- Situations that can cause Muscle Fatigue
- 1. Lack of minerals
- 2. Anemia
- 3. Diabetes
- 4. Heart problems
- 5. Kidney diseases
Muscle fatigue is very common after a greater than normal physical effort because the muscles are not used to it and get tired quickly, even for simple activities, such as walking or picking up objects. Thus, most people only experience muscle fatigue when they start practicing new physical activity.
Decreased strength and increased muscle fatigue is also a normal feature of the aging process, because over the years, muscles lose volume and become weaker, especially if they are not trained. If these are the causes of your fatigue, see what you can do to alleviate the problem.
Situations that can cause Muscle Fatigue
However, muscle fatigue can also indicate health problems, especially when it is not caused by these two main causes or when it affects the quality of life, preventing normal activities. See the most common:
1. Lack of minerals
When muscle fatigue appears very frequently, one of the first causes investigated is the lack of important minerals in the body, such as potassium, magnesium or calcium. These minerals are essential for muscle work, allowing you to contract and relax muscle fibers. That way, whenever they are at fault, the muscles have a harder time functioning, causing more fatigue.
- What to do: it is important to increase the consumption of foods that are rich in calcium, potassium and magnesium, but if the problem does not improve it is recommended to consult a general practitioner to have a blood test and confirm the diagnosis, starting the use of dietary supplements, if necessary.
2. Anemia
Muscles also need oxygen to function properly, so anemia is another frequent cause of muscle fatigue. This is because in anemia there is a decrease in the number of red cells that carry oxygen in the blood to the muscles.
As anemia usually develops slowly and gradually, it is possible that some symptoms, such as muscle fatigue, tiredness and shortness of breath, may arise even before the diagnosis is made.
- What to do: If you think you may have anemia you should see a general practitioner to have a blood test and confirm the problem. Treatment usually varies depending on the type of anemia, so see what your doctor may recommend doing.
3. Diabetes
Diabetes causes an increase in the blood sugar level that can affect the sensitivity of the nerves, so the muscle fibers that are attached to the affected nerves will become weaker or cease to function, greatly reducing the strength of the muscles.
- What to do: This type of problem is more common in people who have diabetes but do not follow treatment. Thus, it is recommended to do the treatment correctly or consult the endocrinologist to assess whether it is necessary to adapt the treatment.
4. Heart problems
Some heart problems, especially heart failure, can cause a decrease in the oxygenated blood that travels through the body, also decreasing the amount of oxygen that reaches the muscles. In these cases, it is common to experience excessive tiredness, even without exercising, and frequent shortness of breath. See what other symptoms can indicate heart problems.
- What to do: When you suspect heart problems it is recommended to consult a cardiologist for tests, such as an electrocardiogram, to identify whether the heart is functioning properly.
5. Kidney diseases
When the kidneys are not functioning normally it is possible that an imbalance in the amount of minerals in the body may arise. Thus, if minerals such as calcium, magnesium or potassium are in the wrong amount, the muscles may be unable to work, causing a marked decrease in strength and an increase in general tiredness.
- What to do: if there is a family history of kidney disease or if you suspect that this may be the problem, it is recommended to consult a nephrologist to identify if there is any disease in the kidneys and start the appropriate treatment.
In addition to these causes, there are others that can cause fatigue in the muscles, so if this symptom has been present for more than 1 week and if you have not started any type of physical activity, or made any extra effort, such as cleaning, for example, you should seek medical help to perform examinations and initiate appropriate treatment.
