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Fatigue
Fatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy that does not go away when you rest. People may feel fatigued in body or mind (physical fatigue or psychological fatigue). With physical fatigue, your muscles cannot do things as easily as they used to. You might notice this when you climb stairs or carry bags of groceries. With psychological fatigue, it may be difficult to concentrate for as long as you used to. In severe cases, you might not feel like getting out of bed in the morning and doing your regular daily activities. So what's making you so tired all the time? Most of the time, fatigue can be traced to one or more of your habits or routines. Fatigue can be a normal and important response to physical exertion, poor eating habits, emotional stress, boredom, or lack of sleep. In some cases, however, fatigue is a symptom of an underlying medical problem that requires medical treatment. When fatigue is not relieved by enough sleep, good nutrition, or a low-stress environment, it should be evaluated by your doctor.
Symptoms
Fatigue can cause a vast range of other physical, mental and emotional symptoms including: Chronic tiredness or sleepiness Headache Dizziness Sore or aching muscles Muscle weakness Slowed reflexes and responses Impaired decision-making and judgement Moodiness, such as irritability Impaired hand-to-eye coordination Appetite loss Reduced immune system function Blurry vision Short-term memory problems Poor concentration Hallucinations Reduced ability to pay attention to the situation at hand Low motivation.
A range of causes
The wide range of causes that can trigger fatigue include: Medical causes unrelenting exhaustion may be a sign of an underlying illness, such as a thyroid disorder, heart disease or diabetes. Lifestyle-related causes feelings of fatigue often have an obvious cause, such as sleep deprivation, overwork or unhealthy habits. Emotional concerns and stress fatigue is a common symptom of mental health problems, such as depression and grief, and may be accompanied by other signs and symptoms, including irritability and lack of motivation. Fatigue can also be caused by a number of factors working in combination.
Medical causes
Many diseases and disorders can trigger fatigue, including: The flu Glandular fever Anaemia Sleep disorders, such as sleep apnoea or restless leg syndrome CFS/ME (formerly known as chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalopathy) Hypothyroidism Hepatitis Tuberculosis Chronic pain Coeliac disease Addisons disease Parkinsons disease Heart problems HIV Cancer Certain medications.
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Fatigue_explained?open
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Psychological causes
Studies suggest that psychological factors are present in at least 50 per cent of fatigue cases. These may include: Depression this illness is characterised by severe and prolonged feelings of sadness, dejection and hopelessness. People who are depressed commonly experience chronic tiredness. Anxiety and stress a person who is chronically anxious or stressed keeps their body in overdrive. The constant flooding of adrenaline exhausts the body, and fatigue sets in. Grief losing a loved one causes a wide range of emotions including shock, guilt, depression, despair and loneliness.
Things to remember
Fatigue can be caused by a number of factors working in combination, such as medical conditions, unhealthy lifestyle choices, workplace problems and stress. Fatigue is a known risk factor in motor vehicle and workplace accidents. Always see your doctor for diagnosis if you are suffering from chronic tiredness.
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:
Physical Activity Australia (formerly Kinect Australia)
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