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Grogginess, tiredness, and fatigue can be much more serious and pervasive problems than we like to imagine. Feeling tired is such a universal experience that when we feel like our own exhaustion is too much to bear, we can be confused and wonder what's wrong with us. In fact, sensations of extreme, insurmountable fatigue, known as dysania, are a common symptom of many underlying conditions that might be untreated. Recognizing the signs of dysania, uncovering their root causes, and treating those causes can be instrumental in leading a long and healthy life.
Read on to learn all you need to know about dysania and the conditions it commonly accompanies.
Dysania is a serious symptom of various conditions that involves extreme, persistent tiredness that can have a very real effect on your normal life.
Everyone feels tired sometimes, for all sorts of reasons. Dysania differs from normal tiredness because it's persistent, usually uninterested in how much sleep you might have gotten, and is far harder to get past than just waking up feeling groggy. Dysania can take many forms.
Sleep inertia is experienced by everyone to varying degrees, usually only lasting around 15 minutes. For some, especially those who are regularly awoken abruptly during their sleep cycle, the sense of confusion and deteriorated motor skills that go along with sleep inertia can last for several hours.
Fatigue, unlike sleep inertia, is a sense of intense tiredness that can last days, weeks, or even months. Motor skills, creative thinking, and emotional stability can all suffer as a result of fatigue.
Dysania itself is not a diagnosis, but is a common symptom that can be caused by numerous other ailments and illnesses, and can also be an alarm bell for certain underlying conditions.
Myalgic encephalomyelitis, more commonly known as chronic fatigue syndrome or ME/CFS, is a sleep disorder that can cause those afflicted to be constantly exhausted, to the point of being unable to function properly in daily life, and may even confine one to their bed. Dysania goes hand in hand with ME/CFS.
Individuals struggling with depression are frequently afflicted with a feeling of constant tiredness, lack of energy, and cognitive issues. Dysania can be one of the first noticeable signs of clinical depression.
Grief, while usually not a chronic condition, can have serious, adverse effects on the body. Everyone, of course, experiences grief differently, but dysania and dysania-like symptoms are common for someone dealing with grief.
Insomnia is commonly associated with the inability to sleep, but this naturally fills the insomniac's days and nights with constant feelings of exhaustion and dysania.
Sleep apnea is a condition that causes one's throat muscles to relax during sleep to the point of causing breathing problems. While sleep apnea is easily treatable, unnoticed sleep apnea can cause serious interruptions in one's sleep cycle, leading those afflicted to wake up feeling exhausted and with strong sensations of dysania.
Any issues concerning the thyroid gland, which controls an individual's metabolism, can be accompanied by strong feelings of dysania.
Heart disease that causes disruptions in your circulation and heart function can easily throw your sense of energy out of whack, causing strong and chronic feelings of fatigue and dysania.
Cancer of any kind, and the taxing chemotherapy that is so commonly used to fight it, are known to leave patients feeling weak and exhausted with strong symptoms of dysania.
Fibromyalgia is a mysterious neurological pain disorder that has no exact recognized cause, but can be very destructive to one's daily life. Dysania is one of the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia, leaving those afflicted feeling constantly tired, foggy, and forgetful.
Red blood cells are essential in spreading energy-enriching oxygen throughout the body. Feelings of dysania and exhaustion are some of the most common symptoms of red blood cell deficiencies like anemia.
Irregularities in one's blood sugar levels, high or low, can cause frequent disruptions of the sleep cycle, leading to persistent feelings of dysania in the mornings and throughout the day.
Restless leg syndrome, also known as RLS or Willis-Ekbom Disease, is pretty self-explanatory. RLS causes unpleasant and uncontrollable restlessness in the legs, especially in the evening and during the night. Since RLS commonly leads to the afflicted having trouble falling asleep, dysania is very common in those living with RLS.
When dysania is experienced, it can often be met by confusion. It's common to wonder why exactly you feel so exhausted and foggy, even when you think you're getting an appropriate amount of sleep. If fatigue starts getting in the way of your day-to-day life, it's best to consult a physician.
When speaking with a doctor, it's important to discuss all of your symptoms with them, regardless of their apparent relevance. Dysania is usually only one piece of a much larger puzzle, so any other symptoms such as pain, irritability, trouble focusing, or anything else can also be vital information.
There are usually specialized treatments available for the underlying causes of dysania, but sometimes it can take a long time to uncover the root of the problem. Thankfully, there are many things you can do to start alleviating your exhaustion immediately.
Closely adhering to a daily schedule is known to help alleviate mild sleep problems and promotes deeper, more consistent sleep, which can help getting out of bed seem like a more accomplishable task.
Substances like nicotine, alcohol, and caffeine are all proven to disrupt normal sleep patterns. It is an excellent idea to kick any of these habits if you're looking for relief from persistent dysania.
As hard as it might be, it is also a good idea to cut out naps from your daily routine. Although it may seem like the best cure for tiredness, midday naps will only cause further harm to your natural sleep cycle.
Exercise is scientifically proven to help regulate our circadian rhythms and promote healthy sleep patterns. Exercise is also proven to help many of the root causes of dysania, such as depression and restless leg syndrome.
Doctors recommend that you relieve yourself of all screens, be it televisions or smartphones, at least 30 minutes before going to bed. This will give your eyes and brain ample time to relax and shift into rest mode, and make it easier to drift into sleep when the time comes.
Exercise and vitamin D are two cornerstones of leading a healthy, restful life. Exposure to sunlight helps regulate sleep schedules.
Eating right can yield positive changes in just about every area of your life, and your energy levels are no exception. Eating healthy and avoiding processed foods make things easier on your digestive system, which in turn allows you to get more out of your resting hours and can help curb feelings of fatigue and dysania.
The environment in which we sleep is extremely important when it comes to making those restful hours count. Make sure your bedroom is as noise-proofed as can be, with as little artificial light as possible.
Some of the most impactful moments of our days are just before going to bed and right after waking up. It's important to keep morning and evening routines that minimize anxiety or excitement to give yourself the best chance of avoiding dysania.
Sources: (WebMD) (Healthline) (Mayo Clinic)
See also: Sleep habits from around the world
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What is dysania, and what can be done about it?
HEALTH Sleep
Grogginess, tiredness, and fatigue can be much more serious and pervasive problems than we like to imagine. Feeling tired is such a universal experience that when we feel like our own exhaustion is too much to bear, we can be confused and wonder what's wrong with us. In fact, sensations of extreme, insurmountable fatigue, known as dysania, are a common symptom of many underlying conditions that might be untreated. Recognizing the signs of dysania, uncovering their root causes, and treating those causes can be instrumental in leading a long and healthy life.
Read on to learn all you need to know about dysania and the conditions it commonly accompanies.