By Chioma Obinna & Gabriel Olawale
The holidays are here again. Beware! Experts say the serious exhaustion that comes with holidays  may not be good for your health.  At some point, nearly everyone suffers from fatigue.

Fatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy that does not go away when you rest. People may feel fatigued – in body or mind (physical fatigue or psychological fatigue).

• Fatigue is sometimes a side effect of psychoactive substances such as alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine.

In most cases, its acute fatigue and it occurs suddenly but lasts less than three months and is usually caused by lifestyle or environmental factors such as physical exertion, stress, lack of sleep, dehydration, or inadequate diet. In most cases, it’s easily treated by addressing the cause such as reducing stress; getting more rest, sleep, or better nutrition; or hydrating properly.

Fatigue is different from weakness, which refers to a loss of strength or power, and drowsiness, because you can feel tired without feeling drowsy or sleepy. Although people sometimes use these terms interchangeably, from a medical perspective the symptoms are distinctly different.

Fatigue is one of the most common complaints in medicine, accounting for an estimated 10 million doctor office visits each year.  Because fatigue is a common feature of everyday life but also a common symptom of so many different medical conditions, it can be difficult for doctors to properly assess and treat.

In many cases, the most important medical response to persistent fatigue is to get tested for potential underlying physical or psychological medical conditions.

Chronic fatigue is one aspect of the specific medical condition,  known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, CFS, but it involves more than just fatigue. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a term used to describe a group of symptoms, with fatigue being the most prominent.

Other key symptoms include muscle and joint pain, sleep disturbances, headaches, sore throat, and tender lymph nodes. According to the CDC, these symptoms can be as disabling as multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, end-stage renal disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and similar chronic conditions.

You can have chronic fatigue without having Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. CFS is extreme, long-term fatigue that is associated with other multiple symptoms.

Fatigue is sometimes a side effect of psychoactive substances such as alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine. Other substances that can cause fatigue include many over-the-counter and prescription medications, including many antihistamines, blood pressure medications, steroids, tranquilizers, and painkillers as well as marijuana and many other illegal drugs. Caffeine is known for its stimulating effects, but long-term heavy use can result in fatigue, especially during periods of withdrawal.

Fatigue is associated with a wide variety of mental, emotional, or psychological issues. It is both a symptom of depression and a risk factor for it. It’s also associated with grief, stress, anxiety, and substance abuse.  However, exercise can often help relieve the effects of fatigue, especially more short-lived, acute forms of fatigue. Other things that may help: better hydration, better diet, relaxation, and, of course, more rest and better sleep.

Getting adequate rest can fight short-term fatigue and alleviate symptoms of more chronic fatigue.

In most cases, chronic fatigue is not substantially improved by rest. Chronic fatigue often makes it more difficult to get adequate rest. Similarly, fatigue can interfere with sleep, resulting in unrefreshing sleep, difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakening, or sleep apnea.

Experts recommend a daily 30-minute walk or other moderate aerobic exercise has shown more consistently positive benefit for fatigue symptoms than any other treatment studied. However, exercise can temporarily worsen symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, so CFS patients should see their doctor before beginning an exercise programme.