Categories: Health

Fatigue – Symptoms, causes and other associated risk factors

Fatigue is a term which is used to describe a lack of energy or an overall feeling of tiredness. This is not the same thing when you feel drowsy or sleepy. When we are fatigued, then we do not have energy and motivation. Nearly every single person is overworked or overtired from time to time. These mentioned instances of a temporary fatigue usually have an identifiable cause and a likely remedy. But the unrelenting exhaustion lasts longer. It is more profound and it is not relieved by rest.

This is a nearly constant state of weariness which develops over time and it reduces your concentration, motivation and energy. Fatigue impacts your psychological and emotional well – being. Being sleepy can be a symptom of fatigue but these are not the same conditions.

Fatigue is a common symptom of many medical conditions and it can range from mild to serious. Also this can be a result of some lifestyle choices such as poor diet and lack of exercise. If your fatigue does not resolve with proper nutrition and rest or if you think that is caused by some underlying mental or physical health condition, then you need to visit your doctor as soon as possible.

Signs and symptoms of fatigue

Fatigue is a symptom of an underlying disease and this is described in many ways from feeling week or being constantly tired or you have lack of energy. Also there may be other associated symptoms which depends on the underlying cause.

People who suffer from hypothyroidism may also have symptoms of feeling cold, dry skin and brittle hair.
People with diabetes may complain of polyuria (which is excess urination), polydypsia (which is excess thirst) or change of vision.
People who suffer from heart disease, anemia of lung disease may complain of tiring easily with minimal activity or shortness of breath

It is very important to talk with your doctor if you have some of the mentioned symptoms because your doctor will discover the underlying cause for it and it will give you the best treatment for you.

Causes for fatigue

In the most cases, fatigue can be traced to one or more of your routines or habits, particularly when you have lack of exercise. Also this condition is related to depression. Also there are some rare cases in which fatigue is a symptom of some underlying medical condition and it needs medical treatment. Here are the causes that can lead to fatigue:

Conditions:

Unrelenting exhaustion can be a sign of a condition or an effect of the therapies or drugs that you have used to treat it, such as

Toxin ingestion
Stress
Sleep apnea
Pain that is persistent
Obesity
Sleep disorders such as insomnia
Multiple sclerosis
Seasonal affective disorder
Liver disease
Infections such as flu and cold
Medications and treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, pain drugs, heart drugs and antidepressants
IBD (Inflammatory bowel disease)
Hypothyroidism – underactive thyroid
Hyperthyroidism – overactive thyroid
Heart disease
Grief
Fibromyalgia
Meralgia paresthetica
Emphysema
Diabetes
Depression – major depressive disorder
COPD
Acute liver failure
Chronic kidney disease
Chronic infection or inflammation
Kidney disease
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Cancer
Anxiety
Addison’s disease – this is a disease which can affect your hormone levels
Eating disorders such as anorexia
Anemia
Acute liver failure
Autoimmune disorders
Arthritis
Lifestyle factors: When you take an honest inventory of things which may be responsible for the fatigue if often the first step toward relief. Fatigue can be related to:
Unhealthy eating habits
Consuming too much caffeine
Medications, such as antihistamines, cough medicines, sedatives, antidepressants
Periods of emotional stress
Lack of sleep
Boredom
Using street drugs such as cocaine
Lack of physical activity
Jet lag
Not eating a nutritious diet
Being overweight or obese
Excess physical activity
Use of alcohol on a regular basis
Grief