Fatigue (fatigue): symptoms, causes, to treatment

Definition

What is fatigue?

Fatigue is a condition in which you always feel tired, lethargic, or lacking energy. This condition is not the same as simply feeling sleepy.

Fatigue is a condition that leaves you demotivated and energized. Drowsiness may be a symptom of fatigue, but the two conditions are not the same.

Fatigue is a common symptom of many mild to serious medical conditions, even death. Fatigue is also a natural result of some lifestyle, such as lack of exercise or poor diet.

Reporting from Medical News Today, two types of fatigue are:

• Physical exhaustion. A person finds it physically difficult to do things that are usually done, such as climbing stairs. This condition includes weak muscles. Later diagnosis may involve a strength test.
• Mental fatigue. A person finds it more difficult to concentrate on many things. The person may feel sleepy. Difficulty staying awake at work is also a condition that describes mental fatigue.

If your fatigue is a condition that can't be relieved by proper rest and nutrition, or you suspect it's caused by another condition, call your doctor right away. Your healthcare provider can help you diagnose the cause of fatigue and create an appropriate treatment plan.

Fatigue, especially chronic fatigue, is usually related to a medical condition or health problem. This condition is known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

How common is this condition?

Fatigue is a common complaint. It is important to know, fatigue is a symptom, not a disease. Many ailments can result in fatigue, in physical, psychological or a combination of the two.

This condition can be treated by reducing risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of fatigue?

There are various associated symptoms of fatigue depending on the cause. Individuals with heart disease, lung disease or anemia may experience shortness of breath or tire easily after minimal activity.

People with diabetes may experience polyuria (excessive urination), polydipsia (excessive thirst), or changes in vision.

People with hypothyroidism can also experience symptoms of cold, dry skin and brittle hair.

In addition, symptoms of fatigue are:

• Weight loss
• Chest pain and shortness of breath
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Fever and chills
• Weakness or muscle pain
• Anxiety and depression.

If not treated properly, the condition of weakness can lead to several possible complications, such as:

• Depression
• Social isolation
• Lifestyle restrictions
• Increased absences at work.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

Quoted from Healthline, you must contact your doctor if you experience the following symptoms:

• Can't think of anything that might be causing your fatigue
• Have a body temperature higher than normal
• Experiencing unexplained weight loss
• Feel very sensitive to cold temperatures
• Regularly have trouble sleeping
• Feeling depressed

If you have tried to change your lifestyle, such as lack of rest and poor eating habits, but without success, contact your doctor immediately.

In some cases, fatigue may be caused by a serious medical condition. Immediately go to the Emergency Unit (UGD) if you experience fatigue along with the following symptoms:

• Rectal bleeding
• Vomiting blood
• Severe headache
• Pain around the chest
• Want to pass out
• Irregular heartbeat
• Hard to breathe
• Severe pain in your stomach, back, or pelvic area
• Thoughts of wanting to kill yourself or injure yourself
• The thought of wanting to hurt others.

Cause

What causes fatigue?

The causes of fatigue can be divided into three main categories, namely lifestyle factors, medical issues, and mental health issues.

Lifestyle factors

If you experience fatigue, your activities and lifestyle choices can be the main culprits. Lifestyle factors that may cause fatigue include:

• Physical activity, including work, that is excessive
• Lack of activity
• Lack of sleep
• Bored
• Being overweight or obese
• Periods of emotional stress
• Mourning
• Using certain drugs
• Consuming alcohol regularly
• Taking narcotics
• Consuming caffeine
• Not having a good and nutritious diet.

Medical problems

Patients with chronic pain often wake up throughout the night. They usually feel tired when they wake up and can't get good quality sleep. The combination of pain and lack of sleep can cause fatigue.

Some of the medical problems and conditions that can cause fatigue include:

• Anemia
• Pain
• Addison's disease (a disorder that affects hormone levels)
• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
• Arthritis
• Insomnia and other sleep disorders
• Eating disorders
• Autoimmune disorders
• Fibromyalgia
• Congestive heart failure
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Kidney or liver disease
• Infection
• Symptoms of chronic fatigue
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, which makes breathing difficult)
• Emphysema
• Restless legs syndrome.

Mental health problems

People who experience anxiety and depression may experience fatigue as a symptom of these conditions. For example, fatigue is a symptom of anxiety disorders and depression.

Risk factors

What increases my risk of fatigue?

There are many factors that put you at risk for fatigue, namely:

• People aged 40 to 50
• Woman
• Stress.

Medicines & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is this condition diagnosed?

To diagnose fatigue, doctors usually recommend a thorough physical examination to see signs of the cause of this condition. An examination with an evaluation of several body systems in combination with an abnormality based on a medical history can help in the diagnosis.

Particular attention can be given to detecting abnormal thyroid glands, swollen lymph glands, abnormal heartbeat sounds and checking muscle shape and reflexes.

Depending on findings from history and physical examination, blood tests and other imaging studies may be performed.

How to deal with fatigue?

Since fatigue is a symptom of a causative condition, treatment depends on the cause which may be physical, psychological or a combination of the two.

Treatment of fatigue certainly depends on the conditions that cause the condition. Managing fatigue due to colitis will be different from fatigue due to multiple sclerosis. Likewise with fatigue due to rheumatism which is also not the same as fatigue due to hepatitis to HIV. Fatigue as a result of anemia to the fatigue you feel when you are pregnant can also be handled in different ways.

There may be a time lag between the treatment of the condition and the intensity of the fatigue symptoms, some of the symptoms may improve once the underlying condition is resolved.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes that can be made to overcome fatigue?

Most importantly, recognizing the condition of fatigue early can help patients seek medical help and have an early diagnosis.

Sometimes, symptoms such as fatigue appear gradually and it is difficult for the sufferer to notice a problem. An outside perspective may be needed, such as by family or friends who are aware of changes. People rarely realize it on their own.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.