About Fatigue
About Fatigue
YourTotalHealth.com
Fatigue & Diabetes
- Summary
- About fatigue
- Fatigue and diabetes
- Other potential causes
- Diagnosis of fatigue
- Treatment and prevention
- Questions for your doctor
Reviewed By:
Gary Pepper, M.D., FACP
About fatigue
Fatigue can be defined as a lack of energy or general feeling of tiredness. It is a predominant symptom of many medical conditions, including endocrine disorders such as diabetes and hypothyroidism. It can also be a normal response to factors such as:
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Physical exertion
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Lack of sleep
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Anxiety, depression or stress
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Inactivity or boredom
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Poor eating habits
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Certain medications, such as Hypertension (high blood pressure) contributes to heart and blood vessel complications of diabetes.antihypertensives (drugs used to treat high blood pressure)
Individuals who experience fatigue may report that they feel weak, tired, worn out, exhausted or lethargic. The condition may be associated with a sudden increased need to rest or an inability to regain energy following periods of rest.
Fatigue can impede normal functioning and interfere with an individual’s ability to go to work, concentrate in school, perform household chores, maintain relationships and derive pleasure from favorite activities. In addition, fatigue can:
* Trigger headaches
* Impair memory
*Induce muscle pain
* Cause accidents
The duration of fatigue varies by individual and generally depends on the cause. Fatigue can be acute, with symptoms appearing suddenly and lasting less than a month, or long term (chronic).
Individuals who experience severe, persistent and often debilitating fatigue that exceeds six months in duration may suffer from a condition called chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). This controversial condition affects an estimated 500,000 Americans, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
