Dr. Sanjay Shah

MD (Hom)
Consulting Homeopath
 
 
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Diseases and Conditions » Fatigue

Fatigue (medical)

 

The word fatigue is used in everyday living to describe a range of afflictions, varying from a general state of lethargy to a specific work-induced burning sensation within one's muscles. It can be both physical and mental. Physical fatigue is the inability to continue functioning at the level of one's normal abilities. It is ubiquitous in everyday life, but usually becomes particularly noticeable during heavy exercise. Mental fatigue, on the other hand, rather manifests in somnolence.

 

·         Types

§  Physical fatigue

Physical fatigue or muscle weakness (or "lack of strength") is a direct term for the inability to exert force with ones muscles to the degree that would be expected given the individual's general physical fitness. A test of strength is often used during a diagnosis of a muscular disorder before the etiology can be identified. Such etiology depends on the type of muscle weakness, which can be true or perceived as well as central or peripheral. True weakness is substantial, while perceived rather is a sensation of having to put more effort to do the same task. On the other hand, central muscle weakness is an overall exhaustion of the whole body, while peripheral weakness is an exhaustion of individual muscles.

§  Mental fatigue

In addition to physical, fatigue also includes mental fatigue, not necessarily including any muscle fatigue. Such a mental fatigue, in turn, can manifest it self both as somnolence (decreased wakefulness) or just as a general decrease of attention, not necessarily including sleepiness. In any case, this can be dangerous when performing tasks that require constant concentration, such as driving a vehicle. For instance, when a person is sufficiently somnolent, he or she may experience microsleeps. However, objective cognitive testing should be done to differentiate the neurocognitive deficits of brain disease from those attributable to tiredness.

 

·         Causes

Fatigue is typically the result of working, mental stress, jet lag or active recreation, and also boredom, disease and lack of sleep. It may also have chemical causes, such as poisoning or mineral or vitamin deficiencies.

 

The sense of fatigue is believed to originate in the reticular activating system of the lower brain. Musculoskeletal structures may have co-evolved with appropriate brain structures so that the complete unit functions together in a constructive and adaptive fashion. The entire systems of muscles, joints, and proprioceptive and kinesthetic functions plus parts of the brain evolve and function together in a unitary way.

 

 

 

 

·         Diseases

Temporary fatigue is likely to be e.g. common cold. Chronic fatigue, on the other hand, meaning of six months or more duration, is a symptom of a large number of different diseases on conditions.

 


o    Addison's disease

o    AIDS

o    Anemia

o    Ankylosing Spondylitis

o    Anorexia Nervosa

o    Anxiety or Panic Disorder

o    Arthritis

o    ATRT - Brain Cancer

o    Autoimmune disease

o    B12 Deficiency

o    Cancer Syndrome

o    Chemical dependency

o    Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)

o    Clinical depression

o    Congestive Heart Failure

o    Crohn's Disease

o    Diabetes

o    Epstein-Barr Virus

o    Endometriosis

o    Fibromyalgia

o    Hemochromatosis

o    Hepatitis C

o    HIV

o    Hyperthyroidism/Graves' Disease

o    Hyperparathyroidism

o    Hypothyroidism/Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

o    Idiopathic Hypersomnia

o    Lead poisoning

o    Leukemia or Lymphoma

o    Lupus erythematosus

o    Lyme disease

o    Interstitial Cystitis

o    Mitral valve prolapse/Mitral regurgitation

o    Mononucleosis

o    Multiple sclerosis

o    Muscular Dystrophy

o    Myasthenia gravis

o    Parkinson's disease

o    Pernicious anemia

o    Pneumonia

o    Post-Cancer Fatigue

o    Post-Concussion Syndrome

o    Pregnancy

o    Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC)

o    Reyes Syndrome

o    Certain medications, e.g. lithium salts, ciprofloxacin

o    Sinusitis

o    Sleep deprivation

o    Sleep disorders, e.g. insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, or narcolepsy

o    Starvation

o    Ulcerative colitis

o    Wegener's granulomatosi


 

·         Home Care

Here are some tips for reducing fatigue:

 

o    Get adequate, regular, and consistent amounts of sleep each night.

o    Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and drink plenty of water throughout the day.

o    Exercise regularly.

o    Learn better ways to relax. Try yoga or meditation.

o    Maintain a reasonable work and personal schedule.

o    Change your stressful circumstances, if possible. For example, switch jobs, take a vacation, and deal directly with problems in a relationship.

o    Take a multivitamin. Talk to your doctor about what is best for you.

o    Avoid alcohol, nicotine, and drug use.

 

If you have chronic pain or depression, treating either often helps address the fatigue. However, some antidepressant medications may cause or worsen fatigue. Your medication may have to be adjusted to avoid this problem. DO NOT stop or change any medications without instruction from your doctor.

Stimulants (including caffeine) are NOT effective treatments for fatigue, and can actually make the problem worse when the drugs are stopped. Sedatives also tend to worsen fatigue in the long run.

 

·         Call your health care provider if

Call your doctor right away if:

 

o    You are confused or dizzy

o    You have blurred vision

o    You have little to no urine, or recent swelling and weight gain

 

Call your doctor if:

 

o    You have ongoing, unexplained weakness or fatigue, especially if accompanied by fever or unintentional weight loss

o    You have constipation, dry skin, weight gain, or intolerance to cold

o    You wake up and fall back to sleep multiple times through the night

o    You have headaches

o    You are taking any medications, prescription or non-prescription, or using drugs that may cause fatigue or drowsiness

o    You feel sad or depressed

o    You have insomnia

 

·         What to expect at your health care provider's office

Your doctor will obtain your medical history and perform a complete physical examination, with special attention to your heart, lymph nodes, and thyroid. He or she may ask questions about your lifestyle, habits, and feelings.

 

Questions may include:

 

o    How long have you had fatigue? Did it develop recently or awhile ago?

o    Have you had fatigue in the past? If so, does it tend to occur in regular cycles?

o    How many hours do you sleep each night? From when until when? Do you awake feeling rested or fatigued? Do you have trouble falling asleep? Do you awake during the night? Do you snore or does someone who sleeps nearby tell you that you snore?

o    Do you feel fatigued or tired throughout the day? Does it tend to get worse as the day goes on or stays about the same?

o    Do you feel bored, stressed, unhappy, or disappointed?

o    How are your relationships?

o    Has anyone in your life recently passed away?

o    Have you had more activity (mental or physical) lately?

o    What is your diet like?

o    Do you get regular exercise?

o    Do you have any other symptoms like pain, headaches, or nausea?

o    Have you had any recent change in appetite (up or down) or weight (up or down)?

o    Do you fall asleep uncontrollably during the day?

o    Do you take any prescription or non-prescription medications? Which ones?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include the following:

o    Blood tests for anemia, thyroid function, and possible infection.

o    Urinalysis