Asthenic syndrome symptoms treatment in adults. Asthenia: symptoms, treatment

Bad mood, loss of strength, constant fatigue are familiar to every resident of large cities, but if these symptoms do not go away for a long time, this is a reason to see a doctor. Many people ignore chronic fatigue, attributing it to a high level of emotional stress, which is considered the norm in the modern world, but this condition may indicate serious disorders of the nervous system, one of which is asthenia.

What is asthenic syndrome

The vegetative (or ganglionic) nervous system (ANS), represented by a complex of cellular structures (neurons, nerve plexuses, ganglia), is responsible for the adequacy of the reactions of all body systems. The ANS is controlled by the cerebral hemispheres and hypothalamic centers of the brain. The functions of the autonomic system include the protection of the nervous system from overexcitation, which is carried out by regulating the processes of inhibition.

With the inhibition of the regulatory centers of the VSN, caused by a number of factors, painful conditions or syndromes develop, one of the manifestations of which is asthenic reaction (chronic fatigue). This condition is not an independent disease - it indicates the processes taking place in the body that deplete the nervous system, and is a harbinger of neurosis and psychosis.

The asthenic condition manifests itself in the form of prolonged chronic fatigue, not associated with severe mental or physical activity. The activity of the ANS does not depend on the volitional efforts of a person, therefore it is impossible to consciously influence the parameters controlled by the nervous system. In case of violation of inhibitory nervous processes, there is a weakening of self-control, a violation of habitual behavioral characteristics, a sharp deterioration in the psycho-emotional state, which cannot be corrected by the efforts of the will. The combination of all these signs is called a syndrome.

The asthenic condition can occur, both in the presence of objective reasons (for example, against the background of identified diseases), and without clearly expressed provoking factors. This syndrome rarely develops on its own, even in the absence of apparent reasons, so the first step to overcome asthenia is to establish the causes provoking it.

Causes of asthenic syndrome

Excitation and inhibition are important processes of nervous regulation that ensure the adaptability of the body to changes in environmental conditions. External stimuli, acting on the sense organs, cause a response of the central nervous system, which manifests itself in the form of a reflex mechanism. When the physical and chemical processes of inhibition are disturbed, the living system is in a state of constant physiological activity, i.e. a person loses the ability to have a good rest.

The etiology of the syndrome associated with asthenic condition is currently little studied. The results of ongoing studies and statistical data on the occurrence of asthenic reactions in patients indicate the presence of a group of causative factors that in most cases cause the development of the syndrome. The main trigger factors for neuropsychiatric weakness syndrome, appearing in many scientific theories, are the following:

pathology of internal organs - the syndrome can develop at the initial stage of diseases (with violations of the coronary blood flow), act as one of the manifestations of the disease (more often with chronic pathologies, such as peptic ulcer, tuberculosis, brucellosis, pyelonephritis) or manifest itself as a consequence of past diseases (pneumonia, acute infectious diseases);
brain damage - a common etiological factor in an asthenic condition is craniocerebral trauma, inflammatory processes in the membranes of the brain (meningitis) or in the brain itself (encephalitis), blockage of blood vessels supplying the brain with cholesterol (atherosclerosis);

viral damage to the body - one of the convincing theories of the etiology of the asthenic condition is viral, according to which the factors contributing to the development of the syndrome are cytomegalovirus, hepatitis C, herpes viruses (type 6) and Coxsackie, the role of some other viruses in the occurrence of asthenic reaction is defined as secondary (maintenance disturbed mental balance);
immunological disorders - changes in the organs of the immune system or the specifics of responses due to various reasons lead to disruption of the activity of the central and autonomic nervous systems, forms of immunopathologies are immunodeficiency and allergies;
increased production of lactate as a response to physical activity - the formation of lactic acid after intensive sports is a normal process, but if the mechanism of lactate production is disturbed, a conditioned reflex reaction to physical activity is formed, which leads to the development of severe fatigue syndrome after exercise;
imbalance of intellectual or psychological load and physical activity - persons whose activities are associated with intense mental activity to the detriment of physical activity fall into the risk group;
adverse environmental factors - prolonged exposure to toxic substances on the body leads to general intoxication and disruption of many systems, including the nervous one;
blood diseases (anemia, diathesis, thrombocytopenia) - a change in the properties of blood plasma or the number of blood cells in the body leads to a decrease in the immune status of the body and an increase in susceptibility to the penetration of pathogenic agents;
violation of metabolic processes in the body - a complete list of vitamins and vitamin-like substances, the deficiency of which causes an asthenic reaction, is not defined, but it is precisely established that a lack of levocarnitine directly affects a person’s performance and well-being;
psychological disorders - a long stay in a state of stress, anxiety, anxiety serves as a trigger for the start of processes leading to changes in the autonomic nervous system, as a result of which asthenic syndrome of psychogenic genesis develops;
improper organization of the daily routine - lack of rest, good sleep with constant intellectual, emotional or physical stress leads to the development of not only asthenic, but many other psychogenic syndromes;
violation of the principles of a balanced diet - the syndrome develops with a lack of intake of essential vitamins, microelements due to starvation, a violation of the psycho-emotional state caused by gaining excess weight when overeating;
dysbacteriosis - a direct relationship between a change in the bacterial balance of the intestinal flora and the development of an asthenic reaction has not been scientifically confirmed, but on the basis of experimental data, it has been revealed that most patients with chronic weakness syndrome have deviations from the norm in the quantitative content of intestinal bacteria;
exposure to an electromagnetic field - the theory of the relationship between the asthenic state and electromagnetic radiation is based on the high sensitivity of excitable tissues (nerve and muscle) to the effects of electric current.

Symptoms of asthenic syndrome

Due to the high variability of the causes contributing to the development of chronic fatigue syndrome, there are many forms of this condition, each of which is characterized by specific manifestations. It is problematic to single out specific symptoms of asthenia, since the signs of pathology are directly related to the underlying disease, the consequence of which is a neuropsychiatric disorder.

Information about the beginning of the progression of the syndrome is recorded in the patient's medical history based on the identified 4 or more signs from the conditional list of clinical manifestations of the asthenic condition. The main criterion is the syndrome of chronic overwork, lasting for 6 months or more. Other characteristic signs of disorders of the autonomic nervous system of an asthenic nature include:

lack of interest in ongoing events that directly concern the patient, progressive apathy;
a constant feeling of fatigue, weakness, drowsiness, which does not go away even after a full sleep;
increased causeless irritability, which the patient himself cannot correlate with certain causes;
loss of self-control over feelings, mood, emotions;
change in behavioral characteristics;
sleep disorders, which can manifest themselves in the inability to fall asleep, disturbing dreams, prolonged insomnia (several days in a row), sleepwalking;
increased excitability, quickly replaced by mental exhaustion;
the appearance of previously unusual character traits - capriciousness, tearfulness;
reduction or complete loss of the ability to mental or physical activity;
deterioration of memory, ability to concentrate;
transient shortness of breath;
muscle pain not caused by exercise;
intolerance to sharp sounds, smells;
increased photosensitivity;
disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, loss of appetite or, conversely, gluttony;
frequent changes in blood pressure;
headaches of unknown etiology.

Diagnostics

Doctors establish a preliminary diagnosis based on the described subjective sensations of the patient, so it is necessary to conduct a number of additional diagnostic examinations to confirm it. At the initial stage, it is important to differentiate the syndrome from ordinary overwork, which can be done by conducting a survey among people who are in constant interaction with the patient. Based on the information received and personal communication with the patient, the doctor draws up a psychological portrait of the person to identify the severity of mental abnormalities.

After compiling a preliminary clinical picture, assessing the collected anamnesis and symptoms, diagnostic measures are prescribed to confirm the asthenic condition, which include:

general blood test - the compliance of hematological parameters with normal values is determined, deviations from the norm may indicate pathological processes that provoked the development of chronic fatigue syndrome;
biochemical blood test - helps to assess the functioning of internal organs, evaluate metabolic processes, identify hypovitaminosis and beriberi;
general urinalysis - one of the complaints of patients with suspected asthenia is pain in the kidneys, impaired urination, the analysis helps to exclude or confirm the presence of renal and hepatic pathologies;
electrocardiography, echocardiography - intracardiac conduction disorders, cardiac and vascular pathologies are detected, which are one of the common causes of disorders of the nervous system;
measurement of pulse, blood pressure - auxiliary methods that contribute to the recognition of signs of underlying diseases;
computer or magnetic resonance imaging of the brain - using a magnetic field or x-rays, the activation of the cerebral cortex is monitored, tumors, aneurysms, and pathologies of nervous regulation are detected;
fibrogastroduodenoscopy - a study of the gastrointestinal tract using an endoscope, the state of the digestive system is assessed, factors that provoke the current condition of the patient are identified.

Patients suffering from nervous disorders are characterized by instability of behavior, therefore, treatment is recommended to be carried out in a hospital to ensure constant monitoring of the patient. Complex therapy is carried out in two directions - the elimination of the underlying disease (if detected during diagnosis) and the elimination of signs of asthenia. The main approaches to treatment are:

balancing the modes of rest and physical activity - physiotherapeutic methods are used (hydrotherapy, reflexology), physiotherapy exercises;
restoration of the ability to a full sleep - is carried out with the help of drugs (nootropics, antidepressants, hypnotics, psycholeptics) and autogenic training;
decrease in the level of psycho-emotional load - is achieved through the use of psychotherapy methods;
normalization of the diet, ensuring the intake of the necessary vitamins and minerals into the body - the appointment of a therapeutic unloading diet, multivitamin complexes, glucose;

Asthenic syndrome is a psychopathological disorder that is characterized by progressive development and accompanies most diseases of the body. The main manifestations of asthenic syndrome are fatigue, sleep disturbance, decreased performance, both physical and mental, irritability, lethargy, autonomic disorders.

Asthenia is the most common syndrome in medicine. It accompanies infectious and somatic diseases, disorders of the mental and nervous system, occurs in the postpartum, postoperative, post-traumatic period.

Asthenic syndrome should not be confused with ordinary fatigue, which is a natural state of the body of any person after severe mental or physical stress, after changing time zones, etc. Asthenia does not occur suddenly, it develops gradually and remains with a person for many years. It is impossible to cope with asthenic syndrome simply by sleeping at night. His therapy is in the competence of the doctor.

Most often, asthenic syndrome affects people of working age from 20 to 40 years. People engaged in heavy physical labor, those who rarely rest, are exposed to regular stress, conflicts in the family and at work can fall into the risk group. Doctors recognize asthenia as a disaster of our time, since it imperceptibly affects a person’s intellectual abilities, his physical condition, and reduces the quality of life. In the clinical practice of any doctor, the proportion of complaints about the symptoms of asthenia is up to 60%

Symptoms of asthenic syndrome

Symptoms of asthenic syndrome are in three basic manifestations:

Symptoms of asthenia itself;

Symptoms of the pathology that led to asthenia;

Symptoms of a person's psychological reaction to an existing syndrome.

Symptoms of asthenia are most often hardly noticeable in the morning. They tend to build up throughout the day. The clinical signs of asthenia reach their peak in the evening, which forces a person to interrupt his work and rest.

So, the main symptoms of asthenic syndrome are:

Fatigue. All patients complain about fatigue. They note that they begin to get tired more than in previous years, and this feeling does not go away even after a long rest. In the context of physical labor, this manifests itself in a lack of desire to do one's work, in an increase in general weakness. As for intellectual activity, there are difficulties with concentration, with memory, attentiveness and quick wits. Patients prone to asthenic syndrome indicate that it has become more difficult for them to express their own thoughts, to formulate them into sentences. It is difficult for a person to find words to express any idea, decision-making occurs with some inhibition. To cope with previously feasible work, he has to take a time out to take a break. At the same time, breaks in work do not bring results, the feeling of fatigue does not recede, which provokes anxiety, creates self-doubt, causes internal discomfort due to one's own intellectual insolvency.

Violations of the psycho-emotional sphere. Decreased working capacity, difficulties in terms of professional activity cause the appearance of negative emotions. This is a completely natural reaction of a person to a problem that has arisen. At the same time, people become quick-tempered, picky, unbalanced, constantly in tension, unable to control their own emotions and quickly go out of themselves. Many patients with asthenic syndrome have a tendency to increased anxiety, assess what is happening with clearly unfounded pessimism, or, on the contrary, with inadequate optimism. If a person does not receive qualified assistance, then the psycho-emotional disorders are aggravated and can lead to depression, neurosis, and neurasthenia.

Problems with night rest. Sleep disorders depend on what form of asthenic syndrome a person suffers from. With hypersthenic syndrome, it is difficult for a person to fall asleep, when he succeeds, he sees vivid rich dreams, can wake up several times at night, gets up early in the morning and does not feel fully rested. Hyposthenic asthenic syndrome is expressed in drowsiness that haunts the patient during the daytime, and at night it is difficult for him to fall asleep. The quality of sleep also suffers. Sometimes people think that at night they practically do not sleep, although in fact there is sleep, but it is severely disturbed.

Patients are characterized by hypersensitivity. So, a weak light seems excessively bright to them, a quiet sound is very loud.

The development of phobias is often inherent in people with asthenic syndrome.

Patients often present with symptoms of various diseases. which they don't actually have. It can be both minor diseases and fatal pathologies. Therefore, such people are frequent visitors to doctors of various specialties.

The symptoms of asthenic syndrome can also be considered in the context of two forms of the disease - this is a hypersthenic and hyposthenic variety of the disease. The hypersthenic form of the disease is characterized by increased excitability of a person, as a result of which it is difficult for him to endure loud noises, screams of children, bright lights, etc. This irritates the patient, forcing him to avoid such situations. A person is haunted by frequent headaches and other vegetative-vascular disorders.

The hyposthenic form of the disease is expressed in low sensitivity to any external stimuli. The patient is depressed all the time. He is lethargic and sleepy, passive. Often people with this type of asthenic syndrome experience apathy, unmotivated anxiety, and sadness.

Causes of asthenic syndrome

Most scientists are of the opinion that the causes of asthenic syndrome lie in overstrain and exhaustion of higher nervous activity. The syndrome can occur in absolutely healthy people who have been exposed to certain factors.

A number of scientists compare asthenic syndrome with an emergency brake, which does not allow the potential for working capacity inherent in a person to be completely lost. Symptoms of asthenia signal a person about an overload, that the body can hardly cope with the resources it has. This is an alarming condition indicating that mental and physical activity should be suspended. Thus, the causes of asthenic syndrome, depending on its form, may vary.

Causes of functional asthenic syndrome.

Acute functional asthenia occurs due to exposure to stress factors, overload at work, as a result of a change in time zone or climatic conditions of residence.

Chronic functional asthenia occurs after infections, after labor, after operations and weight loss. The transferred ARVI, influenza, tuberculosis, hepatitis, etc. can become an impetus. Somatic diseases such as pneumonia, gastrointestinal diseases, glemerulonephritis, etc. are dangerous.

Psychiatric functional asthenia develops against the background, with increased anxiety and as a result.

Functional asthenia is a reversible process, it is temporary and affects 55% of patients with asthenic syndrome. Another functional asthenia is called reactive, as it is the reaction of the body to one or another effect.

Causes of organic asthenic syndrome. Separately, it is worth noting organic asthenia, which occurs in 45% of cases. This type of asthenia is provoked either by a chronic organic disease or a somatic disorder.

In this regard, the following reasons leading to the development of asthenic syndrome are distinguished:

Brain lesions of infectious organic origin are various neoplasms, encephalitis and abscess.

Severe traumatic brain injury.

Pathologies of a demyelinating nature are disseminated encephalomyelitis, multiple sclerosis.

Degenerative diseases are Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, senile chorea.

Vascular pathologies - chronic cerebral ischemia, strokes (ischemic and hemorrhagic).

Factors provocateurs that have a potential impact on the development of asthenic syndrome:

Monotonous sedentary work;

Chronic sleep deprivation;

Regular conflict situations in the family and at work;

Prolonged mental or physical work that does not alternate with subsequent rest.

Diagnosis of asthenic syndrome

Diagnosis of asthenic syndrome does not cause difficulties for doctors of any specialty. If the syndrome is a consequence of an injury, or develops against the background of a stressful situation or after an illness, then the clinical picture is quite pronounced.

If the cause of asthenic syndrome is any disease, then its signs can be veiled by the symptoms of the underlying pathology. Therefore, it is important to question the patient and clarify his complaints.

It is important to pay maximum attention to the mood of the person who came to the reception, find out the features of his nightly rest, clarify his attitude to work duties, etc. This should be done, since not every patient can independently describe all his problems and formulate his complaints.

When interviewing, it is important to take into account that many patients tend to exaggerate their intellectual and other disabilities. Therefore, not only a neurological examination is very important, but also a study of the intellectual-mnestic sphere of a person, for which there are special tests-questionnaires. Equally important is the assessment of the patient's emotional background and his reaction to some external stimuli.

Asthenic syndrome has a similar clinical picture with neurosis of the depressive type and hypochondriacal type, but with hypersomnia. Therefore, it is important to conduct a differential diagnosis with these types of disorders.

It is necessary to identify the underlying pathology that could provoke asthenic syndrome, for which the patient must be referred for consultations to specialists of various profiles. The decision is made on the basis of the patient's complaints and after his examination by a neurologist.

Treatment of asthenic syndrome

Treatment of asthenic syndrome of any etiology is important to start with the implementation of psychohygienic procedures.

The mode of work and rest should be optimized, that is, it makes sense to review your own habits and, possibly, change jobs.

You should start doing tonic physical exercises.

It is important to exclude the impact of any toxic substances on the body.

Avoid alcohol, smoking and other bad habits.

Useful foods enriched with tryptophan are bananas, turkey, wholemeal bread.

It is important to include foods such as meat, soy, legumes in the diet. They are excellent sources of proteins.

Do not forget about vitamins, which are also desirable to obtain from food. These are a variety of berries, fruits and vegetables.

The best option for a patient with asthenic syndrome is a long rest. It is advisable to change the situation and go on vacation, or to a spa treatment. It is important that relatives and friends treat the condition of their family member with understanding, since psychological comfort at home is important in terms of therapy.

Drug treatment is reduced to taking the following drugs:

Anti-asthenic agents: Salbutiamine (Enerion), Adamantylphenylamine (Ladasten).

Nootropic drugs with the effect of psychostimulation and anti-asthenic properties: Demanol, Nooklerin, Noben, Neuromet, Phenotropil.

Vitamin and mineral complexes. In the United States, it is customary to treat asthenic syndrome by prescribing high doses of B vitamins. However, this threatens to develop serious allergic reactions.

Herbal adaptogens: ginseng, Chinese magnolia vine, Rhodiola rosea, pantocrine, etc.

Antidepressants, antipsychotics, procholinergic drugs can be prescribed by neurologists, psychiatrists, and psychotherapists. At the same time, a comprehensive examination of the patient is important.

Depending on the degree of disruption of night rest, sleeping pills may be recommended.

A good effect is given by some physiotherapy, such as: electrosleep, massage, aromatherapy, reflexology.

The success of treatment often depends on the accuracy of identifying the cause that led to the development of asthenic syndrome. As a rule, if it is possible to get rid of the underlying pathology, then the symptoms of asthenic syndrome either completely disappear or become less pronounced.

Education: In 2005, she completed an internship at the First Moscow State Medical University named after I.M. Sechenov and received a diploma in Neurology. In 2009, she completed her postgraduate studies in the specialty "Nervous Diseases".

Asthenic syndrome is a complex of symptoms, the main of which are increased weakness and fatigue. This condition occurs against the background of various pathologies or overwork. Many have noticed signs of asthenia that appear after an illness - for example, after SARS or influenza. In this case, the syndrome passes quickly and does not return again. However, if he accompanies a person for a long time, this is fraught with unpleasant consequences - from conflicts with loved ones and loss of work to the development of various diseases.

Asthenic syndrome - what is it?

ICD-10 codes:

F06.6 - Organic emotionally labile [asthenic] disorder;
F48.0 - Neurasthenia;
R53 - Malaise and fatigue.

Asthenic syndrome is a progressive disease that can manifest itself in both adults and children. Due to the depletion of the nervous system, there are changes in behavior, attitudes towards surrounding stimuli, and the way of responding to what is happening. Asthenic syndrome in a mild form can be observed in absolutely healthy people against the background of overwork and stress. Asthenia is characterized by low motivation, loss of strength, irritability, weakness and other disorders. A person with asthenic syndrome is emotionally unstable and quick-tempered, he experiences problems with sleep, suffers from pressure surges, sweating and a constant feeling of anxiety. In this case, even minor things easily piss him off: he cannot take part in disputes, reacts sharply negatively to bright lights and loud music, and may burst into tears for almost no reason.

The difficulty lies in the fact that the listed signs are observed in other pathologies. Therefore, it is not always unambiguously clear that a person is faced with asthenic syndrome. However, if you look closely at your condition, you can assume the development of asthenia. What other manifestations indicate this?

progressive apathy, loss of interest in your favorite business;
decrease in working capacity;
weakness that occurs for no reason;
persistent drowsiness, waking up feeling tired;
changes in character - it becomes "bad";
memory problems;
dyspnea;
disorders in the work of the digestive tract, kidneys and liver.

Unlike overwork, asthenia is a pathological process. The main difference is that the feeling of fatigue during overwork is temporary and always manifests itself due to excessive energy expenditure. A symptom of asthenic syndrome is fatigue, which accompanies a person everywhere, and this feeling does not go away after rest.

Asthenicsyndrome - causes and pathogenesis

The etiology of asthenic syndrome is not fully understood, however, there are a number of pathologies that can undoubtedly cause its development:

encephalopathy;
hypertension;
pyelonephritis;
iron deficiency anemia and other blood diseases;
tuberculosis and other infectious diseases;
consequences of traumatic brain injury;
mental illness;
endocrine diseases;
encephalitis, meningitis.

Another asthenic syndrome appears against the background of intoxication, psychosis, organic diseases of the nervous system, hepatitis, childbirth, surgeries, etc. In other words, any pathology that provokes a violation of metabolic processes in the body or leads to a deficiency of nutrients, entails the development of asthenia.

The pathogenesis of asthenic syndrome includes versatile aspects: psychosocial, metabolic, neurohormonal and infectious-immune. From the outside, the development of the disease looks like this: a person, experiencing a constant breakdown, becomes less active and motivated to act. He seeks to protect himself from situations that require energy costs. Preferring inaction to action, he becomes lazy and reacts sharply to stimuli. First - on large ones, then - on insignificant ones.

The development of asthenic syndrome is characterized by a decrease in the activity of the reticular formation, which leads to problems with sleep, loss of strength, and an altered perception of oneself and the world around.

In adults, asthenia often develops against the background of stress and overwork. In children and adolescents, the appearance of symptoms of asthenic syndrome is often associated with mental overstrain during study. The specificity of asthenia at a young age is that it is difficult to notice at the initial stage. To help parents - a list of signs indicating asthenic syndrome:

forgetfulness and inattention;
sleep and appetite disturbance;
muscle and joint pain;
headache, dizziness;
Refusal of any activities that require mental and physical activity.

If at least a few of these signs are present, you need to show the child to the pediatrician.

Classification

In terms of origin, the variants of asthenic syndrome are as follows:

organic form: asthenic syndrome appears as a result of chronic somatic diseases and organic lesions. The organic form is observed in Alzheimer's disease, vascular pathologies, sclerosis, etc.
functional form: asthenia occurs as a response of the body to stress, physical exhaustion or somatic illness in an acute form. In this case, asthenia is easily curable.

In the organic form of asthenic syndrome, three stages of its development are observed:

the appearance of the first symptoms: loss of strength, mood swings, irritability, etc.;
progression of symptoms: they become independent, constantly accompanying a person and no longer depend on the disease that they were originally caused by;
the disease is accompanied by the appearance of anxiety-phobic moods and hypochondria; the formation of anxiety-asthenic syndrome is possible. There is a violation of the activity of the autonomic nervous system.

If we talk about the nature of the syndrome, there are two types of asthenia - acute and chronic. Acute asthenia is short-lived and appears due to past illnesses or stress. The appearance of chronic asthenia is due to organic disorders. So, chronic fatigue syndrome is a kind of chronic asthenic syndrome.

There are many varieties of asthenic syndrome. Only a specialist after a comprehensive examination can determine what a particular person is suffering from. Below is a list of conditions, compiled based on the reasons for their occurrence:

Nervous-asthenic syndrome: a strong weakening of the central nervous system, leading to increased irritability and conflict.
Moderate asthenia: occurs when social self-realization is impossible;
Cerebrosthenic syndrome: a violation of the activity of brain neurons leads to the inability to control one's state and emotions.
Severe asthenic syndrome: occurs against the background of organic brain lesions. Accompanied by headaches, memory impairment, dizziness, problems with the vestibular apparatus.
Vegetative-asthenic syndrome: autonomic disorders as a result of infectious diseases. With astheno-vegetative syndrome, a deterioration in the patient's condition is observed if he is in a tense environment.
Cephalgic asthenia: the patient can control mood and emotions, but suffers from regular headaches.
Alcoholic asthenia: occurs in the first stage of alcoholism.
Asthenic depression: characterized by increased fatigue, sudden mood swings, impatience and irascibility.
Asthenic syndrome after the flu: it is characterized by a decrease in working capacity, difficulties in interacting with others, increased anxiety.
Neurasthenia: accompanied by problems with the gastrointestinal tract, headaches and mental illness.

Diagnostics

If there are symptoms of asthenic syndrome, you need to contact a therapist (or a pediatrician, if we are talking about a child), who will prescribe the necessary studies:

blood tests (including from a vein) and urine;
measurement of blood pressure;
FGDS;
MRI, CT.

The doctor will professionally assess the psychological state of the patient and draw up a complete picture of the pathological manifestations. The results of the examination will help determine the cause of the development of asthenia. In the future, therapy for the most part will be based on the treatment of the underlying cause that led to the development of this syndrome.

Diagnosis "asthenic syndrome": how to treat?

First of all, with asthenic syndrome, you need to change your lifestyle. Doctors usually give the following recommendations to patients:

provide yourself with peace, limit physical and mental stress;
adhere to the daily regimen drawn up by a specialist;
normalize sleep (hypnotics are often prescribed for this);
eat well;
to refuse from bad habits;
engage in physical therapy;
take vitamins and sedatives;
if possible, change the situation for a while.

As a rule, the treatment of asthenia is prescribed with medicines containing adaptogens: pantocrine, rhodiola rosea, ginseng, etc. If necessary, drugs with B vitamins, antidepressants, antipsychotics are used. Physiotherapy methods such as electrophoresis and electrosleep are used. Some doctors practice herbal and homeopathic treatment. Sometimes the patient is prescribed therapeutic massage.

Folk methods of treating asthenia include the use of herbal infusions. One option - crushed dried hop cones, lemon balm, chamomile and valerian root are mixed in equal proportions. One tablespoon of the mixture is poured into 0.5 liters of boiling water, then the drink is infused for a quarter of an hour. You can drink it throughout the day.

A beneficial effect on the treatment of asthenic syndrome is the use of vegetables, foods containing tryptophans (lean poultry, bananas), herbs, dairy and sour-milk products.

Prevention and prognosis

In order to prevent the development of asthenic syndrome in children and adults, stress should be avoided whenever possible. A comfortable environment at home and in the workplace, as well as trusting relationships with loved ones, is important. In addition, it is important to observe the daily routine, get enough sleep and be in the air. Proper nutrition and exercise also play a big role.

If you are faced with asthenia, in more than half of the cases you can get rid of it without consequences for the body. It is important to see a doctor as soon as possible so that the asthenic condition does not develop into a personality disorder, depression, or any other pathology.

Asthenic syndrome is a disorder that is characterized by the occurrence of weakness, apathy and increased irritability due to the influence of stress and somatic diseases. Diagnosis of this disorder is carried out with the help of narrow specialists, as well as a neurologist and a psychiatrist, and includes laboratory and instrumental research methods. Treatment includes drugs and bed rest.

Show all

Description of the disease

Asthenic syndrome (asthenia) in psychology is a progressive psychopathological pathology that accompanies many diseases of the body and occurs in children and adults. According to studies, asthenia is based on overstrain and exhaustion of higher nervous activity. This disorder is currently considered the most common. The main reason for the development of this syndrome is a deficiency in the intake of nutrients and nutrients, too much energy expenditure or metabolic disorders.

Acute and chronic somatic diseases, intoxication of the body, improper or poor nutrition can affect the development of asthenia. Mental diseases (schizophrenia, manic-depressive psychosis), excessive mental and physical stress, prolonged psycho-traumatic situations develop asthenic syndrome in the patient. Asthenia may occur in connection with the following diseases and conditions:

SARS;
flu;
food poisoning;
tuberculosis;
hepatitis;
gastritis;
peptic ulcer of the duodenum;
pneumonia;
hypertension;
the period after childbirth and operations;
post-traumatic stage.

Main clinical manifestations and forms

There are three main components of asthenic syndrome:

clinical manifestations of asthenia;
disorders caused by the patient's psychological response to the disease;
disorders associated with the underlying pathological condition of the syndrome.

Signs of asthenic syndrome are often are absent or weakly expressed in the morning, appear and develop during the day. In the evening, the symptoms of this disorder reach their maximum manifestation. This forces patients to rest before doing work or household chores. There are complaints of fatigue. Patients say they get tired faster than before. The feeling of fatigue does not disappear in patients after a long rest.

During physical exertion, there is general weakness and a lack of desire to do any work. Difficulties in concentrating attention on any business, memory impairment are noted. Decreased concentration. There is absent-mindedness and inhibition when solving any problems. The feeling of fatigue in patients causes anxiety and anxiety. They lose confidence in their own worth.

Patients complain of increased aggressiveness and irritability. They become quick-tempered and tense, lose their self-control. Such patients develop emotional lability (sudden mood swings), high anxiety and depression. They assess current situations as extreme manifestations of optimism or pessimism. Patients are often depressed. As emotional symptoms progress, patients may develop neurasthenia, depressive or hypochondriacal neurosis.

Vegetative disorders are also a symptom of asthenic syndrome. Patients complain of palpitations (tachycardia), pulse lability, i.e., its irregularity. Changes in arterial pressure are noted. Patients are concerned about the feeling of chills and heat in the body, increased sweating in the area of the palms, feet and armpits. There is a decrease in appetite and weight loss, constipation. Patients complain of pain in the abdomen. Sometimes there are headaches and dizziness. In men, there is a decrease in potency.

Sleep disturbances occur in persons with asthenic syndrome. Difficulties with falling asleep are noted, dreams are distinguished by anxiety and saturation. Because of this, patients constantly wake up at night, get up early in the morning and feel overwhelmed after sleep. Some patients complain of feeling that they hardly sleep at night. Other patients experience daytime sleepiness. The presence of superficial sleep is noted.

Features of asthenic syndrome in children

There are certain symptoms of asthenic syndrome in childhood. Children complain of fatigue and weakness. The child refuses to perform favorite activities, sleep and appetite are disturbed. Headaches and dizziness are noted.

They cannot concentrate on completing tasks. There are memory impairments. Such patients complain of pain in the muscles and joints. If a child has three or more of the above symptoms, then you need to contact a pediatrician for help.

Types of asthenic syndrome

Depending on the etiology (cause) of the occurrence of this disease, two forms are distinguished: organic and functional. Organic asthenic syndrome occurs in 45% of cases. This form of the disorder occurs in people with chronic somatic diseases or organic lesions that have a progressive course. The organic form of asthenia accompanies the following diseases:

infectious diseases of the brain (encephalitis, abscesses, tumors);
traumatic brain injury;
demyelinating pathologies (multiple sclerosis, encephalomyelitis);
vascular disorders (chronic cerebral ischemia, hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke;
degenerative diseases (Alzheimer's disease, senile chorea, Parkinson's disease).

Functional (reactive) asthenic syndrome appears in 55% of cases. This disorder is reversible. This disorder is characterized by the body's reaction to a stressful situation, physical overwork, or an acute somatic illness.

According to the etiological factor, somatogenic, post-traumatic, post-natal, post-infectious asthenia are also distinguished. Somatogenic asthenia occurs against the background of diseases of the blood, endocrine system and operations. There are three stages in the development of this condition.

The first (initial) stage is characterized by an indefinite nature of the symptoms. At the second stage, persistent asthenization develops, which does not depend on the underlying somatic disease. At the last stage, anxiety-phobic and hypochondriacal disorders join the asthenic syndrome, and subsequently the asthenic-anxiety syndrome develops.

Post-traumatic asthenia occurs after a brain injury. Postpartum occurs a few months after childbirth. The post-infectious form of asthenia develops against the background of infections of the nervous system. All these types of pathology are manifested in the form of the above symptoms.

Depending on the characteristics of the clinical manifestations, asthenia is divided into hypersthenic form and hyposthenic. With hypersthenic syndrome, the patient does not tolerate loud sounds, noise and bright lights. For this reason, increased excitability and irritability develops. This form of the disease can turn into hyposthenic asthenia, which is characterized by the presence of a decrease in the perception of external stimuli, which leads to weakness, lethargy and increased drowsiness of the patient.

Depending on the duration of the existence of asthenic syndrome, acute and chronic asthenia are distinguished. Acute asthenia occurs after severe stressful situations, acute diseases (bronchitis, pneumonia, gastritis, pyelonephritis) or infections (measles, rubella, dysentery). Chronic asthenic syndrome has a longer course and occurs due to organic pathologies. Chronic fatigue syndrome refers to chronic fatigue syndrome - constant physical and mental weakness lasting more than 6 months.

Separately, scientists distinguish neurasthenia (asthenic neurosis). This disorder is characterized by the presence of headache, gastrointestinal disorders, emotional pathologies and personality disorders. Mostly occurs in men aged 20 to 40 years.

Diagnostics

Such narrow specialists as gastroenterologists, cardiologists, neurologists, surgeons, traumatologists and psychiatrists face manifestations of asthenic syndrome. Of great diagnostic importance is the distinction between the symptoms of normal fatigue, which occurs after prolonged stress, change of time zones or climate, and in case of non-observance of the daily regimen from asthenia. Unlike ordinary fatigue, this disorder develops slowly over several months or even years and does not go through a long rest. Sometimes it is necessary to differentiate asthenia from hypochondriacal neurosis, sleep disorders and a depressive neurotic state.

The clinical picture of asthenic syndrome is revealed in the process of collecting patient complaints. It is necessary to ask the patient about his mood, state of sleep, attitude to work and his own condition. To obtain an objective picture, it is necessary to examine the mnestic sphere (memory) of the patient, to evaluate the emotional reaction to various external signals. The patient is examined by a neurologist, sometimes the help of a psychologist is needed.

Diagnosis of asthenic syndrome requires a mandatory examination in order to detect the underlying pathology that caused asthenia. To do this, they resort to the help of a gastroenterologist, cardiologist, gynecologist, pulmonologist, infectious disease specialist, traumatologist and many other narrow specialists. It is necessary to pass blood and urine tests, coprograms (stool examination), determination of blood sugar levels and a biochemical analysis of blood and urine.

Diagnosis of infectious diseases is carried out by bacteriological studies and PCR diagnostics (determination of DNA sections specific to certain pathogenic organisms). In addition to the above diagnostic methods, it is necessary to use instrumental research methods. These include:

Ultrasound of the abdominal organs, heart, kidneys, pelvic organs;
gastroscopy;
fluorography or radiography of the lungs.

Treatment

Doctors give general recommendations in the process of treating patients with asthenic syndrome, which consist in observing the daily regimen and giving up bad habits. The patient should be engaged in exercise therapy (therapeutic physical culture) and follow a diet that is prescribed for the underlying somatic disease. It is recommended to change the situation and stay for a long time on vacation.

Patients should eat foods that contain a large amount of tryptophans (bananas, turkey meat and cheese), B vitamins. Fruits, vegetables and dairy products should be added to the diet. A prerequisite for successful therapy is a comfortable, friendly environment at home and at work or school.

Asthenia can be treated with medications that contain adaptogens (ginseng, rhodiola, pantocrine). In American practice, treatment with large doses of B vitamins is used. This method of treatment contains the danger that against the background of the use of these drugs, many patients develop allergic reactions.

In the presence of the main somatic pathology, treatment is prescribed, which is selected only by a narrow specialist. In some cases, antidepressants (amitriptyline, Novo-Passit, Persen) and neuroleptic drugs (Aminazin, Azaleptin, Neuleptil, haloperidol) are prescribed if patients have pessimism, depressed mood and sleep disturbances.

This psychological disorder, which can be accompanied by various diseases of the whole organism, manifests itself in general exhaustion, fatigue and inability to perform physical activity, decreased mental abilities, and loss of concentration.

Asthenic syndrome is a pathological or acquired phenomenon in the state of the nervous system, which requires proper treatment, observation and a fairly long rehabilitation. With neglect, manifestation or exacerbation of chronic diseases or the acquisition of new ones is possible.

Most often, people suffering from asthenic syndrome are between the ages of twenty and forty years. At risk are people who have little rest, are constantly in depression and stressful situations, as well as people engaged in heavy physical labor.

Symptoms

In adults

Increased fatigue and tiredness. Fatigue from exertion sets in earlier than in the past. Even after rest, there is a feeling of fatigue and drowsiness, there is a desire to sleep and rest. Physical labor becomes not a joy, there is no desire not only to do one's work, but also just to go somewhere. In terms of mental aspects - loss of concentration, memory impairment, slow understanding of the situation, weak work of imagination and quick wits. In many cases, it becomes difficult for a person to formulate his thoughts and express overwhelming feelings. It also becomes difficult to find words and describe what is happening. Problem solving takes place in a slow mode, more and more often you want to postpone all things for tomorrow, and tomorrow for the day after tomorrow. For constructive work, there is a desire to take a break from work, but this rest does not produce results, so breaks can be taken more often, and work can be done more slowly.
Violations in the vegetative system. Sudden drops in blood pressure. Sudden change of heat and chilliness. At one point, a person may feel too hot and stuffy, after a couple of minutes there is a desire to put on a couple more sweaters on top, because it has become cool. At the same time, the overall temperature in the room remained unchanged.
Violations of the psycho-emotional state. Frequent appearance of negative emotions, unwillingness to work, depression, stress and irritability. Excessive temper, pickiness to trifles, unbalanced states, constant tension and a feeling of anger appear in the character. It becomes difficult for a person to control his emotions and mood swings. There are also sharply changing pessimistic moods or inadequate optimistic moods, which, in principle, have nowhere to come from.
Sleep problems, insomnia, nightmares. It all starts with the fact that it is difficult for a person to fall asleep, he goes to bed and cannot fall asleep, cannot lie down comfortably, any thoughts constantly interfere. If you still managed to fall asleep, then the dream may be restless, with vivid dreams, like visions. In the morning, a person does not feel sleepy and rested. The whole day is haunted by constant yawning and drowsiness. A person may think that he does not sleep at night and remembers everything that happened around him, but in fact a person could sleep, there was simply no deep phase of sleep and a relaxed state of the body did not come.
Increased sensitivity in various areas. Low lighting is annoying and seems very bright. A quiet, barely perceptible sound may seem louder than it actually is.
Development of various phobias. For example, the fear of closed spaces.
A person invents illnesses for himself, convinces himself that they exist, and then tries to convince others that he is sick. But in fact, there is no disease, a person has too developed imagination.

If you notice the following symptoms in yourself, then you should contact a specialist and diagnose the true cause of these ailments:

Weakness.
Pain in the lower back or other organs and muscles.
Sleep disorders. Sleepiness during the daytime, when the body needs to be awake, rapid fatigue.
There was shortness of breath when climbing stairs, or just walking.
Irritability.
Disorders in the work of the gastrointestinal tract. Nausea, heaviness in the stomach, and digestive problems may appear.
Deterioration of memory functions, memory impairment, memory lapses.
apathetic states.
Reduced performance.
Changes in blood pressure.
Disorders of the genitourinary system, frequent urination.
Lack of interest in life and what is happening around.
Violation of the efficiency of the liver and other organs.
Deterioration of character.
Vestibular disorders.
Violation of gestures.
Frequent headaches and dizziness.

Having dealt with the symptoms of the disease, you can try to analyze where it comes from, what factors and signs affect the appearance of asthenic syndrome.

Experienced stress and depression. Work overload. Change of time zone during flights and travel. Global change of climatic conditions for permanent residence.
Weakness of the body after serious illnesses and infections. Weakness in the body after childbirth or surgery. Loss of strength from constant diets and sudden weight loss.
Psychological impotence from depressive conditions, increased anxiety, sleep disturbance and insomnia.
Asthenic syndrome can occur after suffering damage or trauma to the brain due to infectious diseases.
Traumatic brain injury.
pathological features.
Distractedness and sclerosis. Difficulty in managing one's own emotions, an aggressive attitude, a quick change in emotional moods, tearfulness and complaints about life and people around them predominate.
Diseases of a degenerative nature.
Pathology of blood vessels and the cardiovascular system.
Monotony and sedentary work.
Constant sleep deprivation. Depression and bad mood, unwillingness to change your life, despondency and loss of strength. Apathy and increased anxiety.
Regular conflicts are stressful conditions that lead to aggression.
Prolonged mental or physical work, which does not subsequently rest. The result of overload and overvoltage.

Do not think that asthenic syndrome occurs only in adults, children can also be affected by this problem.

In children

Symptoms:

Excessive tearfulness, for no apparent reason.
Fright from various sounds.
Capriciousness, tearfulness from communicating with strangers, fatigue from communication.
The child falls asleep better in the absence of extraneous sounds. Even the smallest irritants interfere with sleep and can cause resentment on the part of the crumbs.

Asthenic syndrome in children from three to ten years old, symptoms:

Nervous states.
Closedness from others, taciturnity, unwillingness to make contact, both with parents and with peers.
fatigue.
Fear of strangers and strangers.
Difficult adaptation to environmental conditions, difficult getting used to a new environment. Uncomfortable feelings at a party or in the circle of other children, such as on the playground.
Irritability from bright lights and loud noises.
Unreasonable headaches.
Pain in the muscles from strong odors.

In most cases, asthenic syndrome in children develops from excessive mental and physical stress, this is expressed in rapid fatigue and increased irritability. Asthenic syndrome can occur due to a change of residence, a transition from kindergarten to school, where the loads and requirements are very different.

It should be borne in mind that asthenic depression may develop against the background of asthenic syndrome.

Asthenic depression

Asthenic depression is a sharp uncontrollable mood swings and behavioral changes. From causeless euphoria comes to uncontrolled aggression, which entails conflicts and discontent of others. As a result of sudden mood swings and outbursts of anger, a person loses concentration, memory disturbances appear, a person cannot continue the speech he has begun and remember what he said if he was distracted. Consequence, even greater irritability and apathy. With asthenic depression, it is difficult for a person to wait for his turn or wait for any event, nervousness manifests itself.

There are also moderate asthenic syndrome and alcoholic asthenia.

Moderate asthenic syndrome concerns people who cannot realize themselves as a person, cannot find their place in life, do not know what they want to do.

Alcoholic asthenia is a condition that manifests itself in the first stages of alcoholism. Apathy and unwillingness to admit the existence of problems, unwillingness to solve their problems on their own, plus everything, a person does not allow possible outside help. He thinks that no one understands him and no one can help him. Powerlessness and decline in strength, the destruction of personality.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of asthenic syndrome can be carried out by a doctor of any specialty.

Asthenic syndrome is established by means of a test. The doctor asks various questions, the patient answers them. There may also be pronounced points related to behavior.

After establishing the diagnosis of asthenic syndrome, the doctor begins to study the disease in the patient and establish the pathologies and causes from which the disease could originate.

The following methods can be used to diagnose asthenic syndrome:

Questioning the patient, compiling a general picture of the state of the body.
Evaluation of the manifestation of syndromes, their variants and frequency of manifestation.
Drawing up a psychological portrait of a person.
Blood, urine and, in some situations, stool tests.
Control and monitoring of blood pressure.
Electrocardiography (ECG).
Gastroscopy (FGDS).
Ultrasound of various organs.
CTG of the brain.

Treatment methods

It doesn’t matter what the origin of the asthenic syndrome is, treatment always begins with psychological procedures.

Optimizing your regime. It is worth adjusting work and rest to your habits and inner rhythm. Working day - 8 hours. Standard sleep time is 8 hours. Rest and free time - 2 hours. Walks and sports - 1-2 hours. Sports without overloads in a comfortable mode.
Help in adapting to the current situation.
Sleep normalization. Preparation for sleep, sleep and awakening. To correct sleep, the doctor may prescribe drugs to relax or fall asleep quickly.
It is necessary not to be lazy and start doing exercises or gymnastics to tone the body.
Eliminate toxic substances from your life.
It is worth thinking about giving up bad habits: smoking, drinking alcohol.
Diversify your diet, think over the menu. The body must receive building materials and antioxidants.
Food should be rich in proteins: meat, legumes, soy.
It is worth drinking a course of vitamins for immunity and general health of the body, but it is still preferable if the vitamins come from food: vegetables, fruits, berries. The body must receive a sufficient amount of vitamins, minerals and proteins.
It also makes sense to seek help from a psychologist and work out the main points with him. Let go of negative thoughts. Learn to control your state and mood.

It is necessary to provide yourself with a comfortable environment, go to relax and improve relations in the family.

In addition to treatment with psychological procedures, asthenic syndrome (more severe) can be treated with medications. Such treatment can only be prescribed by a qualified specialist.