Diagnosis of fatigue
Diagnosis of fatigue
Gary R. Pepper, MD
Diabetes and Fatigue
YourTotalHealth.com
individuals troubled by fatigue are advised to seek medical care, especially if fatigue is accompanied by any of the following symptoms:
* Sudden, unexplained weight loss or gain
* Dehydration
* Dizziness or fainting
* Other symptoms that may indicate diabetes, such as excessive hunger (polyphagia), excessive thirst (polydipsia), excessive urination (polyuria), changes in mood or vision, itchy skin (pruritus), slow-healing wounds, or frequent yeast infections or other infections
* Abnormal bleeding
* Breathing difficulties
* Chest pain
* Severe headache
* New masses, lumps or bumps on the body
* Severe pain in the pelvis, abdomen or back
* Signs of severe illness (e.g., fever, nausea, vomiting)
* Similar symptoms in other household members or pets
At present, there are no specific medical tests for diagnosing fatigue. However, the physician will generally review the patient’s medical history and perform a physical examination as well as various tests to eliminate certain medical causes of fatigue, such as diabetes. The tests may include:
* Laboratory tests such as blood tests and urinalysis.
* X-rays. Use low doses of electromagnetic radiation to create images of body parts. X-rays can be used to diagnose a wide range of conditions, from bronchitis to a broken arm.
* Pulmonary function tests (PFT). Record a patient’s capacity to inhale (breathe in) and exhale (breathe out). PFTs measure several aspects of lung function to diagnose lung conditions.
* Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). Evaluates the status of the cardiac system by recording the electrical potential generated by the heart.
* CAT scan (computed axial tomography). Produces cross-sectional x-ray images of any number of body systems, including respiratory, neurological, gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal systems.
* MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Produces cross-sectional images of the body and can “see through” bone and fluid-filled soft tissue.
