Experts consider asthenia to be a psychopathological condition and rank it as the initial stage of development of serious neurological and mental diseases.

This disorder should be differentiated from the usual weakness or fatigue after illness. The main distinguishing criterion is the fact that after fatigue and illness, the body independently and gradually returns to normal after adequate sleep and nutrition, good rest. And asthenia without complex therapy can last for months, and in some cases for years.

Common causes of asthenia include:

– overstrain of higher nervous activity;

– Lack of intake of nutrients and essential microelements;

– pathological disorder of metabolic processes.

In most cases, all of these factors at different age periods arise in the life of each individual, but they do not always provoke the development of asthenic disorders. Disorders and injuries in the work of the nervous system, somatic diseases can push the development of asthenia. Moreover, the symptoms and signs of asthenia can be noted both in the midst of the disease, and before the disease itself or during the recovery period.

Among the diseases that lead to asthenia, experts distinguish several groups:

– gastrointestinal diseases – severe dyspeptic disorders, gastritis, ulcers, pancreatitis, enterocolitis;

– infections – food poisoning, ARVI, viral hepatitis, tuberculosis;

– diseases of the cardiovascular system – arrhythmias, heart attack, hypertension;

– neurological disorders;

– renal pathologies – chronic pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis;

– diseases of the bronchopulmonary system – chronic bronchitis, pneumonia;

– trauma, postoperative period.

This disorder often develops in individuals who cannot imagine their existence without work and for this reason do not sleep enough and deny themselves rest. This condition can develop in the initial period of the course of a disease of internal organs, for example, with coronary disease and accompany it, being one of its manifestations (for example, with tuberculosis, peptic ulcer and other chronic diseases), or reveal itself as a consequence of an acute illness that has ended (flu, pneumonia).

Signs of asthenia also reveal themselves when changing jobs, places of residence, after serious worries and troubles.

Asthenia symptoms

All manifestations of asthenia are directly dependent on the underlying disease that provoked it. For example, with hypertension, unpleasant sensations appear in the region of the heart, with atherosclerosis, memory is impaired and tearfulness is manifested.

Clarification of the characteristics of the asthenic state often helps in recognizing the underlying disease.

This disorder has characteristic symptoms that fall into three main groups:

– manifestations of asthenia;

– loss of strength due to a condition that causes the basis of the disease;

– the psychological reaction of the patient to asthenia itself.

The main symptoms of asthenia include fatigue, which does not disappear even after a long rest and does not allow the individual to concentrate on work, leads to a lack of desire in any kind of activity, absent-mindedness.

Even one’s own efforts and self-control do not help the sick person to return to the desired rhythm of life.

The development of an asthenic state often leads to an increase / decrease in heart rate, surges in blood pressure, a decrease in appetite, interruptions in the work of the heart, dizziness and headaches, a feeling of chills or fever throughout the body.

Disorders of intimate function and sleep disorders are noted. With asthenic disorder, the individual does not fall asleep for a long time, wakes up early or wakes up in the middle of the night. Sleep is often restless and does not bring the desired rest. A patient experiencing the influence of asthenic symptoms realizes that something is wrong with him and begins to react uneasily to his condition. He has sudden mood swings, outbursts of aggression and rudeness, often lost self-control.

Chronic asthenia leads to the development of neurasthenia and depression.

Signs

Asthenia is identical to fatigue, drowsiness

Often a person, faced with symptoms of asthenia, does not attach importance to them. He is worried about his irritability. Considers himself lazy and unable to do his job well.

It is worth being careful, and having found at least one sign of this insidious disease in yourself, urgently take action.

Signs of asthenia include:

constant weakness, feeling of fatigue;
dissatisfaction with others and a state of irritation;
bad state of health;
problems in intimate life;
inattention;
frequent gratuitous tears;
sleep problems, insomnia and desire to sleep during the day;
migraine;
anxiety and panic;
poor appetite;
strong unjustified excitement;
indecision in actions;
inability to concentrate.

There are also various signals that the body of a person exhausted by asthenia gives. This is a rapid heartbeat, excessive sweating, a feeling of lack of oxygen, tremors in the body, pain and discomfort in various organs and muscles.
You should especially be on your guard if the above symptoms do not go away after a long rest. In any case, you should consult a doctor so that he examines the patient and determines for sure whether he has asthenia.

Manifestations of asthenic syndrome

Asthenia symptoms increase gradually during the day. Already in the morning a sick person feels very tired. Even with a long conversation, sick people can get very tired, begin to get confused, and respond inappropriately.

Increased irritability, conflict, low stress resistance – all these are signs of asthenia. It is noticed that such symptoms are more often manifested in women.

The disease has physical symptoms:

migraine;

poor appetite;

soreness of the joints, in the region of the heart;
increased blood pressure;
feeling of heat or increased chilliness;
excessive sweating;
loss of consciousness;
heart palpitations;
bouts of nausea;
dizziness.

With asthenic syndrome, sleep is often disturbed. A sick person cannot fall asleep for a long time and not even sleep at all. Various little things will distract, for example, the creak of the bed, noise from the street.

What is this disease?

In understanding what asthenia is and how it manifests itself, it is necessary to clarify immediately: for the most part, this type of disorder is expressed in mental processes – exhaustion and fatigue. Moreover, manifestations of asthenia are more noticeable during intellectual exertion and activity; during physical work, its signs are at first glance inconspicuous.

The central link of asthenic syndrome (AS) is the state of irritable weakness. It has the form of a reaction of the body to stimuli of various kinds, manifests itself briefly in time, very violently (in terms of emotional response) and ends in an extreme and sharp state of weakening of the entire human body. It is not for nothing that asthenia also appears as a syndrome of chronic fatigue (in medicine and psychological science).

With AS, functional asthenia takes place as a person’s lack of adaptive mechanisms in the case of strong emotional experiences and important life events. Fatigue in this case becomes a permanent and lasting condition, little dependent on a decrease or increase in the intensity of mental or physical stress. This kind of pathological fatigue disrupts the normal performance of many functions in the human body – the autonomic and general functions of the nervous system in the first place.

In its pure form, asthenia does not appear often; rather, it is an integral companion of various kinds of somatic and mental disorders or pathologies.

Diagnostics

If asthenia develops as a symptom of any disease, injury or stressful condition, and the symptoms are expressed vividly, then there are no problems with the diagnosis. But the disease can occur in the midst of the underlying pathology, then the manifestations of asthenia are difficult to identify and separate.

Many patients tend to exaggerate their ailments, while others, on the contrary, do not attach the necessary importance to their well-being. To obtain an objective assessment of the psychoemotional state, the doctor evaluates a person’s reactions to external stimuli.

During the diagnosis, carry out:

biochemical blood tests;
general blood and urine tests;
coagulogram;
coprogram;
MRI of the brain;
Ultrasound of internal organs as needed.

Why is feeling tired?

Yes, there is no need to think that fatigue is only negative. After all, for something it exists? Our body is very smart, it itself can regulate all the processes taking place inside it (from wakefulness and digestion of food, to the production of hormones, muscle work, etc.). For this he needs only one thing – energy. He accumulates it, synthesizes it from everything that is possible – from food, inhaled air. When energy becomes scarce, the body understands the threat hanging over it and defends itself. Namely, it sends signals to the human brain with instructions to stop what he is doing. Stop, rest, doze off, experience the feeling of hunger and thirst, etc., all this is needed to replenish energy reserves.

Asthenic condition

Asthenic conditions are united by the concept of a syndrome, that is, a set of symptoms, complaints of the patient. Most often, they complain of weakness, even with the slightest physical effort in combination with certain symptoms. Asthenic syndrome symptoms include the following:

emotional disorders (lack of mood, anxiety, irritability, panic, melancholy, etc.);
mental (inability to concentrate, distraction, memory impairment);
dizziness, nausea, heart palpitations, increased sweating, increased or decreased body temperature;
unexplained pain in muscles, back, abdomen, headache;
sleep disturbance (difficult to fall asleep / wake up), decreased or increased appetite, weight loss, sexual desire disorder;
in women, a delay in menstruation is possible;
intolerance to loud sounds, bright light.

Chronic fatigue syndrome

It is a variant of asthenia. In the literature, there is also a synonym for chronic fatigue syndrome – neurasthenia. The study of this disease began in the eighties in America. The criteria for the disease have been developed, which are now used throughout the world:

constant weakness lasting at least six months;
absence of a causative disease;
4 or more symptoms are necessarily present:

Memory and attention problems.
Sore throat
Painful and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, armpits.
Muscle stiffness, soreness.
Joint pain.
Headache.
Sleep disturbances.
Fatigue after exertion lasts more than 24 hours.

Thus, chronic fatigue syndrome from asthenia differs in duration (more than 6 months) and in the absence of concomitant diseases.

Senile asthenia

In elderly and senile age (from 60 years of age and older) asthenia is called “fragility”, its manifestations:

slowness of movements;
decreased walking speed;
impotence;
vulnerability;
unreasonable fatigue;
weight loss;
inability to control physiological functions (urination, defecation);
falling;
impairment of memory, hearing, vision, etc.

At the same time, the pensioner loses the ability to adequately assess his condition. Third-party help in everyday life becomes a necessity.

Clinical manifestations of asthenia

Symptom complex characteristic of asthenia includes 3 components: own clinical manifestations of asthenia; violations associated with the underlying pathological condition; disorders due to the patient’s psychological reaction to the disease. The manifestations of the asthenic syndrome itself are often absent or weakly expressed in the morning hours, appear and grow during the day. In the evening, asthenia reaches its maximum manifestation, which forces patients to necessarily take rest before continuing to work or go to household chores.

Fatigue… The main complaint of asthenia is fatigue. Patients note that they get tired faster than before, and the feeling of fatigue does not disappear even after a long rest. When it comes to physical labor, there is a general weakness and unwillingness to do their usual work. In the case of intellectual work, the situation is much more complicated. Patients complain of difficulty concentrating, memory impairment, decreased alertness and intelligence. They note difficulties in formulating their own thoughts and their verbal expression. Patients with asthenia often cannot concentrate on thinking about one specific problem, find it difficult to find words to express any idea, are absent-minded and somewhat lethargic when making decisions. In order to do feasible work before, they are forced to take breaks, to solve the problem, they try to think about it not as a whole, but by breaking it into parts. However, this does not bring the desired results, increases the feeling of fatigue, increases anxiety and causes confidence in one’s own intellectual inconsistency.

Psycho-emotional disorders. A decrease in productivity in professional activity causes the emergence of negative psycho-emotional states associated with the patient’s attitude to the problem that has arisen. At the same time, patients with asthenia become hot-tempered, tense, picky and irritable, and quickly lose their composure. They have sharp mood swings, states of depression or anxiety, extremes in assessing what is happening (unreasonable pessimism or optimism). Aggravation of psycho-emotional disorders characteristic of asthenia can lead to the development of neurasthenia, depressive or hypochondriacal neurosis.

Vegetative disorders. Asthenia is almost always accompanied by disorders of the autonomic nervous system. These include tachycardia, pulse lability, fluctuations in blood pressure, chilliness or a feeling of heat in the body, generalized or local (palms, armpits or feet) hyperhidrosis, decreased appetite, constipation, pain along the intestines. With asthenia, headaches and a “heavy” head are possible. In men, a decrease in potency is often noted.

Sleep disturbances. Depending on the form of asthenia, it can be accompanied by sleep disorders of different nature. Hypersthenic asthenia is characterized by difficulty falling asleep, restless and intense dreams, nocturnal awakenings, early waking up and feeling fatigued after sleep. Some patients feel that they practically do not sleep at night, although in reality this is not the case. Hyposthenic asthenia is characterized by the occurrence of daytime sleepiness. At the same time, problems with falling asleep and poor quality of night sleep persist.

Potential consequences and complications

A protracted course of asthenia can be complicated by the development of neurasthenia, hypochondriacal or depressive neurosis, depression.

Forecast

The effectiveness of the treatment of asthenia is largely determined by the success of the treatment of the underlying disease. If it is cured, then the symptoms of asthenia will quickly subside or disappear completely. The manifestations of chronic asthenia are also reduced to minimal severity in the event of a long-term remission of the underlying chronic disease.

Prevention

Prevention of asthenia is based on the prevention of the appearance of the causes that cause it. It includes measures aimed at increasing the body’s resistance to the effects of negative environmental factors:

rational and proper nutrition
rejection of bad habits;
regular stay in the fresh air;
moderate exercise;
observance of the regime of work and rest.

In addition, it is necessary to timely identify and treat diseases that can lead to the development of asthenia.

Where does asthenia come from and who is at risk

The causes of asthenia can be associated with both past illnesses and prolonged nervous overload. The disorder provokes a lack of essential trace elements. It also occurs due to metabolic problems in the brain. Asthenic syndrome almost always appears after severe stress.

There are a number of diseases that can trigger the development of asthenia. These are diseases of the cardiovascular system (heart attack, hypertension), respiratory organs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, ulcers, pancreatitis), infections, poisoning. Asthenia often develops after operations and injuries.

At risk are patients who have undergone surgery, tuberculosis, influenza, who are suffering from chronic diseases. But healthy people are not immune from asthenia. It appears among workaholics, those who have changed jobs, place of residence, or have suffered serious stress (death of a loved one, dismissal, divorce).

3 myths about fatigue.

Residents of metropolitan areas do not just ignore fatigue, they consider it something shameful. But in vain. Fatigue is a normal body reaction. But we continue to believe in the myths about this state and thereby exhaust ourselves to the extreme.

Myth 1. Accumulated fatigue can be removed at any moment.

In theory, this could work. Once. But if the energy is constantly at a critically low level, and even on vacation we want to be proactive, multifunctional and positive, asthenia will surely overtake. And earlier than expected.

Myth 2. You need to feel sorry for yourself less.

We live in a world where work is celebrated and leisure is ignored. But it’s one thing to be a bum in the eyes of strangers, and another to kick yourself on your own. We live in cycles of day and night, activity and relaxation. Therefore, recovery is a necessity, a long-term investment in your future.

Myth 3. To ignore fatigue should be taught from childhood.

The wisdom of adults is to teach children not only sciences, but also the main things: to know your body, to be able to read its signals. When a child notices his own fatigue, absent-mindedness, he learns to switch between different activities. So he gains control skills, and not fighting his body.

The mechanism of development, or pathogenesis, asthenia

Asthenia is the reaction of the human body to conditions that threaten the depletion of its energy resources. In this disease, first of all, the activity of the reticular formation changes: the structure located in the region of the brain stem, which is responsible for motivation, perception, the level of attention, providing sleep and wakefulness, autonomic regulation, muscle work and the activity of the body as a whole.

Changes are also taking place in the work of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system, which plays a leading role in the realization of stress.

Numerous studies have shown that immunological mechanisms also play a role in the mechanism of asthenia development: in persons suffering from this pathology, certain immunological disorders were identified. However, the viruses known to date do not have a direct role in the development of this syndrome.

Classification of asthenic syndrome

Depending on the cause of asthenia, the disease is divided into functional and organic. Both of these forms occur with approximately the same frequency – 55 and 45%, respectively.

Functional asthenia is a temporary, reversible condition. It is a consequence of psycho-emotional or post-traumatic stress, acute infectious diseases or increased physical exertion. This is a peculiar reaction of the body to the above factors, therefore the second name for functional asthenia is reactive.

Organic asthenia is associated with certain chronic diseases that occur in a particular patient. Diseases that can result in asthenia are listed above in the “causes” section.

According to another classification, according to the etiological factor, asthenia is:

somatogenous;
postinfectious;
postpartum;
post-traumatic.

Depending on how long asthenic syndrome has existed, it is divided into acute and chronic. Acute asthenia occurs after a recent acute infectious disease or severe stress and, in fact, is functional. Chronic is based on some kind of chronic organic pathology and proceeds for a long time. Separately, neurasthenia is distinguished: asthenia arising from the depletion of structures responsible for higher nervous activity.

Depending on the clinical manifestations, 3 forms of asthenic syndrome are distinguished, which are also three consecutive stages:

hypersthenic (the initial stage of the disease; its symptoms are impatience, irritability, erratic emotionality, increased reaction to light, sound and tactile stimuli);
a form of irritability and weakness (there is increased excitability, however, the patient feels weak, exhausted; the person’s mood changes sharply from good to bad and vice versa, physical activity also ranges from increased to complete reluctance to do anything);
hyposthenic (this is the last, most severe form of asthenia, characterized by reduced efficiency to a minimum, weakness, fatigue, constant sleepiness, complete unwillingness to do something and the absence of any emotions; there is also no interest in the environment).

The main symptoms of asthenia

Fatigue and weakness
Heaviness in the body or limbs
Increased irritability
Loss of sex drive or pleasure
Depression
Insomnia
Feeling of tension
Headaches
Nervousness
Dizziness
Lack or decreased appetite
Decreased memory
Vegetative symptoms
Difficulty making decisions

Remember that this is only a small part of the human sensations that can be observed with this ailment of the nervous system. The most exotic manifestations often take place. People often get lost in conjecture, panic or depression, which greatly aggravates the condition and seriously complicates recovery.

Asthenic conditions in the initial stages are very well treated, so do not delay seeking medical attention from a doctor.

Insulation treatment for asthenia

A universal mechanism for the development of combined asthenic and neurotic states is a decrease in the resistance of neurons of the cerebral cortex to stimuli. And it has long been noticed that if you protect a person in an asthenic state from any, external and internal, positive and negative stimuli, then, at least, it becomes noticeably easier (asthenic phenomena decrease), or asthenia completely disappears. An irritant is not only an unpleasant and traumatic event, but communication with pleasant people, receiving good news. Even a bright light, a loud sound, a strong smell, a pronounced taste in food is an irritant that needs to be minimized in order to help get out of an asthenic state. However, with an asthenic condition, the doctor does not always recommend dismissal from work or study,

Isolation from external stimuli was previously thought to be an important treatment for asthenia and astheno-neurotic syndrome. This was considered until recently, but with the introduction of inpatient substitution techniques, it is recommended to treat asthenic conditions on an outpatient basis, without interrupting the social environment, which gives a more lasting effect. And only with deeper disorders of the nervous system, the doctor can recommend a hospital.

Psychotherapeutic treatment of asthenia

Psychotherapy of astheno-neurotic syndrome. The psychotherapeutic effect in asthenia of various origins consists in the use of “relaxing” techniques (trances, autogenous training, breathing exercises, bodily therapy, hypnosis), some types of physiotherapy and exercise therapy are very effective. If mental trauma played a role in the development of the asthenic state, then cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy is used. Psychotherapeutic sessions are conducted individually or in groups. Rational psychotherapy begins from the very first minutes of the doctor’s communication with the patient, it consists in the fact that the patient develops a correct idea of his condition, of its origin and outcome.

Psychotherapy is one of the obligatory restorative techniques for all forms of asthenic conditions.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapeutic aid has as its goal the normalization of the ratio of the processes of excitation and inhibition in the central nervous system. “Electrosleep” is one of the widespread physiotherapeutic methods in our country, the principle of its action – due to the electromagnetic field of a certain characteristic, an increase in the inhibition processes in the middle structures of the brain is achieved. From aquatic types of physiotherapy for asthenia, you can bring a cold shower in the morning.

Physiotherapy is not an obligatory method of treating asthenic neurotic syndrome. There are many contraindications and limitations for physiotherapy in these conditions. Therefore, only after consulting a doctor is it possible to include this method in the general medical complex.

Medication for asthenia

Of greatest importance in the treatment of asthenia or asthenic neurotic syndrome is drug therapy. Depletion requires additional third-party support, the introduction of missing nutrients in the nervous tissue. The list of medications possible for the treatment of asthenia is quite large and requires special attention when prescribing them.

The universal pharmacological methods include neurometabolic therapy (a combination of B vitamins, nootropic, vascular, dehydration and amino acid agents). In addition to a pronounced therapeutic effect, neurometabolic therapy is also an effective means of preventing the formation of asthenia. Neurometabolic therapy courses are used before overload, before the upcoming planned stress. For persons who are considered by doctors to be at risk for the development of asthenic conditions, courses of neurometabolic therapy are held twice a year (more often in spring and autumn). Not infrequently, at the discretion of the doctor, only some components of neurometabolic treatment are used, for example, only vitamins or nootropic drugs.

For the treatment of asthenic neurotic syndrome, drugs from the group of neuroleptics, antidepressants and normotimics can be used. They are used when the doctor sees biological changes (disorders in the neurotransmitter systems of the brain).

Medical treatment of asthenia, as well as physiotherapy, is not an obligatory method of treating asthenic disorders. Only after a face-to-face examination, the doctor makes a decision on the need to use pharmaceutical therapy for asthenic conditions. Medical therapy is a must in the treatment of asthenia, but it should be moderately prudent.

Light therapy

Light therapy is used in cases where the symptoms of asthenia and neurotic symptoms are caused by seasonal affective reactions, or when the asthenic disorder is complicated by depressive conditions. During light therapy, the patient is placed in a special room illuminated by specially selected lamps. Light therapy courses can take several tens of days.
Light therapy is not an obligatory method of treating astheno-neurotic syndrome.

Folk remedies for asthenia

Along with traditional methods of treating asthenia, folk remedies are also used. Such therapy is based on the use of herbal ingredients to restore the normal functioning of all organs and systems.

Effective and simple remedies for vegetative ailments, nervous exhaustion and neuroses:

Grind 300 g of walnuts, two heads of garlic (boiled) and 50 g of dill. Mix all the ingredients well, pour 1 liter of honey and let it brew in a cool dark place. The tool is taken 1 spoon 1-2 times a day before meals.
Grind walnuts and pine nuts to a state of flour, mix with honey (linden, buckwheat) 1: 4. Take 1 spoon 2-3 times a day.
Mix a spoonful of flax seeds with 20 g of chamomile, pour 500 ml of boiling water and let it brew for 2-3 hours. After the remedy has been infused into it, you must add a spoonful of honey and take 100 ml 3 times a day before meals.
Chop dates, almonds and pistachios in a 1: 1: 1 ratio. Use the resulting mixture 2 times a day for 20 g.
Warm baths with essential oils have revitalizing properties. Add a couple of drops of cloves, lemon oil, cinnamon, ginger, or rosemary to the water. This will help you relax and fall asleep quickly.
Grind 250 g of rose hips, 20 g of flowers of St. John’s wort and calendula. Mix all ingredients thoroughly and add 500 ml of honey. The tool should be infused for 24 hours, take one spoon 3-5 times a day.
Herbal collection of motherwort, mint, oregano and hawthorn will help to cope with irritability and tantrums. All ingredients are taken in equal proportions, 250 ml of boiling water are poured in and infused. Take 1/3 cup 3-4 times a day.
Prepare 100-150 ml of freshly squeezed carrot juice and add a spoonful of honey to it. The drink helps with a breakdown and fatigue.
Take thyme herb, Rhodiola rosea and Leuzea root in equal proportions, mix and pour 250 ml of boiling water. Insist for 1-2 hours, strain, add a spoonful of honey and 5 g of ginger powder. Take ¼ cup 3-4 times a day.

In addition to taking the above funds, spend more time in the fresh air, get enough sleep, rest and do not forget about a fully healthy diet.

Homeopathy for asthenia

Homeopathic therapy involves the use of small doses of substances that, in large doses, cause pathological symptoms. Treatment with this method is based on the elimination of the primary disease that caused the signs of a nervous disorder. Malaise is characterized by increased fatigue, decreased performance, rapid exhaustion, both physical and mental.

Traditional medicine uses psychostimulants and sedatives to eliminate the disease. Homeopathy involves the use of harmless medicines that are not addictive or have side effects. Such drugs do not regulate, but do not suppress the functions of the brain and central nervous system. The drug should be selected by the doctor, indicating the dosage and duration of therapy. The most commonly used agents are: ignacia, Nux vomica, thuja, gelsemium, acteracemosis, platinum, cocculus, and others. The preparation of ginseng Ginseng has proven itself well. It relieves fatigue, tones, betrays strength and energy. Helps with fatigue of a traumatic nature, increased weakness in elderly patients. Eliminates hand shake and muscle strain.

Homeopathy is used in combination with other methods such as acupuncture, hirudotherapy and color therapy. An integrated approach is more effective, as it helps to quickly eliminate the symptoms of the syndrome. But the main advantage of the method is the ability to lead a familiar lifestyle.

Psychostimulants for asthenia

Psychostimulants are drugs that temporarily improve physical and mental performance. The positive effect is achieved due to the mobilization of the body’s reserve capabilities, but prolonged use of pills depletes them. Unlike medications that depress the central nervous system, psychostimulants are devoid of selectivity of action, since after stimulation the nervous system is suppressed.

This group of funds quickly eliminates fatigue, weakness, helps to fight irritability and emotional lability. They can be considered a kind of doping for the nervous system, which temporarily eliminates asthenic symptoms.

Classification of psychostimulants:

Drugs affecting the central nervous system:

Stimulating the cerebral cortex – Meridol, Phenamine, Methylphenamine, Xanthine alkaloids.
Spinal cord stimulants – Strychnine.
Stimulating oblong could – Carbon dioxide, Bemegrid, Camphor, Cordiamin.

Reflexively acting on the nervous system – Lobelin, Nicotine, Veratrum.

The above classification is considered conditional, since if drugs are prescribed in large doses, they stimulate the central nervous system completely. The medicine is prescribed by the attending physician, since such drugs require a prescription for purchase.

Psychotherapy for asthenia

Psychotherapy in the treatment of asthenic conditions refers to additional methods, since the main emphasis is on drug therapy. It is a system of psychological impact on the patient’s body. It eliminates the symptoms and the traumatic circumstances that caused them, that is, minimizes the negative impact of traumatic factors. It can be used as a method of rehabilitation and psychoprophylaxis.

To draw up a treatment program, the doctor conducts psychological diagnostics and draws up a plan. Therapy can be group and individual. The success of its application lies in close contact of the patient with a psychotherapist or psychologist. But to improve your well-being, you need to adhere to the daily regimen, take vitamins and good nutrition. Regular consultations with a psychologist will allow you to understand and eliminate the true causes of the disease.

Associated symptoms

The development of a psychopathological disorder in most patients is accompanied by dysfunction of the autonomic system, which manifests itself in the form of the following symptoms:

intestinal pain;
decreased appetite;
frequent constipation;
increased sweating;
hot flashes or chills;
blood pressure surges;
active heartbeat.

Asthenia is often accompanied by:

prolonged headaches;
decreased libido in men;
sleep disturbance.

Patients with asthenic syndrome have bad dreams. Patients often wake up during the night. After waking up, patients show weakness, which increases in the evening.

With asthenia, it is possible to increase body temperature up to 38 degrees and an increase in peripheral (cervical, axillary and other) lymph nodes.

Neurocirculatory disorder

A neurocirculatory disorder that occurs against the background of dysfunction of the autonomic system is characterized by multiple symptoms. Each sign of a pathological disorder is combined into several syndromes:

Cardiac. It is diagnosed in an average of 90% of patients with this disease. The development of cardiac syndrome is accompanied by painful sensations that are localized in the chest. In this case, the appearance of a symptom is not associated with dysfunction of the heart muscle.
Sympathicotonic. This syndrome is characterized by the presence of tachycardia, surges in blood pressure, blanching of the skin, and motor excitement.
Vagotonic. It has a weak heartbeat. With vagotonic syndrome, low blood pressure is observed, which provokes headaches, dizziness, hyperhidrosis, and intestinal upset.
Mental. The syndrome manifests itself in the form of unreasonable attacks of fear and mood swings.
Asthenic. Patients with this syndrome react sharply to changing weather conditions and quickly get tired.
Respiratory. Patients have difficulty breathing (feeling short of breath).

Neurocircular asthenia is characterized by the appearance of several syndromes at the same time.

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. Aggravating symptoms indicate that this condition will not go away on its own. Groundless fatigue is constantly present, while the patient does not experience stress.

There are the following signs of asthenia:

pathological fatigue;
sleep disorders;
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 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:

chest pain;
tachycardia;
increased sweating.

Often patients notice that they are constantly freezing, or vice versa, they 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.

Clinical picture

Asthenia has characteristic symptoms, which are divided into three main groups:

own manifestations of asthenia;
disorders underlying the disease;
the patient’s psychological reaction to asthenia itself.

The main signs of asthenia are considered to be:

Fatigue. With asthenia, fatigue does not go away even after a long rest, it does not allow a person to concentrate on work, leads to distraction and to a complete lack of desire for any activity. Even one’s own control and efforts do not help a person return to the desired mode of life.
Vegetative disorders. The development of asthenia almost always leads to jumps in blood pressure, an increase in the pulse rate, interruptions in the work of the heart, to a decrease in appetite, headaches and dizziness, to a feeling of heat or, on the contrary, chills throughout the body. Disorder of sexual function is observed.
Sleep disturbance. With asthenia, a person cannot fall asleep for a long time, wakes up in the middle of the night or wakes up early. Restless sleep, does not bring the necessary rest.

A person experiencing the influence of asthenic disorders realizes that something is wrong with him and begins to react differently to his condition.

There are outbursts of rudeness, aggression, sharp mood swings are observed, and composure is often lost. The long course of asthenia leads to the development of depression and neurasthenia.

A characteristic sign of asthenia is the condition in which the patient feels good in the morning, and after lunchtime all the symptoms and signs of the disease begin to increase.

By the evening, asthenic disorder usually reaches its maximum. With asthenia, there is also an increased sensitivity to bright light sources, harsh sounds.

Asthenic disorders affect people of all ages, often signs of the disease are detected in children and adolescents. In modern boys and girls, asthenia is often associated with the intake of psychogenic and narcotic drugs.

Asthenia must be taken very seriously, it is not just a manifestation of ordinary fatigue, but a serious illness that can lead to serious consequences in the absence of therapy.

Features of the course of the disease

The disease is acute and chronic. The acute form occurs after previous illnesses, 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 because of pathological fatigue, and 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.

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 tea with lemon balm, chamomile and mint 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.

Sources used and useful links on the topic: https://psihomed.com/asteniya/ https://rptp-rd.ru/rasstrojstva/kak-lechit-asteniyu.html https://UstamiVrachey.ru/nevrologiya/asteniya https: //www.KrasotaiMedicina.ru/diseases/zabolevanija_neurology/asthenia https://www.neboleem.net/astenija.php https://zen.yandex.ru/media/id/5a95690d00b3dd72bc0df4ec/otkuda-beretsia-asteniia- kto-v-gruppe-riska-5dd902dda4655250ff59cc99 https://WikiGrowth.ru/chto-takoe/asteniya/ https://doctor-neurologist.ru/asteniya-simptomy-lechenie https://brainklinik.ru/lechenie-astenii/ https://ilive.com/health/obzor-effektivnyh-metodov-lecheniya-astenii_106595i88335.html https://bereginerv.ru/nevrozy/asteniya-prichiny-i-lechenie.html https://cosmeton.ru/psihologiya/asteniya-lechenie.html

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