When To Call Your Doctor
If your fatigue prevents you from engaging in work or school, social or personal activities, then you should see your doctor, Dr. Patane says.
“When in doubt, it never hurts to speak to your doctor about this. It can be a simple evaluation, and we may be able to say there’s nothing seriously wrong and suggest lifestyle modifications,” he says. “One of the best ways to get better from fatigue is with good sleep hygiene and by slowly increasing daily exercise.”
What Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a complicated disease for doctors to diagnose and even fully understand.
CFS is a chronic condition that makes people feel very tired and weak. They can also have headaches, dizziness, or other physical symptoms. Sometimes they have emotional symptoms too, like anger or sadness.
Different people with CFS can have different symptoms. Many CFS symptoms are similar to those of other health conditions, like mono, Lyme disease, or depression. And the symptoms can vary over time, even in the same person.
This makes treating the illness complicated. No single medicine or treatment can address all the possible symptoms.
CFS is sometimes called myalgic encephalomyelitis . Myalgic means muscle aches. Encephalomyelitis means that there may be inflammation in the brain or spinal cord.
Who Do I Go To For Help
If you are dealing with other urgent symptoms , it may be appropriate to visit an Emergency Department or Urgent Care facility for immediate assistance.
In the absence of urgent symptoms, your physician is your go-to for diagnostic testing to get to the bottom of the problem. You will also want to be referred to a dietitian. Depending on where you live, this may be through your doctor or you may be able to self-refer.
Your dietitian should be able to help pinpoint issues contributing to your loss of appetite or weight loss. And they are a key team member to develop strategies and plans to get your appetite and weight back on track!
Finally, if you are in contact with other health care professionals, dont hesitate to tell them about your weight and appetite concerns too. Health care professionals want to have a clear picture of your overall health, and they should direct you to the professional you need.
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Make Sleep A Priority
Getting enough sleep helps boost a persons energy levels throughout the day. Sleep requirements vary from person to person, but most adults need 79 hours per night. People may be able to improve the quality of their sleep by:
- sticking to a regular sleep schedule
- developing and maintaining a relaxing bedtime routine, which may involve reading or having a hot bath
- ensuring a relaxing sleep environment that is dark, quiet, and cool
- avoiding caffeine and other stimulants close to bedtime
How Is A Pots Diagnosis Made
Problems with the autonomic nervous system can be difficult to diagnose. The standard test for POTS is the tilt table test. During the test, you are secured to a table that tilts from being horizontal to almost a 90-degree angle. The test measures your hearts response to switching from laying down to standing up. Some people with POTS faint during this test, even if they rarely faint standing up.
Although the test seems straightforward, many things can interfere with it. Its important that a POTS specialist oversees it. Its best to work with a doctor who has diagnosed and treated patients with POTS. This could be a cardiologist, a neuromuscular specialist or another doctor.
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Causes Of Weight Loss In People With Cancer
Weight loss often starts with appetite loss. The underlying cancer and treatment-related side effects that may cause appetite loss are:
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Changes in metabolism. Metabolism is the bodys process of breaking down food and turning it into energy.
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Nausea and vomiting
Talk with your health care team about any symptoms you have. Tell them about new symptoms or a change in symptoms.
Eating When You Are Sad
Research has shown that eating releases serotonin, the “Feel Good” hormone. Some people may turn to food when they’re feeling a bit blue or when things aren’t working out as planned.
But food generally only provides a short-term boost. If you have been feeling sad or irritable most days, for a few weeks now, you may have depression. Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling. Try to get back on track with your diet as gaining weight is not the right pathway to a better mood, and can adversely affect your health in other ways, too.
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What Is Excessive Hunger
Hunger and appetite are regulated by complex interactions among our endocrine, digestive, and neurologic systems, each of which sends chemical signals to the brain to tell it when you are hungry and full.
Excessive hunger is characterized by the need for increased food intake above your usual caloric needs. It may be caused by disorders in the systems that regulate appetite and blood sugar or by circumstances such as pregnancy. Excessive hunger can also be attributed to endocrine conditions, such as Graves disease and hyperthyroidism, in which the body produces excess amounts of thyroid hormone, resulting in weight loss, hyperactivity, insomnia, or constant hunger that is unsatisfied by eating.
Hypoglycemia is another cause of hunger and is caused by rapid fluctuations in blood sugar that lead to excessive insulin in the bloodstream. People with diabetes are especially prone to hypoglycemia. Severe cases are known to cause insulin shock and coma, so proper control of blood sugar and insulin levels is essential.
Hunger also has an emotional and mental component. Some people eat more when they are sad, depressed, stressed, or anxious. Certain medications, such as antidepressants, sedatives, and birth control pills, are also associated with increased appetite.
Focus On Stress Management
Stress can lead to digestive issues, sleeping difficulties, and fatigue. Stress may also exacerbate underlying health conditions, such as depression, fibromyalgia, and Crohns disease. The following activities may help a person manage their stress levels:
- regular exercise
Short term appetite changes and tiredness are not usually a cause for concern. These symptoms may occur as a result of a minor illness or be due to a change in the diet or sleep habits.
However, a person should see a doctor if they:
- experience persistent appetite loss or tiredness that does not improve in response to altering the diet or getting better quality sleep
- experience appetite loss or tiredness after starting a new medication
- have an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes, heart disease, or cancer
Children and infants who experience tiredness and appetite loss may have difficulty communicating how they feel. If a child seems weak and overly tired or refuses to eat, a parent or caregiver should take them to see a pediatrician.
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How Can I Prevent Cancer Fatigue
You cant do much to prevent cancer-related fatigue. But these strategies may help minimize the problem:
- Adopt healthy sleep habits: To build better sleep habits, keep phones and TVs out of the bedroom, go to bed at the same time every night and sleep in a dark, quiet room.
- Ask for help: Let family and friends run errands, fix meals or help with housework or child care.
- Cut back on caffeine:Caffeine provides a temporary pick-me-up. But it can also keep you up at night.
- Drink plenty of fluids: Its important to stay hydrated and eat nutritious foods.
- Set priorities: Be realistic about what you can do. Save your energy for the things that matter most.
- Stay physically active: Go for a walk or try yoga or tai chi. Dont exercise too late in the evening. The activity may make it harder to fall asleep.
- Take 30-minute rest breaks: During the day, dont sleep longer than 30 minutes or you could have trouble falling asleep at night. Rest breaks can help if you have an upcoming event that requires a lot of energy.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
A chronic illness like cancer can bring many unwanted challenges. Cancer fatigue is one of them. It makes sense that fighting off cancer can tire out your body. Cancer treatments can also be physically and mentally exhausting. Still, you shouldnt hesitate to let your healthcare provider know how cancer fatigue is affecting your life. You can take steps to bring more energy back into your days.
References
What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Someone with chronic fatigue syndrome can have many possible symptoms. The most common ones include:
- severe fatigue, which can make it hard to get out of bed and do normal daily activities
- sleep problems, such as trouble falling or staying asleep, or not having a refreshing sleep
- symptoms getting worse after physical or mental effort
- symptoms or dizziness that get worse after standing up or sitting upright from a lying down position
- problems with concentration and memory
- headaches and stomachaches
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How Do You Treat Fatigue And Loss Of Appetite
Your doctor will prescribe treatments and therapies depending on your underlying condition. Pain relief may help ease the symptoms. If medication is the cause of your fatigue and loss of appetite, your doctor may adjust your dosage or swap the medication.
Treating fatigue may include learning how to increase energy in your daily life. This can mean:
- getting more exercise
- creating a schedule for activity and rest
- learning about self-care
Treating loss of appetite may include formulating a flexible meal schedule and incorporating favorite foods into meals. Studies also show that enhancing the taste and smell of foods can increase appetite in older adults. They found that adding sauces and seasonings resulted in a 10 percent increase in calorie consumption.
Other methods used to treat fatigue or loss of appetite include:
- appetite stimulants like Marinol
- low-dose corticosteroids to increase appetite
- sleeping pills to help you sleep better at night
- physical therapy to slowly increase exercise
- antidepressants or antianxiety medications, for depression or anxiety
- anti-nausea medications like Zofran for nausea caused by medical treatments
Counseling or participating in a support group may also help reduce depression and anxiety-related causes of fatigue and loss of appetite.
Recognising The Symptoms Of Polyphagia
The main sign of polyphagia is excessive hunger that doesnt go away by simply eating more food or eating more regularly than normal.
If you are worried by your sudden increase in appetite, you should consult your doctor. They will examine you to check whether your hunger is a symptom of diabetes or another medical condition.
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Maintaining A Healthy Weight In Menopause
When it comes to weight, it’s a jungle out there. Lots of folks want you to believe they have the answer, so be sure to do your research and talk to your doc before making radical changes or introducing new supplements or “diet aids” to your daily routine.
As our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Rebecca, says, “Research into all of these hormones and neurotransmitters is still at the basic and translation science stage. We donât know what it means clinically, so while it may be nice to understand to an extent how they may impact menopause and the experience of menopause, no practitioner can alter or ‘treat’ these things. If someone is selling you something to do that, they are selling snake oil â the science is, unfortunately, still years away. The only take away is to reduce your stress as best you can “
Whatever the role hormones have to play in appetite, one thing thatâs quite common is the difficulty of losing weight once gained in menopause.
That may be because of our slowed metabolism, it may be due to menopausal fatigue, stress, the effects of night sweats and restless leg syndrome on our ability to get a decent nightâs sleep.
All of which is to say: Be aware that maintaining a healthy weight in midlife may require different strategies and be patient with yourself.
Hormones Menopause And Hunger: Why Am I Suddenly Ravenous
Itâs barely an hour past lunch, and youâre hungry. Again. These days it feels like you could eat everything in your refrigerator at one go without even coming up for air.
What is going on? Why do you suddenly have the appetite of a high school track star?
First of all, thereâs nothing wrong with eating. No one should feel ashamed or embarrassed about their appetite.
But if youâre concerned your appetite, nutrition and hormones may be impacting your health, it may be useful to understand why appetite can ramp up in menopause â and how you can stay within healthy limits.
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Is Pots More Common In Certain People
There are no established risk factors for POTS. However, it is known to run in families, so it could have a genetic component. Researchers have also established a link between POTS and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome . So if you have one of these conditions, you might also have the other.
A big group of those diagnosed with POTS is young women and teens. However, this doesnt mean they are more likely to develop this condition.
Increased Appetite In Seniors: Is It A Cause For Concern
In senior years, a slight loss in appetite is normal. This happens for many reasons and may not be a cause for concern. Sometimes an elderly person may experience an increase in appetite associated with frequent hunger pangs even almost immediately after eating, resulting in weight gain. We at Extra Hand In-Home Care believe that although this may not be a cause for concern, it must be investigated because this can be a sign of some conditions.
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Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome is a group of symptoms that occur when your blood doesn’t circulate properly, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Doctors don’t totally understand the condition or why it happens, but they know that when a person with POTS stands upright, more blood collects in their lower body, causing the heart to beat faster to pump blood up to the brain.
Some people with POTS describe it as having sudden fatigue attacks, while others say it’s like having waves of sudden extreme fatigue and nausea or extreme fatigue “out of nowhere.” It can present differently depending on the person, but other symptoms might include:
- Feeling lightheaded or dizzy when standing, or fainting
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle cramps or muscle pain
POTS tends to run in families, and there’s a link between POTS and having highly mobile joints , per Johns Hopkins Medicine. If you think you have it, see your doctor, who can run a test and make a diagnosis.
Is It Possible That I Have Pots And Was Incorrectly Diagnosed
This is entirely possible. Given how common POTS symptoms are and how unfamiliar many doctors are with this condition, diagnostic mishaps happen. POTS is frequently misidentified as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, anxiety disorder, ADHD, irritable bowel syndrome, myositis, etc. It is also possible that you have both POTS and one of these conditions, which may complicate the diagnosis. Sometimes people with POTS are told that its all in your head, implying that the cause of their symptoms is psychological. If you feel like something is physically wrong, dont hesitate to seek a second, and even a third or fourth opinion.
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How Can I Stimulate My Salivary Glands Naturally
Chewing and sucking help stimulate saliva flow. Try: Ice cubes or sugar-free ice pops. Sugar-free hard candy or sugarless gum that contains xylitol.These products may also help:
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How Is Cancer Fatigue Managed Or Treated
The first step in treating fatigue is knowing the problem exists. Many people don’t bother to mention fatigue to their doctors because they believe it is normal. It’s vital that you discuss this and all symptoms or side effects with your healthcare provider. Then, efforts can be directed at determining the cause of the problem and prescribing appropriate treatment. Your particular cancer treatment regimen, with its known side effects, may provide clues for your doctor or health care professional. A simple blood test, for example, can determine if you are anemic.
There is no single medication available to treat fatigue. However, there are medications available that can treat some of the underlying causes.
When youre struggling, you may want to see a palliative care specialist. These experts help people with cancer manage symptoms like pain, nausea and depression.
Your provider or palliative care team may recommend these actions to ease fatigue:
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Possible Reasons Why Youre Experiencing An Increased Appetite
Medically reviewed by Rosanna Sutherby, PharmD on February 18, 2020. Written by Libby Pellegrini To give you technically accurate, evidence-based information, content published on the Everlywell blog is reviewed by credentialed professionals with expertise in medical and bioscience fields.
Your appetite, or desire for food, drives your nutritional intakeâand is important for your bodyâs well-being. But you may have been wondering recently, âWhy has my appetite increased?”
There are many possible reasons why someone might experience an increased appetite. Understanding the potential causes can help inform you as you discuss this with your healthcare providerâso read on to learn 10 reasons why you may have an increased appetite.
When Hunger Is Due To Exercise But You Exercise To Lose Weight
The formula for weight loss sounds easy: Exercise + Diet = Pounds Off.
Sounds easy…but is never that easy. The trouble is, exercise tends to make us hungry, as our bodies start to crave the energy we have used up.
Experts believe that more frequent exercising eventually resets your hunger signals. In the meantime, avoid snacking after exercise “…because you deserve it!” Bear in mind that even an intense workout lasting 45 minutes burns less than 100 extra calories, so don’t undo all that hard work with one candy bar.
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