What causes extreme fatigue in older people? (2023)

How do you stop fatigue in old age?

ABSTRACT: Fatigue is a common symptom in elderly persons, but it is often ignored as many patients and healthcare providers assume it is a natural progression of aging or may mistake it for somnolence, dyspnea, or muscle weakness.

You may be too exhausted even to manage your daily affairs. In most cases, there's a reason for the fatigue. It might be allergic rhinitis, anemia, depression, fibromyalgia, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease (COPD), a bacterial or viral infection, or some other health condition.

There are three types of fatigue: transient, cumulative, and circadian: Transient fatigue is acute fatigue brought on by extreme sleep restriction or extended hours awake within 1 or 2 days.

Drinking enough fluids is important to help fight fatigue and get a good night's sleep. Liquids that are energy boosters for seniors are water, green tea, and the water found in fruits and veggies.

Call for an appointment with your doctor if your fatigue has persisted for two or more weeks despite making an effort to rest, reduce stress, choose a healthy diet and drink plenty of fluids.

Even a week of feeling more tired than usual is not uncommon. Yet most people can tell when their fatigue feels like something more serious. If that's the case, or your fatigue gets worse or lasts longer than a week or two, it's time to see your doctor.

Fatigue is a common symptom in several medical conditions, such as anemia, diabetes and underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). Lab tests can check your blood for evidence of some of the top suspects. Mental health issues. Fatigue is also a symptom of a variety of mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety.

Anergia may stem from many conditions, including heart and kidney dysfunction, arthritis, lung disease, anemia, and depression, or it may have additional yet presently unexplained origins. “I believe anergia is the universal language by which the elderly talk about their health problems,” Dr. Maurer says.

What foods give energy to the elderly?

What is the difference between tired and fatigued? The difference between tired and fatigue is more substantial than you may first realise. Tiredness is the way we feel when we don't get enough sleep. Fatigue is a daily lack of energy that can't be solved through greater sleep alone.

As your heart works overtime, it can cause tiredness, shortness of breath and a feeling of being simply worn out. Such are the signs of fatigue, one of the most common symptoms of congestive heart failure.

If fatigue has become just another aspect of your (barely) waking hours, it could be a sign of a heart problem. Extreme fatigue can signal heart failure or, less commonly, coronary artery disease (CAD).

Extreme fatigue

Feeling tired all the time can be a symptom of heart failure, as well as of other conditions. Professor Newby says: “Many of my patients tell me they're tired, whether they've got heart failure or not, whether they've got angina or not!

1. Iron deficiency. Iron deficiency, also called anemia, is a condition that can make you feel extremely run-down and exhausted. That's because iron is what produces red blood cells, and without enough red blood cells your blood can't supply your organs with the amount of oxygen they need to function properly.

Vitamin B12 is one of the key vitamins to increase energy over 50. It plays a vital role in energy production by breaking down the food you eat and transforming it into cellular energy.

What vitamin gives most energy?

Vitamin B12 along with B6 are best for energy. Almost every cell in the body uses B12. Besides helping form red blood cells, B12 converts fat and protein to energy. A B12 deficiency causes tiredness and anemia.

Some research supports the following treatments for fatigue and depression: medications, including modafinil and atomoxetine. antidepressants , such as citalopram and venlafaxine. psychotherapy , such as cognitive behavioral therapy.

Excess fatigue is the most prevalent precursor of sudden cardiac death. This state may reflect prolonged tension or heart disease.

There's no test for myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), but there are clear guidelines to help doctors diagnose the condition. A GP should ask you about your medical history and give you a physical examination.