What You Can Do to Fight HIV/AIDS-Related Fatigue

The first step in fighting your HIV/AIDS-related fatigue is for you and your doctor to determine the underlying cause of your fatigue. There are many causes of HIV/AIDS-related fatigue. Your doctor is likely to recommend tests to see if your fatigue has medical causes, such as anemia or hormonal imbalances, and you may require some type of medical treatment. In addition, there are also a number of ways you can fight HIV/AIDS-related fatigue by making changes in your daily life.

Medical Treatment for Fatigue

To help you fight your fatigue, your doctor may recommend medical intervention, such as blood transfusions, medications to increase red blood cell production, hormone replacement or steroid therapy to build muscle. If your fatigue is caused by an opportunistic infection, treating the infection should help. If depression, anxiety or stress is one of the underlying factors of your fatigue, treating your emotional state through medication, therapy or lifestyle changes may help.

Nutrition

Opportunistic infections, drug side effects and HIV/AIDS symptoms can all lead to reduced food intake and malnutrition. Because your body needs sufficient nutrients and calories to produce energy, you should review your diet with your doctor or other health care providers.

Most nutritionists recommend that people get their calories and nutrients from food, if possible. However, if you are unable to consume an adequate diet or absorb nutrients from the foods you eat, nutritional supplements can help make up the difference⁹, and your doctor may recommend them to you.

Rejeneril^A ® (palladium lipoic acid formulation) is a unique dietary supplement. In an observational study, 22 AIDS patients receiving Rejeneril^A ® exhibited almost immediate improvements in their quality of life, including more daily energy. As with all supplements, you may wish to discuss Rejeneril^A ® with your doctor before using it. Learn more about Rejeneril^A ®.

Even though you may feel improvements in energy while using dietary supplements, it is important to remember that you should not stop taking your regularly prescribed medications.

Exercise

Studies have shown that light or moderate exercise can improve energy levels. Try to do some light exercise every day unless you are feeling very ill.¹⁰ Be aware that your fitness level may be different than it used to be. To avoid injury, it is very important that you gradually work your way into an exercise program, rather than starting too quickly.¹¹

Conserving Energy

Conserving energy can be a powerful tool in fighting fatigue. This means you should be making deliberate choices about where and on what to expend your energy. Ask yourself what needs to be done, what can be left undone and what can be done later.¹²

Here are some ways to conserve your energy^{13, 14, 15}:

Schedule important activities at the times of the day when your energy levels are highest. Spread out heavy and light tasks throughout the day.
Take naps or rest during the day as needed.
Reduce or eliminate non-essential tasks.
Ask for help with tasks such as shopping, cleaning and preparing meals.
Pace your activity. Take five- or ten-minute rest periods during your activity to increase your overall productivity.