Asthenia is a psychopathological syndrome characterized by symptoms of exhaustion of the body's strength. The disease occurs quite often, especially against the background of stress and illness.
Disease is a response of the human body to conditions that can lead to its exhaustion. Asthenia causes changes in the activity of the part of the brain that is responsible for a person's motivation, the ability to concentrate and normalize sleep.
Many do not know, asthenia - what it is and how to get rid of it, and confuse the disease with depression or fatigue.
As a rule, asthenia accompanies diseases that provoked immunological changes in the body. However, the syndrome does not develop due to the action of a virus or infection, but is a consequence of diseases of the internal organs and pathological conditions.
Asthenia is of two types - reactive (functional) and organic. Functional asthenia develops as a response to any disease that has caused a deterioration in the body's immune defenses. Functional asthenia also develops due to the transferred psycho-emotional stress and shock, or due to excessive physical exertion.
The organic form of the disease is a consequence of chronic diseases and pathologies that affect the body.
The causes of asthenic syndrome
Asthenia is a psychopathological illness. As a rule, it develops after suffering diseases characterized by depletion of the body. Asthenia can be caused by the following:
- infectious diseases;
- disruption of the digestive tract;
- cardiovascular pathology;
- disruption of the endocrine system;
- anemia;
- oncological diseases;
- diseases of the peripheral nervous system;
- mental disorders;
- severe stress;
- use of prohibited substances.
The disease may appear after an infectious disease (post-infectious asthenia). Such diseases, the reasons for the development of asthenic syndrome, include influenza, tuberculosis, infections of the digestive tract, etc. The body spends all funds to fight the infection, as a result, its strength is depleted, and this asthenic syndrome occurs.
Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, peptic ulcer disease, pancreatitis and gastritis, also cause pathological fatigue.
Asthenia develops against the background of cardiovascular pathologies. It can be triggered by pneumonia, asthma, and kidney failure. There are frequent cases of asthenia as a psychopathological complication in the treatment of malignant neoplasms.
Pathology can be the result of a violation of metabolic processes in the body and some diseases of the endocrine system. Patients with diabetes mellitus are susceptible to asthenia; there is also a syndrome of senile asthenia.
The syndrome can accompany other psychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia or chronic depression. Moreover, there is an opinion that asthenia can provoke the further development of mental pathologies.
The syndrome is prone to drug addicts. In this case, pathological fatigue is caused by the action of toxic substances on the patient's body and nervous system.
Asthenia often manifests itself in the postpartum period, especially with multiple pregnancies. In this case, the disease develops as a response of the body to the stress transferred during childbirth.
Symptoms of the disease
The disease is characterized by a decline in strength, but asthenia and physiological fatigue should not be confused. Asthenia should be treated, while fatigue, accumulated due to physical or psychological stress, disappears over time.
Asthenia is a pathological fatigue that develops without visible prerequisites. The fact that this condition will not go away on its own is evidenced by worsening symptoms. Groundless fatigue is constantly present, while the patient does not experience stress.
There are the following signs of asthenia:
- pathological fatigue;
- decreased performance;
- violation of concentration of attention;
- irritability;
- vegetative disorders.
Pathological fatigue gets worse over time. Patients note the inability to concentrate on work. The intellectual sphere is especially affected - patients often cannot find words, get confused when talking, and cannot concentrate on the written text.
At the same time, disorders of the psychoemotional sphere develop - patients become irritable, note their depressed state, sudden sentimentality and tearfulness. This is often accompanied by a sudden sensitivity to light and intolerance to loud sounds.
Sleep disorders are manifested by inability to fall asleep quickly and problems with waking up. Due to constant fatigue, the sleep time is increased to 10 or 12 hours, but the patient still feels not rested and overwhelmed upon awakening.
The syndrome is accompanied by autonomic disorders:
- decrease in pressure;
- chest pain;
- tachycardia;
- increased sweating.
Often patients notice that they are constantly freezing, or, on the contrary, complain of stuffiness. The syndrome can be accompanied by loss of appetite, nausea, and digestive problems. Decreased libido is often noted.
How asthenia is treated depends largely on the symptomatology.
Features of the course of the disease
The disease is acute and chronic. The acute form occurs after previous diseases, while chronic asthenia is most often the result of diseases with a chronic course.
Depending on the clinical manifestations, the syndrome is of the hypersthenic type (increased irritability and excitability of the patient), and of the hyposthenic type (the reaction to stimuli is reduced). The hypersthenic type of asthenic syndrome is considered a mild form of pathology.
Also, the disease is characterized depending on the cause of its occurrence. So, there are post-infectious syndrome (due to infectious diseases), postpartum syndrome, somatogenic and post-traumatic.
Symptoms of asthenia may vary depending on the cause. So, if the disease is caused by neurosis, people note muscle hypertonicity in asthenia.
If the pathology accompanies a violation of cerebral circulation, the motor activity of patients is significantly reduced. Patients do not want to move due to lack of strength. A person often has emotional instability - tearfulness, sentimentality. At the same time, inhibition of thinking and a low reaction to external stimuli are observed. This is typical for senile asthenia.
With asthenic syndrome caused by malignant neoplasms, there is a lack of strength for simple daily actions. So, the patient cannot go to the store due to pathological fatigue, rapid fatigability is noted. The muscles are weakened, and the unsteadiness of the gait is noted when walking. Hypochondria, insomnia and a sense of panic are added to the symptoms.
Post-traumatic asthenia may be accompanied by symptoms of encephalopathy.
Diagnosis of the disease
To make a diagnosis, you need to see a neurologist. Nevertheless, any doctor can suspect asthenic syndrome, based on the patient's complaints. Often the diagnosis is made by a therapist, but consultation with a neurologist is mandatory to identify the form of asthenia.
To determine the cause of the pathology, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive examination of the body, which includes:
- general blood analysis;
- consultation with a cardiologist;
- check of the gastrointestinal tract (gastroscopy);
- Ultrasound of the kidneys;
- X-rays of light.
A general blood test will reveal inflammatory processes in the body. Consultation with a cardiologist is essential to rule out heart disease. Gastroscopy will help to exclude gastritis or peptic ulcer disease. In some cases, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain is indicated.
Depending on the results of a comprehensive examination, a treatment method is selected. When asthenia is diagnosed, symptoms and treatment may differ from patient to patient. This is due to the peculiarity of the course of the disease in a particular patient.
Syndrome treatment
Having figured out what kind of disease it is, it is important not to delay treatment. Treatment of the syndrome begins with determining the cause of its occurrence. It is imperative to completely cure the pathology that provoked the development of asthenia.
Asthenia is treated by adjusting the patient's lifestyle and taking special medications.
First of all, the patient must reconsider his own daily routine. It is necessary to ensure yourself adequate sleep, minimize stress and provide the necessary physical activity. For the duration of treatment, it is necessary to abandon night shifts and many hours of processing. The working day should not exceed eight hours, sleep should be at least seven hours. It is necessary to walk more in the fresh air and play sports.
It is important to review the patient's menu. You need a balanced diet, an abundance of fruits, dairy products and vegetables in the menu. There should be enough animal protein in the diet.
Medication is used to relieve symptoms and include the following medications:
- antidepressants;
- antipsychotics drugs;
- nootropic drugs;
- sedative medications;
- vitamin complexes.
Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms. Medicines are prescribed depending on which symptoms predominate. When treating asthenic syndrome, it is very important not to overload the body with medications, therefore, minimum dosages are taken. The drugs are prescribed only by the attending physician. Sedatives are mild, naturally occurring sedatives such as peony tincture or valerian extract. Such drugs are indicated for the normalization of sleep, the disturbance of which causes asthenization. Be sure to prescribe vitamin complexes to improve immunity. To normalize the activity of the nervous system, the intake of B vitamins, as well as drugs with magnesium, is indicated.
Alternative therapy
Alternative methods of treatment are effective for the symptomatic treatment of asthenic syndrome. Typically, this treatment is based on the use of soothing teas and herbal teas. It is usually suggested to drink lemon balm, chamomile and mint tea before bed. It helps calm the nervous system. Also shown is a tincture of valerian, peony or motherwort. The dosage of the tincture is selected by the attending physician.
Sessions of psychotherapy will help to get rid of feelings of anxiety and emotional instability. Both individual consultations and group auto-training are practiced.
To relieve tension, normalize sleep and improve well-being, a course of relaxing massage is recommended.
In the treatment of asthenia, water procedures are effective - hydromassage, swimming in the pool, water sports. Also, many patients note the effectiveness of yoga. All this allows you to get rid of stress and irritability, and normalize sleep.
Aromatherapy is recommended for patients. The use of essential oils helps to calm the nervous system and get rid of insomnia. If work activity suffers due to illness, it is recommended to take a vacation and undergo sanatorium treatment.
The course of therapy allows you to completely get rid of the symptoms. Compliance with the daily regimen, moderate, but regular, physical activity and a balanced diet will help prevent the syndrome from reoccurring.
Forecast
The success of treatment largely depends on how the patient is in the mood. It should be remembered that asthenia will not go away, you just have to get a good night's sleep. The disease progresses and symptoms worsen over time.
Labor activity suffers from the inability to concentrate. With asthenic syndrome, you cannot work in positions that require concentration and attention. Due to pathological fatigue, the patient's life worsens, the circle of his interests narrows, and his analytical skills deteriorate. All this leaves a certain imprint on social interactions.
It is very important to see a doctor on time and not to delay treatment. Timely treatment, compliance with all the doctor's recommendations, changing your own habits and lifestyle will guarantee getting rid of asthenic syndrome.
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