Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is well known for the physical symptoms associated with the chronic skin disorder, which range from small, painful lumps under the skin to enormous abscesses that can rupture.
A lesser-known fact: Your hidradenitis suppurativa may be wreaking havoc on your life in ways other than the skin, specifically your energy levels, as fatigue is one of the most commonly reported symptoms, impacting approximately 40% of HS patients.
Fighting emotions of chronic weariness makes dealing with your skin condition’s daily symptoms more difficult. What’s the good news? Dealing with weariness caused by your hidradenitis suppurativa might complement your current HS treatment approach. Indeed, “better clinical control of HS (meaning compliance with treatments and prompt management of flares) often leads to less fatigue,” according to Dr Adil. That’s a win-win situation!
According to Dr Adil getting started with addressing your exhaustion is easier than you would believe. Step one is to determine whether the exhaustion is a normal aspect of your illness or an indicator of another problem. This will prepare you for immediate relief and increased energy.
Here are 10 reasons why you may be tired and fatigued on a daily basis, as well as effective techniques to overcome it.
An HS flare-up is just around the corner, which is why you’re tired.
“Fatigue is one of the most common signs of a looming flare-up episode,” Dr. Tripathy says. “During the prodromal stage [a.k.a. a set of symptoms that occur before a flare strikes], it’s either skin sensitivity or fatigue as the first warning sign before the symptoms of HS appear.” Researchers believe that inflammation in the body reduces cellular energy availability. In other words, your body expends all of its energy fighting inflammation, leaving little energy for you to perform other things.
You’re tired because you’re stressed or anxious.
Stressing about the appearance and feel of your skin not only has an impact on your mental health, but it may also contribute to weariness. This is why: When you’re in a stressful environment (for example, an HS flare makes it difficult to move), your body creates more fight-or-flight chemicals. The response activates all bodily systems to keep you safe in what it sees to be a perilous scenario. “The mental toll that HS takes can cause anxiety, leading to fatigue and restlessness,” Dr Adil explains. That is why he recommends yoga or meditation: “Clarity in thought and emotion can help you avoid the blues.”
You’re tired because you’re overweight.
Obese people are two to six times more likely to be diagnosed with HS, according to a study published in 2021 by the Society for Investigative Dermatology. It’s a chain reaction: Experts believe that obesity is unlikely to cause HS, but it may aggravate it, increasing your fatigue. “Losing weight can help you boost your energy,” Dr Adil explains. Furthermore, “reducing body fat helps your body better metabolize food and maximize energy for your body.”
You are tired because you do not exercise on a regular basis.
“A healthy amount of weight loss is often beneficial for many disease processes, including HS, as well as the symptoms that stem from them, such as fatigue,” Dr Adil explains. However, if you are not overweight, exercising can help you overcome fatigue. A study published in Psychological Bulletin discovered that regular exercise boosts energy more than stimulant medicines. Dr Adil recommends exercising for 30-60 minutes every day to maintain your body healthy: “Cardio-based exercises like swimming, running, walking, and aerobic exercise will help you increase your energy level and prevent HS flares in the long run,” he explains.
You Could Have Sleep Apnea If You’re Tired
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which a person’s natural breathing abruptly stops and restarts or is inconsistent. According to Dr Adil, “being overweight can affect sleep apnea, which directly affects daily fatigue.”
You’re tired because your skin is itchy or uncomfortable.
Skin sensitivity is one of the initial symptoms of HS, but it could also indicate a local infection. “Itchy or sore lesions can keep you awake at night,” adds Dr Adil, and “when the lesions become infected, the body’s overload in antibodies to fight off the infection can also cause the body to feel run down.” Soothe your skin (immediately!) by applying a warm compress to the affected region or dabbing a little amount of aloe vera gel over hot, irritated lumps. Here are a few more derm-approved home treatments.
Your diet is high in processed foods, which is why you’re tired.
According to Dr Adil, adopting a clean diet will help lessen breakouts and exhaustion if you have HS. As delicious as glazed donuts are, they are a processed item that generates a brief surge in insulin and blood sugar, giving you a quick energy boost followed by an energy crash. Snack on anti-inflammatory whole foods like grapes, walnuts, and broccoli instead. Your skin, as well as your snooze button, will thank you.
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According to Ayurveda, hidradenitis suppurativa is a cause of Kapha and Pitta dosha. When the digestive fire (Agni), or Pitta, is out of balance, the Kapha Dosha becomes vitiated, which slows down metabolism. Due to the disruption of fat molecules, they start to build up in muscles and impede bodily passageways, causing painful, swollen sores in the groin, buttocks, thighs, and armpits.
In Ayurveda, hidradenitis suppurativa Treatment is to restore the body’s natural equilibrium by detoxifying it with potent herbal therapies.
The treatment for Hidradenitis Suppurativa at Elite Ayurveda comprises balancing the Kapha and Pitta doshas, as well as providing harmony to the metabolism. The treatment comprises body detoxification, internal drugs to balance doshas, and external applications to heal scars.
The treatment involves combinations of herbs created based on individual Prakruti and Vikruti analysis. Visit our website to know more
Connect with us to get our patient testimonials and also to speak with our patients directly about their experience in getting their disease treated by us and by Ayurveda as a whole.
Medically reviewed by Dr Adil Moulanchikkal, Lead Ayurveda Specialist at EliteAyurveda Clinics. With over 15 years of experience in treating Neurological, Skin & Autoimmune Diseases.
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