Mental Fatigue-Causes And Treatment

Defination for  Mental Fatigue : A condition of low alertness or cognitive impairment usually associated with prolonged mental activities or  stress

What Causes Mental Fatigue?

Rather than being classified as a specific illness, mental fatigue is a symptom that, if experienced on a regular basis, may be very detrimental to productivity and overall well-being. There are several causes of mental fatigue, some of which can be as simple as not getting enough sleep at night. But if you constantly find yourself feeling mentally drained, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder may be the cause.

If your brain is overworked, much like if our bodies are overworked, it will become "sore" and fatigued. This can lead to an inability to focus properly on daily tasks at work or around the house, possibly resulting in mistakes or clumsiness. Some of the natural mental fatigue causes are:

• A lack of exercise - exercising regularly improves oxygen levels in the bloodstream, leading to improved cognitive processes
• Poor diet - sugary snacks and drinks may bring on an initial energy burst, but that is usually followed by a crash
• Poor sleeping patterns - adults are recommended to get 8 hours of sleep each night
• Overwork - regularly taking short breaks during work may help "recharge your batteries"

If you exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, get plenty of sleep, and take breaks throughout the day and still experience mental fatigue on a consistent basis, it may be a result of ADHD. If this is the case, some people decide to contact a physician or turn to mental alterness supplements . Recognition of mental fatigue causes and early detection and treatment could be the best way to learn how to manage the disorder.

Can Mental Alertness Supplements Really Help?

Mental alertness is the cognitive ability to concentrate and to respond quickly to stimuli. The higher your alertness, the more productive you can be at work and while you perform other daily tasks. Some people who feel their mind isn't as sharp as it should be may turn to mental alertness supplements, some of which may help in assisting the body's Reticular Activating System, which is the area of the brain that regulates arousal and sleep-wake transitions.

One of the causes of mental fatigue may be an attention disorder like ADD or ADHD. These disorders operate by disrupting the brain's natural neural connectivity. The three most important neurotransmitters in the brain are dopamine, acetylcholine, and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters relay information back and forth so a person can comprehend certain information and react. If this pattern is disrupted in any way, it can make ordinary functions like understanding, concentrating, and listening very difficult.

For those who believe they may be suffering from ADHD, mental alertness supplements may help restore their body's naturally occurring neural connections by supplying essential lipids and fatty acids. This may improve overall mental alertness and assist with the struggles of a typical day.

Of course, it is recommended to contact a physician before taking new supplements or beginning any new diet. The doctor may provide a proper diagnosis, and plan of action to manage the disorder may be formulated.

Treatment

Persons suffering from mental fatigue often feel better in an environment where it is possible to rest and keep the tempo low, although resting and sleeping does not make the problem go away. Currently there is no known effective treatment for fatigue other than regular rest and avoiding too much exhaustion (see figure below). Everyday life activities and work can be managed better by keeping the total mental load under control.

The figure shows a simplified illustration of how the degree of mental fatigue may appear over a long period of time. For healthy control persons (green line), the level of fatigue is low and can vary somewhat over time. The red line shows how the fatigue can appear when the level of activity has not been appropriately adapted. The activity level has to be decreased and the tempo reduced. The mental fatigue can increase over a period of weeks and months and rest during weekends is insufficient to recover fully. The blue line shows improvement achieved after the activity level has been reduced, and activities should be performed calmly ensuring enough time for rest. It is notable that there are great variations between individuals as well as on different days.

It is essential to stress that the individual’s activity level in the majority of cases has to be profoundly reduced following the injury/disease. For some individuals affected by long lasting mental fatigue, it can take a long time, sometimes several years, to find the right balance between rest and activity in daily life. It can also take time to find appropriate working strategies and to accept that the activity level must be much reduced compared to before becoming mentally fatigued. However, when the person realizes the need for a more calm and stress-free way of living, he/she can start finding a new way of handling everyday activities, including a job. Rehabilitation should include information about the mental fatigue and advice on how to handle symptoms, offering counseling immediately after the trauma or illness. Counseling facilitates an understanding of the illness; as well as helping persons to adapt to everyday life with reduced capacity. However, as the mental fatigue can be long term, support and rehabilitation may be needed during many years.

It is important to try to avoid stress as much as possible. For example, it is advisable to do one thing at a time, take some more time for each activity, not plan too many activities in a short period and ensure that rest is included when planning the day’s activities.

Trying to improve mental endurance by doing more things over longer periods of time does not work. When the limits of mental activity are pushed, mental fatigue increases and performance is lowered. Poor concentration and making more mistakes can be the consequence of not adapting one’s mental activities to one’s mental fatigue.

Going for walks in natural environments as well as doing calm and relaxing activities can provide mental rest. Some people find it relaxing to go to sleep, whilst others become anxious when thoughts interrupt the rest and, in some people, allowing the brain to relax reduces the symptoms.

Help for Fatigue

Fatigue will be treated according to the underlying cause. In some cases, simply adjusting your life-style to include appropriate dietary, exercise and sleep needs will be enough to combat fatigue. In other cases where medical causes are at play, treating the medical illness is the first plan of action.

Natural herbal and homeopathic remedies can be a great help when trying to combat fatigue. Certain herbs are known for their tonic effect on systemic functioning as well as their ability to increase strength and endurance, whileenergizing both mind and body.

Herbs such as Siberian Ginseng, Olea europea (extract of olive leaf) and Centella asiatica are commonly used to fight fatigue and boost energy without negative side effects - like those possible with pharmaceutical or dietary stimulants.

These herbal ingredients can be taken to naturally assist overall systemic functioning, help to balance all body systems naturally and are often taken by athletes, those recovering from illness or those that need the extra boost to help manage a busy life-style.