Fatigue

Fatigue is described as a lack of energy and motivation both physically and mentally. Fatigue is often confused with drowsiness, a term which describes being tired and the need to sleep. Many illnesses can result in the complaint of fatigue.

Causes of fatigue

There are a number of potential causes of fatigue which can range from poor blood supply to the body’s tissues, illnesses that affect metabolism, infections, inflammatory diseases, sleep disturbances, to a hormone imbalance. Fatigue is also a common side effect of many different medications.

Signs and symptoms of fatigue

Fatigue is a symptom of an underlying disease and is described in many ways depending on the illness, common symptoms include:

-Feeling weak

-Constantly tired (even with minimal activity)

-Lack of energy

-Shortness of breath/ chest pain

-Excess urination

-Excess thirst

-Change of vision

-Chills/Fever

-Weight loss

-Vomiting/Diarrhea

-Anxiety/Depression

Testing for underlying conditions

Testing for the underlying condition that is causing the fatigue include reviewing your past health, physical exam, blood test, blood glucose level, thyroid-stimulating hormone test, and a urine test. These tests will help rule out other conditions. We also provide resources to help determine the risk of you having an underlying condition that may be causing you symptoms.

Treatment for fatigue

Because fatigue is only a symptom of an underlying condition, the treatment for fatigue depends on the condition that is ultimately causing the fatigue. Some treatments for conditions that cause fatigue include medications, vitamins, and exercise.

Prevention of fatigue

This symptom can occur as a result of many causes so prevention is not an issue. Preventing the symptom would only prolong the knowledge and treatment of an illness/condition that you may have. The early recognition of fatigue will allow a person to seek medical care and potentially have an earlier diagnosis of the underlying cause. Sometimes symptoms like fatigue arise gradually which makes it difficult to identify that there is a problem. Being self-aware of gradual decline in your body’s performance can often be difficult but it is not impossible