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Most seniors and older adults know what it’s like to be tired at the end of a long day. And everyone knows what it feels like to not sleep well, to toss and turn, and then deal with the exhaustion that comes the next morning. But not everyone knows what debilitating fatigue feels like.
Debilitating fatigue goes beyond being tired or sleepy. It is a whole-body experience—an all-encompassing feeling, a tiredness that demands you stop moving and doesn’t give you much of a choice because you feel so drained that you don’t think you can take another step.
Countless studies have shown that fatigue is a huge risk factor for senior falls. That makes sense, considering that losing even a few hours of sleep can make you tired enough to increase your fall risk; now consider if you never feel rested and what effects that might have.
It’s an excellent idea to wear a senior button alarm with fall detection to help in the event of a fall emergency or any other incident for that matter, yet treating the fatigue should go hand-in-hand with improving your fall safety.
Fatigue goes hand in hand with many chronic conditions, including cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, lung disease, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, and more. Fatigue affects up to 74% of those who live with these chronic conditions, according to a report in Rehabilitation Nursing.1 That makes it one of the most common symptoms associated with chronic disease or illness.
Fatigue can be the first sign of something very serious. However, since so many seniors and elderly adults do feel fatigue as they get older (according to the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 31% of individuals over the age of 51 reported feeling fatigue at some point in the previous week), those who do feel fatigue might think it’s just a normal sign of aging.2
Spoiler alert: It’s not a normal part of aging!
Seniors who are dealing with fatigue should consider affordable senior alert systems to help keep them as safe as possible. Falling down is bad enough; falling down when you are too fatigued to get back up is even worse. A medical alert device can give you the power to reach out the moment something goes wrong, simply by pressing a button. That’s incredible peace of mind.
Fatigue Is Often Underestimated
When someone is dealing with fatigue, it can make everything in life more difficult. A study of 3,500 elderly patients published in the American Journal of Medicine found that 55% listed fatigue as one of the most bothersome symptoms they encountered.3
Fatigue turns into a vicious cycle. Those who feel too much fatigue might find it impossible to exercise at the level they used to. When this happens, they begin to lose muscle mass and feel weak, which in turn make it more difficult to exercise. The fatigue continues to worsen.
That can eventually lead to depression, impaired mobility, worsening of any disabilities, and limitations in performing the activities of daily living. It’s the top reason for restricted activity among those who are aged 70 and older. In addition to exacerbating any other symptoms you might be feeling, fatigue can even lead to premature death.
When to Talk to Your Doctor
Feeling brief fatigue is normal. Having the flu is a prime example. During those few days of the worst of the flu infection, you’ll feel so tired it’s hard to get out of bed. That sort of fatigue is expected and will resolve when your bout with the flu is over. Feeling constant fatigue is not normal. You will usually recognize true fatigue because it doesn’t get better with more sleep and doesn’t resolve after an illness.
If any of the following apply to you, it’s time to talk to your doctor:
· Fatigue lasts for more than a few days.
· There is no clear reason for the fatigue.
· The fatigue begins suddenly.
· You are over the age of 65.
· You’re having trouble doing basic things around the house.
· You’ve been losing weight without trying.
There are other symptoms that should get your attention and send you to the doctor. If you feel fatigue along with these problems, it’s time to seek immediate medical care:
· Pain in your chest, upper back, shoulder or arm.
· An unusually fast or slow heartbeat.
· Pounding or fluttering heartbeat.
· Shortness of breath
· Headache or problems with vision.
· Nausea or vomiting.
· Abdominal pain.
· Muscle weakness.
Remember, fatigue is not a normal sign of aging. Since it could be a sign of a much more serious condition, getting to the doctor quickly is very important.
How to Treat and Manage Fatigue
Treating fatigue is generally done by treating the underlying condition that is causing it. In some cases, this can be tough. For instance, someone who is dealing with cancer might be incredibly fatigued as a result of chemotherapy. The chemo is a necessity, but the doctor might be able to prescribe a variety of medications to help, such as B12 shots.
These tips can help you begin managing the fatigue.
· See your doctor for testing. Your physician will run a wide variety of tests. The first one will always be bloodwork, which allows the doctor to check for many potential problems. Beyond that, expect a test for sleep apnea (as it can cause severe fatigue), a chest x-ray and other imaging tests, a check into your medical history, and perhaps even a heart monitor to wear around the clock for a few days. Your doctor will follow where the tests lead to determine the next steps.
· Set aside time for rest. Now is not the time to be a hero. Fatigue demands that your body and mind slow down. Though your instinct might be to push through fatigue and hope it gets better, be kind to your body and take some time to relax and rest. “Give in” to it and speak to your doctor in a few days if things haven’t improved.
· Pay attention to changes. If you’ve felt fatigue that made it tough to stand up in the kitchen to make dinner but now the fatigue is even worse, to a point where getting out of bed is difficult, tell your doctor right away. Symptoms of some underlying conditions can worsen rather quickly, and your doctor needs to know when this happens to you.
· Set small goals to meet each day. Look to small, reachable goals to help boost your confidence and allow you to finish the things you absolutely must do. Getting up out of bed and doing something around the house could be a good goal for one day, while getting a shower or taking a walk could be a goal for the next day. Pace yourself! Eventually you will figure out what you can do that won’t take up too much precious energy, as well as what activities might actually improve your alertness and stamina.
· Find as much motivation as possible. On the days when fatigue is severe, find a reason to push yourself a little more. Perhaps you want to stand in the kitchen to bake an easy dessert because your grandchild is coming over. Maybe it’s something as simple as wanting to watch an episode of your favorite show but your only television is in the living room, so you have to get up to go in there. Sometimes the little things are enough to get us going.
· Do some research. Though consulting Dr. Google is not usually the best route to take, it can be advantageous to do some research into conditions your doctor has verified you have. The goal is not to look at the worst case scenario. The real goal is to look at the options for treatment that might lessen fatigue and other symptoms. Write down any concerns or ideas and bring them to your doctor during the next visit.
· Engage in easy physical movement. Fatigue can make it difficult to move, and that can mean that you sit down or lie around long enough for muscles to become stiff. Avoid this problem by stretching your body well. Stretch right where you are, even if you’re lying in bed. If you have enough energy, a walk around the house every hour or so will keep your joints moving and your muscles limber.
· Take medications as directed. When your doctor prescribes something new, take it as directed, every time. Some conditions are only kept in check with medication taken at least daily; missing a dose can lead to fatigue, weakness, and the like. Talk with your doctor about the side effects and especially make note if your fatigue actually gets worse. That might mean it’s time for a new medication that doesn’t affect you in that way.
· Talk to a counselor. A journey through fatigue can feel lonely and isolating. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help you accept the conditions you might be managing and learn better ways to handle the stress of the situation. Keeping those appointments also gives you a goal for the days when you find it tough to get out of bed.
· Be patient. Sometimes fatigue isn’t caused by just one thing. For instance, the fatigue you feel may be related to anemia; but once that anemia is treated, you don’t feel better. What gives? Perhaps the fatigue was caused not just by anemia, but also by lupus, arthritis, or some other underlying condition you didn’t know you had. That’s why patience matters so much. It’s unusual to find a one-size-fits-all solution for fatigue; it could take your doctor time to work through the different problems that might be leading to the fatigue.
No matter where the fatigue is coming from, a medical alert necklace or pendant will hold you in good stead as you figure it out. Medical alert technology can take some worries off your overburdened plate. You won’t have to worry about lying on the floor after a fall, hoping someone will come to your aid. You don’t have to fret about what to do if you suffer a medical emergency and are alone. Simply press the button and a trained professional is on the line, ready to send the assistance you need while you work through your fatigue or other medical issues.
