Fatigue
What is fatigue?
All of us know what it’s like to feel tired or even exhausted, but fatigue is different to tiredness which can usually be resolved with rest and sleep. Fatigue is a condition where you feel tired or exhausted all the time, even if you are well-rested. Another characteristic of fatigue is having no energy or motivation.
Fatigue is not a normal part of aging and is usually a sign of an underlying condition. Around 1.5 million Australians see their doctor about their fatigue symptoms each year.
Fatigue symptoms
Fatigue can affect you physically, mentally and emotionally. Symptoms may include:
chronic tiredness or daytime sleepiness
low energy
headache or dizziness
blurred vision
hallucinations
tiring easily after you begin an activity
low motivation
loss of appetite
lower immunity (e.g. getting sick more often)
having difficulty concentrating or experiencing memory problems
inability to focus or pay attention
slower reaction times and poor hand-eye coordination
low mood or irritability
increased errors or mistakes
impaired decision-making and judgement
What causes fatigue?
Fatigue can be a result of lifestyle factors, or it may be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. Fatigue can be caused by:
Lifestyle factors
Medical conditions
Emotional reasons
Lifestyle factors
o lack of physical activity
o too much physical activity
o sleep problems, including too much sleep
o poor diet
o drinking too much alcohol
o using illicit drugs
o taking certain medications such as those used for allergies, blood pressure medications, antidepressants, cancer drugs, muscle relaxants, opioids, and seizure medications
Medical conditions
o anaemia
o sleep apnoea or insomnia
o arthritis
o fibromyalgia
o chronic fatigue syndrome
o infections (e.g. cold and flu)
o diabetes
o thyroid problems
o eating disorders
o autoimmune disorders
o hormone disorders
o heart problems
o cancer
o liver disease
o chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
o emphysema
o obesity
Emotional reasons
o stress or burnout
o boredom
o grief
o depression and anxiety
o seasonal affective disorder
o other mental illnesses
How is fatigue diagnosed?
Diagnosing fatigue is not always easy as there can be any number of factors causing the condition. Your doctor may:
Take your medical history and ask about recent events such as surgery, childbirth, starting a new medication or significant events such as stress or bereavement. They will also ask you about your fatigue symptoms.
Do a physical examination to check for signs of any underlying illnesses. They may also ask about your diet, sleep patterns and exercise.
Run several tests including blood and urine tests, x-rays and other imaging tests to check for physical causes that are contributing to your fatigue.
How is fatigue treated?
Treating fatigue involves treating the underlying condition that is contributing to your symptoms. Treatment will depend upon the exact cause of your symptoms.
How to manage fatigue
If you are fatigued there are many things you can do to alleviate your symptoms, alongside the treatment that your doctor has prescribed. These may include:
ensuring you get good quality sleep
eating a well-balanced, nutritional diet
using nutritional supplements if appropriate
avoiding junk food
avoiding caffeine in the afternoon and evening
limiting alcohol
getting regular physical activity
engaging in mindfulness activities such as yoga and meditation
When should you see your doctor?
If you’re experiencing the symptoms of fatigue for more than two weeks and it’s not getting better, even though you are getting plenty of rest, see your doctor. You should also make an appointment with your doctor if you:9
can’t think of anything that may be contributing to your fatigue
have a body temperature that is higher than usual
have unintentionally lost weight
are sensitive to cold temperatures
are experiencing sleep problems
think you have depression
Numerous factors can contribute to your fatigue symptoms, including medication. At MediADVICE, we can help you manage your health with a Medication Review, where one of our Pharmacists will review your medication and discuss which ones may be contributing to your fatigue and how we can best help you manage it. We can also provide advice as to which OTC medications and pharmacy products may be appropriate to help relieve symptoms. We also offer sleep apnoea consultations to help determine whether you have any sleep problems.
Book a Medication Review your nearest MediADVICE today.