Fatigue

________________________________________________________________________

KEY POINTS

• Fatigue is a feeling of being tired and weak or having no energy.
• Fatigue is usually caused by another condition such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or lupus, or by medicines, depression, hormone problems, and other things. Treating that condition may help reduce your symptoms.
• It may help if you spread your activities out throughout the day, eat regular meals, get enough sleep, and exercise.

________________________________________________________________________

What is fatigue?

Fatigue is a feeling of tiredness or weakness. You lack the physical or mental energy to do your usual activities.

What is the cause?

Fatigue may be caused by:

• Anemia or not getting enough iron in your diet
• Using alcohol or illegal drugs
• Long-term pain caused by arthritis or other problems that may affect your sleep
• Hormone problems, such as premenstrual syndrome or thyroid problems
• Not getting enough exercise or sleep
• Diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or lupus
• Being overweight
• Not eating a healthy diet
• Stress or depression
• Some medicines

Fatigue can also be a symptom of a heart attack, especially in women. New, unexplained fatigue should be checked by your healthcare provider. Call 911 or your local emergency services right away if you have symptoms of a heart attack. The most common symptoms include:

• Chest pain or pressure, squeezing, or fullness in the center of your chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back (may feel like indigestion or heartburn)
• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms or shoulders, or in your back, neck, jaw, or stomach
• Trouble breathing
• Breaking out in a cold sweat for no known reason
• If your provider has prescribed nitroglycerin for angina, pain that does not go away after taking your nitroglycerin as directed

Along with these heart attack symptoms, you may also feel very tired, faint, or sick to your stomach.

Feeling extremely tired or weak for more than 6 months without known cause may be a medical problem called chronic fatigue syndrome.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Thing you may feel may include:

• Feeling weak
• Having low energy
• Feeling uninterested in things you usually enjoy or just not caring about anything
• Not being able to concentrate or remember things
• Feeling tired most of the time and not able to do your usual activities

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history and examine you. Your provider may ask about your daily routine, work habits, environment, medicines, and stress or depression. You may have blood tests or scans to check for diseases that can cause fatigue.

How is it treated?

The treatment depends on the cause. If fatigue is caused by a disease, treating the disease may help the fatigue. If the cause is stress or depression, your healthcare provider may counsel you or refer you to a mental health therapist. If fatigue is the result of not getting enough exercise or being overweight, your provider will suggest ways for you to follow a healthy lifestyle.

How can I take care of myself?

Follow the full course of treatment prescribed by your healthcare provider. In addition:

• Get enough rest and sleep. Do things to help you sleep better. For example, keep a regular bedtime routine. Avoid caffeine, sleeping pills, and smoking. Relax and have some quiet time before going to bed.
• Eat a healthy diet. If you are overweight, begin a weight loss program after checking with your healthcare provider. When you are overweight, it takes more energy to do daily activities. You get tired more easily.
• Work on improving your physical fitness. Exercise regularly according to your healthcare provider's instructions. Exercise can increase your energy, improve your mood, and help you sleep better.
• Plan to do activities during the time of day when you have the most energy.
• Take naps according to your healthcare provider's recommendation. It is OK to lie down and rest for awhile, but too much rest can cause weak muscles and a loss of bone strength. It may also cause you to feel lightheaded when you get up and move around.
• Learn ways to manage stress.

Ask your provider:

• How and when you will get your test results
• If there are activities you should avoid and when you can return to your normal activities
• How to take care of yourself at home
• What symptoms or problems you should watch for and what to do if you have them

Make sure you know when you should come back for a checkup. Keep all appointments for provider visits or tests.

How can I prevent fatigue?

• If you are working longer hours or doing more physical work than usual, allow yourself more time to sleep or rest. Ask for help at home and at work when the load is too great to handle. Take frequent rest breaks during the day to relax or walk.
• Don’t delay or skip meals. Eat regular meals and healthy snacks.
• Limit foods and drinks that are high in sugar, such as soda, candy, or cookies. These foods can cause blood sugar levels to rise very quickly, but your blood sugar will fall just as quickly and make you tired. Eat more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables for longer-lasting energy.
• Drink enough liquids to keep your urine light yellow in color. Not drinking enough liquid can cause weakness, lack of energy, and other problems.
• If you smoke, try to quit. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and other drugs.