Exhaustion Symptoms: Migraine Headaches vs. Insomnia

Exhaustion Symptoms

Exhaustion, caused by prolonged stress or overwork, can manifest physically and psychologically, with two common symptoms being migraine headaches and insomnia. These symptoms are mediated by cortisol, a stress hormone. Neglected, these symptoms can lead to severe health issues.

Explanation

Exhaustion can manifest itself in various physical and psychological ways. It's the result of prolonged stress or overwork which causes the body and mind to feel depleted. Two evident manifestations of exhaustion are migraine headaches and insomnia. A migraine headache can be a sign of the body's ongoing struggle with stress. On the other hand, insomnia, which means difficulty in falling or staying asleep, can be another important sign of exhaustion. This can result in a vicious cycle where the lack of restful sleep leads to increased fatigue and increased difficulty in managing stress effectively.

Importantly, these symptoms are mediated by cortisol, a hormone released as a result of signals from the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis when the body is under stress. Over time, the symptoms can become severe and may include depression, suppressed immune response, extreme fatigue, or even a heart attack if ignored.