What Are The First Symptoms Of Spring Asthenia?

Spring asthenia is not considered a disease or a psychiatric disorder, but rather a subjective feeling of tiredness, listlessness and lack of energy that coincides with the arrival of the spring season.

Spring asthenia, a feeling of fatigue

In other words, asthenia is a term that refers to the feeling of fatigue, weakness and lack of energy that is experienced in some disorders. It is therefore a symptom, present in several conditions, which affects mainly people between 20 and 50 years old and to a greater extent women.

Some people experience what is known as spring asthenia with the arrival of spring. In these cases, the sensation of generalized fatigue and lack of vitality is associated with the arrival of that season.

However, there is some controversy about the existence or not of this disorder. On the one hand, there are no scientific studies that demonstrate the direct relationship of asthenia with spring. On the other hand, factors such as the change in time or temperature, could have certain effects on the body that cause temporary disorders.

Associated symptoms

Do not forget that asthenia is a general symptom that can appear at different times and for various reasons such as anemia, the use of certain medications or due to psychological factors.

Among the most mentioned symptoms are:

• Anxiety.
• Drowsiness.
• Irritability.
• Loss of appetite
• Lack of motivation.
• General fatigue
• Sleep disturbances
• Difficult to focus.

Discover: What are the phases of sleep?

Possible causes of spring asthenia

Spring asthenia is considered to occur as a result of a combination of two factors: hours of sunlight and hormonal cycles.

The change in daylight hours, the increase in temperature, are variations that could ultimately lead to hormonal changes in the body, as the hypothalamus is affected.

In addition, this gland is responsible for the synthesis of certain hormones such as phenylethylamines, which cause a feeling of euphoria; endorphins, related to optimism and the sensation of pleasure, and serotonins, the so-called “happiness hormones”.

In this way, the changes in hypothalamic control end up generating a mismatch in the aforementioned hormones, which ends up generating the feelings of fatigue, apathy and demotivation characteristic of spring asthenia.

On the other hand, it is not known exactly why spring asthenia affects more people than others. The truth is that there is an endogenous component that makes certain people have a greater predisposition to suffer this type of disorder, being more affected by seasonal changes.

 Is it possible to prevent it?

Although there is no specific treatment to combat spring asthenia, some of the tips or guidelines that can help prevent symptoms are:

• Anticipate the time change. Follow a routine and an orderly life that adapts to the looming time change. It is especially important that eating and sleeping times are regular.
• Follow a balanced and varied diet. It is very beneficial to adapt the diet to the new season, reducing caloric intake and increasing that of fruits and vegetables, foods high in vitamins and minerals.
• Drink plenty of water and fluids. The importance of staying hydrated is especially important at this time, since with the rise in temperatures you sweat more and lose a greater amount of water.

• Perform moderate physical exercise. That will promote the release of endorphins and other hormones that prevent the feeling of apathy. On the other hand, it will help to release stress and fall asleep more easily.
• Sleep and rest the necessary time. Following a proper sleep routine will help regulate circadian rhythms. Circadian rhythms are closely related to the hours of light / dark and if they are altered, they cause problems falling asleep and resting properly.
• Avoid vitamin complexes and self-medication. The intake of a correct amount of daily vitamins can be achieved by following a balanced diet, not being necessary to resort to taking daily vitamin complexes.

In conclusion, although spring asthenia is a disorder with a high incidence in the population, it is mild and remits after a few days without the need for treatment. However, it is advisable to follow the advice described above, as they are an important help.

Only in some cases is it appropriate to refer the patient with spring asthenia to the doctor. In these cases, asthenia can become the manifestation of an underlying organic disease, such as anemia or a psychological disorder.