Sleeplessness And Fatigue: Warning Signs Of A Heart Attack

Sleeplessness Alerts

More people are worrying about the country's state of affairs that they are getting less sleep. Anxiety and stress levels are shooting up, and people are moving about faster to solve issues and think new strategies. It is not rare to hear complaints of sleeplessness and fatigue nowadays.

A disturbing report of the American Heart Association links sleeplessness and fatigue to the early warning signs of heart attacks in women. This is the first time that these symptoms have been associated with heart attack; but studies have to be conducted to confirm if these symptoms apply to men.

If you are a woman experiencing sleeplessness and fatigue, be on the alert. Studies suggest that these symptoms indicate the early signs of a heart attack. These usually happen a month before the strike of the attack. In a study of the American Heart Association, it is reported that 95% of 515 women studied had these symptoms.

The symptoms are accompanied by squeezing chest and back pains. Women should heed to these signs and get medical attention as early as possible to prevent or delay the attack. The same study surveyed a cross section of women with ages ranging from the 20s to the 90s experienced severe sleeplessness and fatigue.

Fatigue in this case, was so severe that some of these women were unable to function or do simple tasks without complaining of fatigue. Women become unusually when the day is over. This type of fatigue is rare, and should be medically evaluated the soonest possible time.

Fatigue Alerts

Chronic fatigue on the other hand affects people's lifestyles; it should not be dismissed as something that will go away. People suffering excessive and frequent bouts of fatigue have serious medical problems like cancer, and heart problems.

Symptoms range from lack of energy, exhaustion, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath and vertigo. Fatigue may not always be manifested by physical exhaustion, so people should watch out for other symptoms.

Causes and Treatment of Sleeplessness and Fatigue

Sleeplessness is always linked to stress, anxiety, and depression. Fatigue results from sleeplessness, too much sleep, lung diseases, malnutrition. It is wrong to assume that fatigue is always caused by sleeplessness. Knowing these causes can help people monitor their health conditions, and prompt them to get medical help.

Treatment for fatigue will vary from one person to another. Doctors may prescribe iron supplements and vitamins, medications for thyroid problems and to control blood sugar, antibiotics to treat infections causing sleeplessness and fatigue.

If the fatigue is caused primarily by sleeplessness, the doctor will advice the use of sleep apnea machines to improve the quality of sleep. These machines are the best method for curing apnea, which leads to sleeplessness – in the case of people who snore and unconsciously stop breathing for seconds. They wake up gasping for breath. The frequency of apnea attacks leads to poor quality of sleep, and cause complications.

Take Control of Your Life

So if you are getting less than 8 hours sleep, take action. If sleeplessness and fatigue are drastically affecting your life, see a doctor. It is no laughing or bragging matter that you can forego sleep, when there are pressures and deadlines to meet. This should not be your end goal. Your life is more important than those deadlines.