Spring Asthenia

Two percent of the population may suffer from "fatigue" or asthenia coinciding with the passage from winter to spring. This sensation can appear along with other manifestations.

In any case, this symptomatology is always mild and temporary. This clinical picture with no apparent cause to justify it, and coinciding with the seasonal change already mentioned, is commonly known by the name of spring asthenia.

It should be noted, however, that it is not a psychiatric disorder, but rather a subjective feeling that can reveal a greater vulnerability of the person in the face of these climatic changes. Not to be confused with the T.A.E. (Seasonal Affective Disorder), which is a psychiatric pathology recognized as a special type of disease that is accentuated, either in the winter months (winter depression) or in the summer months (summer depression), and which must be treated medically.

Why is it produced?

There is no specific theory about it, but it seems that it is a combination of two factors:

• Hours of sunlight
• Hormonal cycles

The origin of everything is in the hypothalamus, a gland located in the brain responsible for regulating, among other things, temperature, thirst, appetite, sleep and wakefulness, and that secretes hormones and neurotransmitters such as phenylethylamines, which are a kind of "amphetamines" responsible for provoke euphoria; beta-endorphins, responsible for vital optimism, and serotonins or hormones of happiness.

How is it produced?

When the seasonal change occurs (climatic variations), and with it an increase in temperature, the hours of sunlight and the change in time, a control is generated over the hypothalamic regulation that contributes in a very significant way to a drop in blood levels of all the hormones previously mentioned, which produces a sensation of physical and intellectual decay.

To explain why it affects some people and not others, it is necessary to rely on the existence of an unclear endogenous factor. This is a greater predisposition of the person to be affected by these climatic variations. We could equate it to those, which are also very frequent at this time of year; While for some, spring is synonymous with joy, others must suffer the consequences of rhinitis or asthma.

What symptoms does spring asthenia have

• Apathy or loss of appetite
• Sadness no apparent cause
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of libido or sexual desire
• Decreased concentration or memory loss
• Irritability or changes in mood
• General malaise, headache
• Arterial hypotension

How to prevent it?

Leading a healthy and orderly life with one is the basis for strengthening our body and its defenses, preventing exogenous factors from sapping our energy.

We could highlight six basic points to prevent spring asthenia:

• The diet must be balanced and varied, enriched in vitamins and minerals. We must emphasize the intake of vegetables, fruits, vegetables combined with farinaceous (rice, pasta, legumes, potatoes ...), without forgetting foods of animal origin (meat, fish and eggs). Specifically, there are foods that promote serotonin production, such as whole grains, olive oil, oily fish, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and fresh cheeses.
• Keep the body hydrated by ingesting a few two liters of water a day; this can be complemented with herbal teas and juices.
• Try sleep eight hours a day, or those that are necessary to feel rested.
• Do not smoke, do not drink alcoholic beverages, do not abuse coffee or exciting drinks.
• Perform a moderate exercise at least 30 minutes a day.
• Lead an orderly rhythm of life, maintaining fixed times for going to bed and getting up, and also for eating.

Sometimes, despite meeting all these requirements, it may also be necessary to use vitamins, minerals and plant extracts such as ginseng or royal jelly, but these should always be taken low and only for a limited time.

In short, if at the beginning of spring you feel more tired than usual, lacking the strength to carry out daily activities or it is difficult for you to maintain your normal work rhythm, you feel sad or feel unwell, it is likely that you are suffering from a spring asthenia.

But yes, if your feeling of fatigue or sadness persists over time, you should consult your doctor, because it could be another underlying problem.

MAPFRE Joint Prevention Service