I'm always tired. Should I exercise? Is this a sign of illness?

Anyone can experience fatigue. It's a common symptom in everyday life. Because it often resolves on its own with rest, it's often overlooked. Regardless of the cause, fatigue that persists or recurs for more than six months is sometimes called "chronic fatigue." Should you always rest when you feel fatigued? Does it indicate a health problem?

 

chronic fatigue vs chronic fatigue syndrome

 

Medically, there's a term called "chronic fatigue syndrome." According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, it refers to one of several factors that can cause chronic fatigue symptoms. In other words, while chronic fatigue refers to the symptoms of fatigue itself, chronic fatigue syndrome can only be diagnosed based on a doctor's strict criteria. While patients complaining of chronic fatigue are very common, those who actually meet the criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome are rare.

I'm tired but I need to exercise ?… If you just rest, your muscles will break down.

 

In the past, patients with chronic fatigue syndrome were generally advised to avoid strenuous physical activity and remain in complete rest. However, recent research has shown that progressive aerobic exercise can help improve symptoms, reversing this trend. Patients also tend to avoid exercise altogether due to extreme fatigue, opting for rest. This can actually damage muscle tone and worsen fatigue symptoms.

Recently, patients have been encouraged to exercise within their means. Of course, because physical conditions vary, a one-size-fits-all approach cannot be applied to all patients. Gradually increasing aerobic exercise, such as walking, cycling, or swimming, can be beneficial for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. This involves exercising five days a week for at least 12 weeks. Depending on physical condition, exercise sessions can begin for five to 15 minutes, gradually increasing to a maximum of 30 minutes. If fatigue is severe, less intense exercise may be necessary.

 

severe fatigue … If you really need to see a doctor ?

 

1) If fatigue symptoms suddenly appear and are severe enough to affect daily life from the beginning

2) If fatigue is not severe at first but becomes more severe over time

3) If fatigue persists for more than a month, even if it is not severe

4) If you experience low-grade fever, muscle pain, joint pain, headache, memory or concentration problems along with fatigue, feel completely exhausted after waking up in the morning, feel exhausted the next day even after doing your usual activities, or experience weight loss, it is recommended that you consult a doctor.

 

anemia , diabetes , Thyroid disease , kidney disease , It could be a sign of cancer

 

Common medical conditions that cause fatigue include severe anemia, diabetes, thyroid disease, and andropause. Kidney diseases include chronic renal failure and chronic nephritis. Infectious diseases include tuberculosis and acute and chronic viral hepatitis. High blood pressure and various heart conditions can also cause fatigue. Depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders like sleep apnea can also contribute to fatigue. Because these conditions can also be a sign of cancer, it's crucial to get screened to identify the underlying cause.

 

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I am always tired and feel so tired that it interferes with my daily life.

If it's severe, it could be a sign of health problems.

 

I think if fatigue becomes excessive, it becomes chronic.

It's better to let go of it from time to time.