Fatigue is a common symptom that many of us experience in day to day life, but this may not be due to underlying disease. Certain factors associated with fatigue are 'normal' - and they are not due to medical problem which include fatigue due to
- Physical exertion
- Emotional stress
- Boredome
- Disturbed sleep
But certain people are more prone to fatigue
Predisposing factors
- Female sex
- Law socioeconomic status
- Physical and mental illness
- Personal habits and life style that increases fatigue
(a) Staying up too late
(b) Excessive caffeine intake
(c) Excessive alcohol intake
(d) Consumption of junk food
Precipitating factors
- Acute physical stresses - Infection with Epstein-Barr virus ( glandular fever).
- Psychological stresses - Bereavement, stress, anxiety and depression.
- Social stresses - Work problems.
- Physiological - Pregnancy, breastfeeding, inadequate rest or sleep, and excessive exercise.
Perpetuating factors
- Physical inactivity
- Emotional disorders
- Ongoing psychological or social stresses
- Disturbed sleep.
Only less than 10% of people presenting with fatigue has an underlying medical condition. There are variety of causes associated with fatigue, so detailed evaluation of individual circumstance by a doctor is important.
Medical conditions associated with fatigue
- General - Anemia, chronic infection, autoimmune disease, cancer
- Endocrine disease - Diabetes, hypothyroidism, hypoadrenalism
- Sleep disorders - Obstructive sleep apnoea and other sleep disorders
- Neurological - Myositis, multiple sclerosis
- Gastrointestinal - Liver disease
- Cardiovascular - Chronic heart disease
- Respiratory - Chronic lung disease
- Obesity
Lack of sleep may be associated with fibromyalgia which present with widespread body pain and fatigue.
Psychiatric diagnoses associated with fatigue.
- Depression
- Anxiety and panic disorder
- Eating disorders
- Substance misuse disorders
- Somatisation disorder
