Fatigue: Difference between revisions

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{{SI}}
{{Infobox medical condition
| name            = Fatigue
| image          = [[File:Cfs_woman_sketch.jpg|250px]]
| caption        = Sketch of a woman experiencing fatigue
| field          = [[Internal medicine]]
| symptoms        = [[Tiredness]], [[exhaustion]], [[lack of energy]]
| complications  = [[Depression (mood)|Depression]], [[anxiety]], [[reduced quality of life]]
| onset          = Can be [[acute (medicine)|acute]] or [[chronic (medicine)|chronic]]
| duration        = Varies; can be [[short-term]] or [[long-term]]
| causes          = [[Sleep deprivation]], [[stress (biology)|stress]], [[medical conditions]] such as [[anemia]], [[hypothyroidism]], [[chronic fatigue syndrome]]
| risks          = [[Poor diet]], [[sedentary lifestyle]], [[mental health disorders]]
| diagnosis      = [[Clinical assessment]], [[blood tests]], [[sleep studies]]
| differential    = [[Depression (mood)|Depression]], [[sleep apnea]], [[anemia]], [[hypothyroidism]]
| treatment      = [[Lifestyle changes]], [[cognitive behavioral therapy]], [[medication]]
| medication      = [[Antidepressants]], [[stimulants]]
| frequency      = Common
| deaths          = Rarely directly fatal
}}
== Fatigue ==
== Fatigue ==
 
[[File:Timeframe_of_PEM_from_daily_activities.jpg|left|thumb|Diagram illustrating the timeframe of post-exertional malaise from daily activities.]]
[[File:Timeframe_of_PEM_from_daily_activities.jpg|thumb|right|Diagram illustrating the timeframe of post-exertional malaise from daily activities.]]
 
'''Fatigue''' is a common symptom experienced by individuals across various conditions and is characterized by a persistent feeling of tiredness or exhaustion. It can be both a physical and mental state, affecting a person's ability to perform daily activities effectively.
'''Fatigue''' is a common symptom experienced by individuals across various conditions and is characterized by a persistent feeling of tiredness or exhaustion. It can be both a physical and mental state, affecting a person's ability to perform daily activities effectively.
== Causes of Fatigue ==
== Causes of Fatigue ==
Fatigue can result from numerous factors, including:
Fatigue can result from numerous factors, including:
* [[Sleep disorders]] such as [[insomnia]] or [[sleep apnea]].
* [[Sleep disorders]] such as [[insomnia]] or [[sleep apnea]].
* [[Chronic illnesses]] like [[chronic fatigue syndrome]] (CFS), [[fibromyalgia]], and [[multiple sclerosis]].
* [[Chronic illnesses]] like [[chronic fatigue syndrome]] (CFS), [[fibromyalgia]], and [[multiple sclerosis]].
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* [[Lifestyle factors]] such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and excessive stress.
* [[Lifestyle factors]] such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and excessive stress.
* [[Medications]] that have fatigue as a side effect.
* [[Medications]] that have fatigue as a side effect.
== Symptoms ==
== Symptoms ==
The primary symptom of fatigue is a persistent feeling of tiredness that does not improve with rest. Other symptoms may include:
The primary symptom of fatigue is a persistent feeling of tiredness that does not improve with rest. Other symptoms may include:
* Difficulty concentrating or [[cognitive impairment]].
* Difficulty concentrating or [[cognitive impairment]].
* [[Muscle weakness]] or soreness.
* [[Muscle weakness]] or soreness.
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* [[Dizziness]] or lightheadedness.
* [[Dizziness]] or lightheadedness.
* Irritability or mood changes.
* Irritability or mood changes.
== Diagnosis ==
== Diagnosis ==
Diagnosing fatigue involves a comprehensive evaluation to determine the underlying cause. This may include:
Diagnosing fatigue involves a comprehensive evaluation to determine the underlying cause. This may include:
* A detailed medical history and physical examination.
* A detailed medical history and physical examination.
* [[Blood tests]] to check for [[anemia]], [[thyroid function]], and other potential causes.
* [[Blood tests]] to check for [[anemia]], [[thyroid function]], and other potential causes.
* [[Sleep studies]] to identify sleep disorders.
* [[Sleep studies]] to identify sleep disorders.
* [[Psychological assessments]] to evaluate mental health conditions.
* [[Psychological assessments]] to evaluate mental health conditions.
== Management ==
== Management ==
Managing fatigue typically involves addressing the underlying cause. General strategies include:
Managing fatigue typically involves addressing the underlying cause. General strategies include:
* Improving [[sleep hygiene]] and ensuring adequate rest.
* Improving [[sleep hygiene]] and ensuring adequate rest.
* Engaging in regular [[physical activity]] tailored to the individual's capabilities.
* Engaging in regular [[physical activity]] tailored to the individual's capabilities.
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* Adjusting medications if they contribute to fatigue.
* Adjusting medications if they contribute to fatigue.
* Nutritional support and [[dietary changes]].
* Nutritional support and [[dietary changes]].
 
== See also ==
== Related Pages ==
 
* [[Chronic fatigue syndrome]]
* [[Chronic fatigue syndrome]]
* [[Sleep disorders]]
* [[Sleep disorders]]
* [[Depression]]
* [[Depression]]
* [[Fibromyalgia]]
* [[Fibromyalgia]]
{{Medical symptoms}}
{{Medical symptoms}}
[[Category:Symptoms]]
[[Category:Symptoms]]

Latest revision as of 16:30, 6 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Fatigue
Synonyms N/A
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Tiredness, exhaustion, lack of energy
Complications Depression, anxiety, reduced quality of life
Onset Can be acute or chronic
Duration Varies; can be short-term or long-term
Types N/A
Causes Sleep deprivation, stress, medical conditions such as anemia, hypothyroidism, chronic fatigue syndrome
Risks Poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, mental health disorders
Diagnosis Clinical assessment, blood tests, sleep studies
Differential diagnosis Depression, sleep apnea, anemia, hypothyroidism
Prevention N/A
Treatment Lifestyle changes, cognitive behavioral therapy, medication
Medication Antidepressants, stimulants
Prognosis N/A
Frequency Common
Deaths Rarely directly fatal


Fatigue[edit]

Diagram illustrating the timeframe of post-exertional malaise from daily activities.

Fatigue is a common symptom experienced by individuals across various conditions and is characterized by a persistent feeling of tiredness or exhaustion. It can be both a physical and mental state, affecting a person's ability to perform daily activities effectively.

Causes of Fatigue[edit]

Fatigue can result from numerous factors, including:

Symptoms[edit]

The primary symptom of fatigue is a persistent feeling of tiredness that does not improve with rest. Other symptoms may include:

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosing fatigue involves a comprehensive evaluation to determine the underlying cause. This may include:

Management[edit]

Managing fatigue typically involves addressing the underlying cause. General strategies include:

See also[edit]

Template:Medical symptoms