize sleep.
Decreases hypotension.
Reduces systemic inflammation etc.

In the first place, it is necessary to guarantee the dietary intake of:

Water: if the intake is not adequate and / or the losses are excessive, this is drastically reduced, affecting the blood volume and causing the pressure to drop. It is necessary to drink plenty of water and eat well hydrated foods.
Mineral salts: they also intervene on the balance of body fluids. Furthermore, their deficiency is directly implicated in the onset of asthenia. Potassium and magnesium, contained above all in vegetables and fruits, are more frequently subject to deficiency.
Carbohydrates: many contemporary slimming diets provide for the drastic reduction or even the elimination of carbohydrates. However, these are necessary for maintaining blood sugar, especially in conditions of intense physical work. They are contained in: cereals and derivatives, legumes, potatoes, fresh fruit , vegetables.
Omega 3 fatty acids: they have the function of regulating many metabolic aspects. In addition, they drastically reduce the inflammatory index of the blood. They also seem to show a protective aspect towards the nervous tissue. They support the immune system against infections. They are found in: oily oily fish, algae, krill, some oil seeds (flax, almonds etc.) and related oils.
Antioxidants: they are of the vitamin type (vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E), mineral (zinc and selenium) and polyphenolic (simple phenols, flavonoids, tannins). They reduce oxidative stress, optimize metabolism and increase the efficiency of the immune defenses; they are a real natural defense.

Vitamin A is mainly contained in red and orange fruits (peppers, apricots, melon, etc.), crustaceans, milk, cheeses, yolk and liver.
Vitamin C is mainly contained in sour fruit (kiwi, citrus fruit, etc.) and in some vegetables (parsley, lettuce, etc.).
Vitamin E is mainly contained in fatty fruits (for example avocado), in the germ of seeds (wheat germ, corn germ, etc.) and in oil seeds in general.
Zinc and selenium are mainly contained in meat and oil seeds.
Polyphenols: they are typical of all foods of plant origin, in particular wholemeal and fresh (vegetables, fruits, wholemeal seeds, etc.).

Iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid: deficiency can trigger anemia. Iron (especially heme) and vitamin B12 are contained in meat, fish products, offal and egg yolk. Folic acid is typical of raw fresh vegetables and fruits (apples, lettuce, oranges, etc. ).
High biological value proteins: in the case of very intense sport, it is necessary that all essential amino acids are present in sufficient quantities to promote muscle recovery. The most recommended foods are: meat, fish products, milk and derivatives, eggs.
It is essential that the distribution of meals is such as to allow a rest without interference. Dinner must not be too close to sleep at night and the products that constitute it should be sufficiently digestible.
Vitamins of group B: they concern most of the food groups. They can be deficient when the diet is overall inadequate.
Methylxanthines: they are mild nerve stimulants. They are found in coffee, cocoa, tea, ginseng etc. They have a tonic effect and can decrease the feeling of asthenia.

What NOT to Eat

There are no foods that create asthenia. On the other hand, it must be remembered that:

Hyperglycemia causes weakness. An excess of glucose in the blood is associated with reduced body efficiency. It occurs mainly in people with diabetes and must be treated with a diet having the right quantity - quality of carbohydrates.
It is not recommended to replace fresh, unprocessed and nutritionally appreciable foods with: preserved and processed products, junk foods and fast food.
Alcohol abuse must be avoided.

Natural Cures and Remedies

Natural remedies for asthenia are limited to the intake of stimulating herbal products, the integration of deficient nutritional molecules and psychological therapy.

The integration of deficient molecules more frequently concerns:

Potassium and magnesium.
Omega 3 fatty acids.
Antioxidants.

The plants most used in herbal medicine to combat asthenia are: camedio, gentian, periwinkle, rosemary, ginger, ginseng, black currant, oak, lavender, oregano, passion flower, rhubarb, sage, dandelion, thyme, birch, oats, eleutherococcus and nettle.
Psychological therapy is aimed at reducing the symptoms of anxiety, depression, obsessive syndromes, phobias, etc. By improving the triggering cause, it reduces asthenia and promotes the recovery of normal activities.

Pharmacological treatment

Pharmacological treatments for asthenia can be divided into two categories:

Medicines against the disease that causes asthenia:

Medicines for the treatment of metabolic diseases: for example hypoglycemic agents for diabetes.
Hormonal therapies: for example the "replacement" one for climacteric syndrome.
Against infestations and infections: for example antivirals, antibiotics etc.
Containing the concentrated nutrient whose deficiency is manifested: for example folic acid, iron, cobalamin etc.
Anti-inflammatories for chronic diseases: by reducing inflammation and pain it is possible to increase the activity of the subject.

Medicines against psychiatric conditions characterized by asthenia:

Sleeping pills and sedatives to promote sleep.
Anxiolytics.
Antidepressants.
Antipsychotics.

Prevention

The prevention of asthenia is not always possible.
On the other hand, having already suffered from it, it is possible to correct one's eating habits and style. For example:

By preventing dehydration and low blood pressure: it is possible by increasing the quantity of water, of hydrated foods and by taking hydrosaline supplements.
Preventing Hypoglycemia: Some people suffer from hypoglycemia if they allow too much time to pass between meals. It is possible to prevent it by eating more often and in sufficient quantities.
Preventing anemia: it requires many dietary precautions that must be constantly respected (see diet for anemia).
Preventing repeated hangovers.
Preventing general malnutrition: following a balanced diet. If it is necessary to lose weight, it is recommended to do so with the help of a dietician.
Preventing overtraining: improving planning and adapting the project in progress.