Fatigue Cause No : Caffeine Overload
Caffeine can improve alertness and concentration in moderate doses. But too much can increase heart rate, blood pressure, and jitteriness. And research indicates too much actually causes fatigue in some people.
Fix: Gradually cut back on coffee, tea, chocolate, soft drinks, and any medications that contain caffeine. Stopping suddenly can cause caffeine withdrawal and more fatigue.
I Have Muscle Weakness
If you have muscle weakness and visit your doctor, they will first need to know the following:
- How it began and how long you have had it for.
- Whether it is getting worse, getting better or staying the same.
- Whether you are otherwise well, are losing weight or have travelled abroad recently.
- What medicines or other drugs you have been taking and whether there are any muscle problems in your family.
Your doctor will need to examine you to see which muscles are affected and whether you have true or perceived muscle weakness. They will check to see whether your muscles are tender to touch or unusually ‘fatigable’. They may want to watch you walk.
They will then need to test your nerves to see whether the muscles are getting the right signals to act. Your doctor may need to test your central nervous system, including your balance and co-ordination. They may need to perform blood tests to look for abnormalities of hormones, salts and blood cells.
Depending on the results of these tests your doctor may also order the following:
- Nerve studies to make sure the nerves are conducting properly.
- A muscle biopsy to see whether the muscles themselves show signs of inflammation or damage. A biopsy is a procedure where a small sample is taken to look at under the microscope.
- Body scans such as CT or MRI to look for conditions elsewhere in the body which may affect muscle power and function.
Fatigue Joint Aches Muscle Weakness And Stiffness Or Decreased Movement
- Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Reviewed on 7/18/2022
Joint aches are a common symptom of arthritis conditions and certain infections. Muscle weakness and stiffness can accompany various neuromuscular conditions or could be present with other types of illness. These can also be caused by trauma or injury. Seek immediate medical care if you have sustained an injury and have trouble moving. If you are concerned about these symptoms at any time, seek the advice of the health care provider.
While the list below can be considered as a guide to educate yourself about these conditions, this is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a health care provider. There are many other medical conditions that also can be associated with your symptoms and signs. Here are a number of those from MedicineNet:
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Helping People Around You Understand Fatigue
Fatigue is a major symptom of many conditions, such as arthritis often its as much of a problem as pain and inflammation. But its an invisible symptom and a lot of people avoid talking about it because they think their family, friends and colleagues wont understand.
It can be stressful if you think people around you dont understand how youre feeling. Even when you explain, some people may struggle to realise how fatigue affects you and that it stops you doing certain activities. This can be frustrating and tiring and can put a big strain on your relationships. Getting help, support and understanding from the people around you can make a huge difference.
Good communication and explaining clearly and calmly how fatigue affects you is important to help others understand.
Its ok to say that you need help with tasks around the home.
Learning to say you cant do something or go somewhere because of the way it will affect you can help. It may also reassure people that sometimes you just dont feel up to socialising and its no reflection on their company.
If people ask for your help with something, remember its ok to say no. Its ok to put yourself first.
If you find it difficult to talk about your fatigue, you could ask people to read this information.
Increase Your Physical Activity
Adding some gentle exercises to your day can increase the amount of energy you have.
Staying active increases your fitness levels and strengthens your muscles. Weak muscles use more energy, so doing too little can be as damaging as doing too much.
Exercise also increases your circulation and improves the health of vital organs, such as your heart and lungs, which can also give you more energy.
Its important to give yourself time to recover after exercise by taking a break before you move onto your next activity.
When you start exercising
Introducing more physical activity to your day may be tiring at first. Dont overdo it, start your activity slowly, perhaps just add a 510 minute walk or some gentle stretching exercises to begin with.
If youre in pain you can take painkillers before you exercise.
Gradually build up the amount of activity you do. For example, when youre ready, walk for 5 more minutes or add some strengthening exercises to your routine.
Generally, the best way to build up your fitness levels is to do a little exercise as often as you can. Stick with it because as you get fitter youll start to feel better, stronger and more energetic.
You could try using a step counter such as a fitness tracker, a pedometer, or a mobile phone app. When youre ready and depending on how youre feeling, you could try to beat your previous records.
You should aim to exercise every day. But be aware some days will be easier than others.
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Cause Of Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Polymyalgia rheumatica produces inflammation and swelling in the larger joints of the body, such as the shoulders and hips, and in the tissues around these joints. The inflammation is due to the immune system attacking the membranes lining the joint , but the reason for this is unknown. Genetics and environmental factors are believed to play a role.
Here A Breakdown Of Five Of The Most Common Autoimmune Diseases Plus The Signs You Should Look Out For Such As Joint Pain And Nausea
When foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses infect you, your immune system kicks into gear to fight those pathogens. But unfortunately, not everyone’s immune system sticks to just fighting the bad guys. For those with autoimmune disorders, the immune system mistakenly starts attacking its own parts as foreign invaders. As a result, you might start experiencing symptoms that range from joint pain and nausea to body aches and digestive discomfort.
Here, what you need to know about the signs and symptoms of some of the most common autoimmune diseases so you can keep an eye out for these uncomfortable attacks.
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How Can Parents Help
Lupus is a chronic disease, but treatments can help with symptoms and lower the risk of flare-ups. New and better tools to diagnose and treat lupus have improved the lives of those living with the disease.
To help your child manage:
- Go to all doctor visits and follow the care teams instructions.
- Learn what symptoms mean a flare-up may be coming. Calling the doctor right away and starting medicines may stop the flare-up or make it less severe.
- Talk to school staff to help them understand what your child needs.
It also helps to learn all you can about lupus with your child. The care team is a great resource. You also can find information and support online at:
Getting Adequate Rest Can Fight Short
In most cases, chronic fatigue is not substantially improved by rest. Chronic fatigue often makes it more difficult to get adequate rest. Similarly, fatigue can interfere with sleep, resulting in unrefreshing sleep, difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakening, or sleep apnea.
Rest is unlikely to relieve fatigue caused by a medical condition.
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Genetic Conditions Affecting Muscles
Muscular dystrophies: these are inherited diseases which affect muscles. They are rare disorders but the best known and most common is Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This occurs in children and leads to gradual loss of muscle power from toddler-hood.
Some rare muscular dystrophies: these can present in adulthood and include Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome and the facioscapulohumeral dystrophies. They also cause gradual loss of power and function in muscles. Those who have these conditions may become wheelchair-bound.
Sarcoidosis: this is a rare disease in which clumps of cells form in skin, lungs and soft tissues, including muscles. The condition usually goes away after a few years.
Amyloidosis involves deposits of an unhelpful abnormal protein called amyloid throughout the body, including muscles and kidneys.
Other rare causes: direct damage to muscles can occur in rare inherited metabolic conditions. Examples include:
- Glycogen storage diseases .
- Even rarer, mitochondrial diseases which occur when the energy systems inside muscle cells dont work properly.
Myotonic dystrophy: this is a rare genetic muscle disorder in which muscles become extremely tired. Myotonic dystrophies are passed down through families and they tend to occur earlier and become worse as they move through the generations.
Essentials For Older People: Weakness
As people age, the amount of muscle tissue and muscle strength tend to decrease. These changes occur partly because older people may become less active but also because the production of the hormones that stimulate muscle development decreases. Thus, for older people, bed rest during an illness can have a devastating effect. Compared with younger people, older people start out with less muscle tissue and strength at the beginning of the illness and lose muscle tissue more quickly during the illness.
Drugs are another common cause of weakness in older people because older people take more drugs and are more susceptible to side effects of drugs .
When evaluating older people who report weakness, doctors also focus on conditions that do not cause weakness but interfere with balance, coordination, vision, or mobility or that make movement painful . Older people may mistakenly describe the effects of such conditions as weakness.
Regardless of what is causing weakness, physical therapy can usually help older people function better.
The symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica usually develop over a short period of time and may include:
- muscle pain and stiffness, particularly in the neck, shoulders, hips, thighs and upper arms
- increased pain and stiffness after youve been resting or inactive
- difficulty raising arms above shoulder height
Not everyone will experience all of these symptoms. Each person with polymyalgia rheumatica will have their own unique set of symptoms.
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When To See A Doctor
In some cases, home treatment cant be enough to solve the problem of painful joints and muscles. If pain lasts for a week, it is important to see a healthcare provider. You might also want to make an appointment with your doctor in case of fever, vomiting, stiffness in your neck, difficulty swallowing, and inability to move that affects your daily life.
It is also possible to prevent sore muscles by staying hydrated, exercising regularly, and doing warmups before the workout.
In case you notice some symptoms of conditions described above, avoid self-medicating since it might only worsen your condition.
Hosted by the International Pain Foundation www.internationalpain.org
Fatigue Cause No : Anemia
Anemia is one of the leading causes of fatigue in women. Menstrual blood loss can cause an iron deficiency, putting women at risk. Red blood cells are needed because they carry oxygen to your tissues and organs.
Fix: For anemia caused by an iron deficiency, taking iron supplements and eating iron-rich foods, such as lean meat, liver, shellfish, beans, and enriched cereal, can help.
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Food Allergies Food Intolerance And Fatigue
Symptoms: Fatigue, sleepiness, continued exhaustion
Although food is supposed to give you energy, medical research suggests that hidden food intolerances or allergies can do the opposite. In fact, fatigue may be an early warning sign of food intolerance or food allergy. Celiac disease, which happens when you cant digest gluten, may also cause fatigue.
Ask your doctor about the elimination diet. This is a diet in which you cut out certain foods linked to a variety of symptoms, including sleepiness within 10 to 30 minutes of eating them, for a certain period of time to see if that makes a difference. You can also talk to your doctor about a food allergy test or invest in a home test such as ALCAT which may help you identify the offending foods.
Quick Dose: When Should I See A Physician For Muscle Aches And Joint Pains
Most people experience aches and pains at some point, usually caused by tension, stress and overuse. However, if you also have other symptoms, your body could be trying to tell you something.
Muscle aches and joint pain may occur as a result of a change in medication. This is most commonly associated with statins or antibiotics. You may also notice a skin rash or red eyes. Over-the-counter medications can provide some relief of these symptoms.
Muscle pain throughout your entire body may indicate an infection or illness. Other accompanying symptoms, such as inflammation, lack of sleep or a fever may indicate you have the flu.
Generalized muscle pain accompanied by fatigue memory or mood issues significant weight loss or weight gain hives or tingling in the hands, legs or feet may be a sign of fibromyalgia, autoimmune disorders such as lupus or polymyositis, or thyroid problems.
Joint pain can occur if you injure any of the ligaments or tendons surrounding a joint. Joint pain accompanied by fatigue, fever, hair loss, or dry mouth or eyes can be a sign of arthritis, Lyme disease, lupus or gout. If you experience joint pain frequently, you may also notice worsened symptoms during seasonal changes, particularly during cold, wet weather.
Try using self-care measures at home to soothe basic aches and pains: Get plenty of rest, and try ice, a heating pad or a hot bath. If your pain persists or is accompanied by other symptoms, be sure to talk to your physician.
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Can Thyroid Problems Cause Leg Pain
People with hypothyroidism frequently experience muscle weakness, aches, and cramping. There is no general definition of weakness, but it can be felt in muscles near the center of the body, such as the thigh or shoulder.
Weakness can be seen throughout the body in people with hypothyroid myopathy. When there is hypertrophy in an obese person, he or she is likely to have this condition. Muscle spasms, weakness, and pain can occur as a result of this condition. There is no link between high creatineine enzyme levels and muscle pain. In people with hyperthyroid myopathy, there may be weakness in the throat, face, and respiratory muscles. It has been proposed that high thyroid hormone levels may lead to an increased breakdown of muscle protein. Symptoms can usually be reduced by taking the thyroid hormone replacement medication Synthroid .
It is not uncommon for the blood creatinine kinase level to be normal in hyperthyroid myopathy. When thyroid diseases are corrected, both types of myopathy improve. Symptoms can be difficult to resolve quickly. As a result, pain management strategies may be useful in the meantime.
Talk About How Youre Feeling
Fatigue can make you feel low or depressed. Talking about how you feel can really help. Dont keep your feelings to yourself. Try to talk to a member of your healthcare team, members of a support group, your family or friends.
There are things that can help if youre feeling low. Your healthcare team may recommend a talking therapy, such as cognitive behaviour therapy also known as CBT. You can do it as one-to-one or group sessions.
Talking therapies aim to help people change the way they see their condition and any negative feelings towards it. Sessions, led by trained therapists, can help people change the way they react to and feel about their condition by making positive changes to the way they think and behave.
NHS England has a dedicated programme called Improving Access to Psychological Therapies, known as IAPT. It aims to connect people with anxiety and depression to local talking therapy services. You can refer yourself to this service by visiting the NHS England website and searching for IAPT or ask a health professional to refer you.
Health services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland dont currently offer a self-referral service, but you can ask your doctor to refer you to a local NHS therapy service or group.
Joining a support group for people living with similar conditions can help you talk openly about your problems with people in similar situations. They may also be able to share tips on how to get around some of your problems.
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Muscle Aches Extreme Fatigue: Coronavirus Symptoms Go Beyond Fever And Cough
Fever, cough, shortness of breath.
Those are the three symptoms prominently listed on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website under coronavirus symptoms.
But as case counts continue to rise in the United States and across the world, it’s clear that COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, causes a much wider range of symptoms. The more detailed descriptions of the illness that are emerging show how doctors and researchers are still learning about the disease, which was first reported just three months ago, in real time.
COVID-19 can begin in similar ways among patients, regardless of a person’s age or health status.
Very often, extreme fatigue hits first.
Hedy Bauman, 74, was so weak she could barely make it home from a short walk to the store. Reading a few pages of the newspaper was exhausting.
“My bathroom is maybe 15 steps from my bed,” Bauman, of Silver Spring, Maryland, told NBC News. “I wasn’t sure I could get from the bathroom to my bed.” She developed chills, but no fever.
Bauman’s doctor said her symptoms were consistent with what physicians are learning about other coronavirus cases, though they are still waiting for the results from Bauman’s COVID-19 test.
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Brendan McLaughlin, 28, felt lightheaded and weak before the fever, chills and body aches began.
“I’d been healthy,” McLaughlin said. “I try to eat right. I take care of myself.”
