When a person is infected
with HIV, the body's resistance usually decreases slowly. As a result, people
with HIV are easily tired during their daily activities even when doing simple
things. Why is that and how to overcome it?
Why do people with HIV get tired easily?
Human immunodeficiency
virus or HIV is a disease that attacks the human immune system. When this defense
system is attacked, the body has difficulty fighting and getting rid of the
incoming virus. When you don't realize HIV is lodged in the body, this virus
will multiply quickly. This makes the body's energy continue to drain to fight
it.
Not only that, HIV also
includes viruses that attack and take over lymphocytes or T cells. In fact,
lymphocytes are cells that help the body fight infections and diseases. A
barrage of attacks on the body's defense system has long made the body tired.
In addition, depression,insomnia, and side effects of drugs are other sources of trigger that make the body experience severe fatigue. This feeling of fatigue due to HIV usually does not really disappear even when the sufferer is or has been resting. Plus this fatigue can also be caused by a lack of intake of vitamins and minerals.
This fatigue is usually
felt not only physically but also mentally. Tired physically makes you unable
to be as active as usual, even to do various simple tasks such as going up and
down stairs. While psychological / mental fatigue makes it difficult for you to
concentrate and lose motivation to do something.
How to address the fatigue due to HIV
Improve sleep patterns
Not infrequently people
with HIV easily tired from experiencing insomnia. If this happens to you, you
should improve your sleep patterns everyday in the following ways:
- You should sleep and wake up at the same time every day.
- Keep the room temperature cool.
- Create a comfortable room atmosphere by turning off the lights before going to bed.
- Read books before bedtime.
- Meditate or pray before going to bed.
- Do not drink alcohol or caffeine at night.
Try to consistently apply
this habit every day so that your sleep quality improves.
Doing things that are pleasing to the heart
Depression and HIV seem
inseparable. It's not new that people with HIV must experience a period where
they feel depressed and alone. If left unchecked, this condition is very
draining physical and mental energy that can cause people with HIV to become
easily tired.
If you are experiencing
this, try to do things that are pleasing to you. Go to a favorite place with
loved ones, watch a movie, or just pamper yourself with a spa at home, you can
try to do it. In essence, whatever you like, try doing it to help relieve
depression.
You can also join the
HIV-infected community for example to exchange stories. This is highly
recommended so that you feel that life expectancy is certainly still there and
is not struggling alone. You can also do alternative therapies such as
meditation or yoga to help ease the burden of the mind.
If all of these methods
don't work, go to the doctor and say that this depression is very disturbing to
you. Sometimes, drugs can be an option to help relieve depression that makes
the body and mind very tired.
Look for alternative medicines
Drugs for HIV include
drugs that have quite severe side effects. If you feel your body is getting tired
after taking a new medication that is prescribed, consult your doctor. If it is
deemed necessary, the doctor will provide other alternative drugs that are
commensurate with the more minimal side effects.
However, when fatigue is not known where it comes from, immediately consult a doctor. Quoted from Healthline, the use of stimulants such as methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine may be an alternative to overcome the severe fatigue you experience.
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