Fatigue is an overall term used for a feeling of tiredness or lack of energy. However, it is not similar to simply feeling drowsy or sleepy. When a person is fatigued, they are not motivated and have no energy. Being sleepy can be a symptom of fatigue but it certainly is not the same thing.
Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of various medical conditions that might range in severity from mild to serious. It is also the natural result of some lifestyle choices which include lack of exercise or poor diet.
If your fatigue condition does not resolve with proper rest and nutrition, or if you suspect it be the result of some underlying physical or mental health condition, you should visit a doctor. They will be able to help diagnose the root cause of your fatigue and work with you to treat it.
Causes of fatigue
There are several potential causes of fatigue. These can be divided into three general categories which are lifestyle factors, physical health conditions and mental health issues.
• Lifestyle Factors
If you have been experiencing fatigue, the first guess is your activities and other lifestyle choices being the root cause. For instance, fatigue can be a result of physical exertion, lack of sleep, boredom, grief, being overweight or obese, emotional stress, lack of physical activity and many such things.
• Physical health conditions
Many medical conditions can also be the cause of fatigue. These conditions include anemia, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, autoimmune disorders, heart failure, fibromyalgia, usual infections such as cold and flu and many more.
• Mental health issues
Mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and seasonal affective disorder can have fatigue as one of their common symptoms.
Signs it is time to see your doctor
If you are experiencing fatigue and you cannot think of anything to be the cause, are experiencing unexplained weight loss, might be depressed, have higher than normal body temperature, are sensitive to colder temperatures or are having trouble falling or even staying asleep, it is time to visit your doctor.
If you have made efforts to address the change the common lifestyle causes of fatigue such as lack of rest, poor eating habits and stress but have not seen any improvement for a period of two or more, make it a point to visit your doctor.
Many times, the cause of your fatigue can be a serious medical condition that needs treatment. If you experience fatigue with any of the following symptoms, you must find the best fatigue treatment in Westlake immediately.
- Vomiting blood
- Severe headache
- Pain in chest area
- Irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
- Thoughts of harming another person
Author’s Bio: The author is an avid blogger. This article is about fatigue.