The feeling of fatigue and exhaustion, which is frequently experienced in daily life, is one of the most important reasons for people to apply to the hospital. Although fatigue is a temporary symptom that can be relieved by rest in some cases, it may indicate acute or chronic diseases in some cases. Before talking about the causes of fatigue, it is useful to briefly talk about what the definition of fatigue is, which symptoms indicate fatigue, and the symptoms that can be seen together with fatigue. . Fatigue may not always be accompanied by an obvious illness. short-term fatigue; It can occur due to overwork, stress or insufficient sleep. Weakness may also be felt during the healing process of an illness such as a cold or flu. Fatigue may occur even after moderate or vigorous physical activity. It may even be localized to a single muscle in your leg, such as the calf muscle. Fatigue can also be caused by a psychological disorder such as depression. Depression can be defined as a state of feeling bad about oneself. Although occasional periods of sadness and dejection in daily life are considered normal, long-term depression, called chronic depression, can indicate serious emotional or psychological problems. Long-term (chronic) diseases such as multiple sclerosis or hypothyroidism may also cause fatigue. >What is the Symptom of Fatigue?
Fatigue may be accompanied by different symptoms depending on the underlying disease. Fatigue that develops due to different ailments may be different from fatigue due to an emotional or psychological condition. In addition, a sudden weakness can be one of the first harbingers of diseases that require urgent intervention. Some of these conditions can be listed as follows:
- Sudden onset weakness on one side of the body or face,
- The presence of shortness of breath or palpitations in addition to weakness,
- Consciousness loss, severe Weakness felt together with symptoms such as chest pain, back pain or abdominal pain. :
- Abdominal pain or cramps,
- Bloody or pink urine (Hematuria),
- General body aches,
- Fuzzy looking and bad smelly urine,
- Diarrhea,
- Difficulty in urination, pain or burning during urination (Dysuria),
- Fever and chills attacks,
- Flu-like symptoms (Fatigue, fever, sore throat, headache, cough, aches and pains),
- General feeling of sickness,
- Loss of appetite,
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Thirst,
- Anxiety,
- Abnormal changes in mood, personality or behavior,
- Depression,
- Difficulty remembering
- Difficulty thinking, speaking, understanding, writing or reading
- Irritability or mood changes
- Lack of energy,
- Weakness or lethargy,
- Severe fatigue,
- Sleep disturbances.
What Causes Fatigue?
Sudden onset (acute) or long-term (chronic) infections occurring in the body can also cause the person to become physically weak. Other possible causes of weakness are botulism, direct or indirect exposure to chemicals such as pesticides, or food poisoning. In addition, some of the conditions listed below can cause fatigue:
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS; a serious neuromuscular disease that causes muscle weakness and disability.),
- Anemia,
- Cancer treatments,
- Diabetes,
- Exposure to toxic substances or poisons,
- Fibromyalgia (Chronic pain conditions that cause pain, stiffness and tenderness in the body),
- Hypothyroidism,
- Infections (such as Lyme, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS),
- Inadequate nutrition,
- Multiple sclerosis (Brain and Disorder that affects the spinal cord, causing fatigue and other problems),
- Muscle destruction (Rhabdomyolysis),
- Muscular dystrophies (An inherited disorder that causes progressive loss of muscle tissue and muscle weakness.),
- Myasthenia gravis (An autoimmune disorder that causes progressive loss of muscle tissue and muscle weakness.),
- Vitamin deficiencies (Iron, B12, folic acid etc.)
- Polymyositis (Wide inflammation and weakness of muscles),
- Respiratory failure conditions (Asthma, COPD, such as pulmonary edema),
- Arrhythmias (Irregular heartbeats),
- Congestive heart failure,
- Dehydration (Severe and life-threatening if left untreated, loss of body fluids and electrolytes)
To diagnose your condition, your doctor may ask a few questions about your fatigue, including:- Since when have you been feeling weak?
- The weakness you feel is the result of your body's weakness. all over or in one area?
- Do you drink alcohol or use drugs?
- Do you experience any physical pain or discomfort?
- You have other symptoms other than fatigue? Do you?
- What medications are you taking?
- When did you first notice feelings of tiredness or depression?
- Have you consulted any psychologist or psychiatrist?
Complications of Fatigue
Since fatigue can also develop due to serious diseases, not being treated can cause serious complications. Once the underlying cause has been diagnosed, it is important to follow the treatment plan your physician has planned to reduce the risk of complications, including: Some of the complications that can be seen due to fatigue are as follows:
- Difficulty performing daily routine tasks,
- Difficulty sleeping,
- Not being able to work or go to school,
- Loss of mobility
- Progression of symptoms
- Progression of existing infection
- Deepening of anxiety or depression
What is Good for Fatigue?
The body, which is tired during the day, may experience fatigue. In addition to the weakness and fatigue caused by the difficulties experienced in daily life, some diseases can also cause fatigue, as mentioned above. The main cause of fatigue and weakness, especially in young people, is vitamin and mineral deficiencies. spindle. Anemia can also often cause fatigue and weakness. However, disorders in thyroid hormones, drugs used, depression and periodic mood changes are also causes of chronic fatigue. Supplementing the necessary vitamins and minerals regularly, eating a balanced diet and doing regular sports are the most basic methods to cope with the feeling of fatigue. If your tiredness continues to the same degree every day and / or if it has been going on for 2 weeks, it is definitely useful to apply to the nearest health institution. may differ depending on the underlying cause:
- Acute diseases: Sometimes, fatigue may decrease or disappear after the treatment of an acute disease. For example, after a person finishes a course of antibiotics, fatigue from a bacterial infection may subside.
- Chronic medical conditions: Sometimes, fatigue can be caused by a more chronic medical condition. Such cases require long-term treatment.
- Drug side effects: Some people may experience fatigue or weakness as a side effect of a particular drug. The doctor may suggest reducing the dose of the drug or switching to another alternative medicine.
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