What Causes Chronic Fatigue And Weakness

When Is Fatigue Considered Extreme

There is no good criteria for assessing the level of fatigue it depends on the person. However, most people know when their tiredness is more than a lack of sleep. Some of my patients remember the exact day they got hit with fatigue so overwhelming that they knew something was wrong.

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome

POTS is a common condition affecting an estimated one to three million Americans. Researchers dont fully understand the causes of POTS, but it is more common in women than men and is more likely to develop in adolescents and young adults.

Myth: Cool Air Can Keep You Awake

Blasting your AC or opening the window may keep you cool, but this does little to counteract drowsiness. Think of how well people sleep on cold winter nights. In fact, keeping your room cool is a commonly given tip for getting better sleep. Playing loud music is also useless in fighting driver fatigue.

The Weird And Wonderful Symptoms Associated With Ibs

People with IBS often suffer from additional symptoms outside of their digestive tract. Doctors call these extra-intestinal symptoms. These symptoms are sometimes linked to the digestive tract. But at other times they can affect other parts of the body that seem to have nothing in common with the gut.

Those strange, seemingly unexplainable symptoms you have could actually be related to IBS!

The GI-related symptoms of IBS include:

• Abdominal pain and/or cramping

• Anxiety
• Irritability

If youve already tried to get conventional treatment for IBS, you know how frustrating this can be. It only becomes more challenging when your IBS causes fatigue, headaches, or anxiety. Thats because medical professionals often dismiss these symptoms as they dont realize they are related.

And unfortunately that includes fatigue. Even though IBS and fatigue usually go hand in hand. Ill show you why IBS makes you tired in the next section!

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When To Get Help For Your Fatigue

There are other issues that could be causing or contributing to your fatigue, such as thyroid problems, autoimmune disorders like arthritis or chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, or heart conditions. If fatigue is extreme, a recent onset, or generally disrupting your day-to-day life, check with a doctor to identify and treat all the factors.

What Happens After Surgery

Nothing, really.

Good surgeons are able to leave healthy parathyroid glands intact. It is helpful to get enough calcium after surgery so that they do not have to work too hard.

Once the first few weeks have passed, the remaining glands pick up the slack for those that were lost and the calcium balance is normal again.

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Nerve Conditions Which Damage Muscles

Conditions affecting nerves tend to lead to true muscle weakness. This is because if the nerve to a muscle fibre stops working, the muscle fibre can’t work either and it will become floppy and eventually shrivel.

Neurological conditions: muscle weakness can be caused by cerebrovascular disease such as stroke and brain haemorrhage and spinal injury. Tumours in the brain can also lead to muscle weakness. Muscles which become partially or completely paralysed lose their normal strength and will eventually waste. Some recovery is possible but it will be slow and may not be complete.

Spine-related conditions: when nerves are damaged as they emerge from the spine , weakness can result. When the discs slip out, they press on nerves headed lower down in the body. The weakness affects only the muscles served by the irritated or compressed nerve.

Other uncommon nerve conditions:Multiple sclerosis : this is caused by damage to nerves in the brain and spinal cord and can cause sudden paralysis. This can recover partially but does not always do so.

: this is a post-viral paralysing disease which causes weakness and loss of muscle function from the fingers and toes upwards. It may last many months, although complete recovery is usual.

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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What Is The Treatment For Fatigue

The treatment for fatigue depends upon the cause. Some treatments for conditions that cause fatigue include medications, antibiotics, vitamins, and exercise. Medical treatment of fatigue depends on the treatment of its underlying cause. Fortunately, many causes of fatigue may be treated with medications, for example, iron supplements for anemia, medications and machines to help sleep apnea, medications to control blood sugar, medications to regulate thyroid function, antibiotics to treat infection, vitamins, and/or recommendations for dietary changes and a sensible exercise program. Again, treatment of the underlying cause is the key to treatment of the symptom of fatigue.

When Should I See A Doctor For Fatigue

If you’ve been tired for several weeks with no relief, it may be time to call your healthcare provider. He or she will ask questions about your sleep, daily activities, appetite, and exercise and will likely give you a physical exam and order lab tests.

Your treatment will be based on your history and the results of your exam and lab tests. Your doctor may prescribe medications to target underlying health problems, such as anemia or irregular thyroid activity. He or she may suggest that you eat a well-balanced diet and begin an exercise program.

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Heart Disease And Fatigue

Symptoms: Fatigue from an activity that should be easy

If youre exhausted after an activity that used to be easy — for example, walking up the steps — it may be time to talk to your doctor about the possibility of heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women. If your fatigue is related to your heart, medication or treatments can usually help correct the problem, cut the fatigue, and restore your energy.

Mix Up Your Caffeine Source

Coffee has its health benefits, including anti-inflammatory antioxidants and maybe even a connection to longer life spans. However, coffee can also boost levels of epinephrine and cortisol, two chemicals involved in the bodys stress response. Drinking lots of coffee leads to increased alertness and heart rate that feels energizing for a few hours but might have you feeling drained later that day.

Some of us are fast caffeine metabolizers and clear caffeine much faster, while slow metabolizers take longer to clear it from their body. Genetic tests like 23andMe can tell you which group you fall into. People with normal sensitivity to caffeine can usually have 200-400 mg of caffeine daily without any adverse reactions so long as they consume it early enough in the day.

Given the potential connection between stress and fatigue, avoiding the stress response that coffee brings might help with both symptoms. If you want to stick with coffee, try staying below 1 or 2 cups and consuming them before 12pm to ensure the caffeine doesnt interfere with sleep. Alternatively, hot tea can offer the same antioxidants and satisfying sipping ritual but with less stress-inducing caffeine.

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Find Things That Boost Your Energy

One thing thatâs very evident at menopause is that we all have different experiences, see what appeals to you and you only. Some women love art and colouring and find them relaxing others would rather de-clutter a drawer or go dancing. Take a moment and think about what boosts your energy and fills your cup. Maybe try something new â consider taking up mindfulness, Feldenkrais or yoga? These practices can help rest the mind, lower heart rate and blood pressure, and produce feelings of deep relaxation which can be drawn on during busy or stressful times. Donât overstretch yourself with commitments and people or situations that drain your energy. You may need to learn to say No! more often. Seek out the âjuicersâ not âdrainersâ.

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Sleep Apnea And Snoring

âSnoring, the most common sign of obstructive sleep apnea , is reported in up to 94% of patients with OSA,â Aniko Dunn, PsyD, a psychologist at EZCare Clinic in San Francisco, tells WebMD Connect to Care.

Snoring is when you make hoarse or sharp breathing sounds while sleeping. It happens when the air youâre inhaling causes the tissues in the back of your throat to vibrate. Almost everyone snores occasionally, and in some cases, it can be related to OSA.

âSnoring and obstructive sleep apnea are related in that they both occur when the airway at the back of the throat collapses during sleep,â Adam Sorscher, MD, sleep health director at Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital in Lebanon, N.H., tells WebMD Connect to Care.

âIf the airway collapses a little but a person is still able to breathe effectively, then we call it snoring. If the airway collapses entirely or almost entirely such that a person could not draw sufficient oxygen and blow off carbon dioxide, we call that an apneic event,â Sorscher explains.

According to Mayo Clinic, although snoring is the most common symptom of sleep apnea, some snoring is unrelated to sleep apnea. However, if you snore and you also have any of the following symptoms, it may indicate sleep apnea:

• Noticeable breathing pauses during sleep
• Gasping or choking sounds at night
• Daytime drowsiness or lethargy

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Is Ibs Even A Real Condition

IBS is a common chronic GI disorder that involves problems with how fast/slow contents move through your intestines and how your brain interprets sensations in the bowel.

More than a tenth of the worlds population is affected by IBS. Thats 836 million people! Yet only a third of those people will seek medical help.

IBS can occur in any age group, though it is most common in people between the ages of 20- and 50-years-old. It is also a disease primarily reported in the first world, making it likely that there is a connection to the modern, industrialized diet, as well as the higher stress levels found in modern-day careers.

In all likelihood your hunter-gatherer ancestors did not suffer from IBS. The diet of your ancestors did not include chocolate bars, microwave dinners, or takeout. While I cant say for sure that modern convenience foods cause IBS, they certainly dont help. And they may very well be contributing.

Just like chronic fatigue, irritable bowel is a syndrome, not a disease. That means it is a collection of symptoms. There is no specific cause of IBS. Unfortunately this means that without a cause it is difficult to manage syndromes like CFS and IBS in conventional health care.

When you dont know the cause, finding a solution becomes challenging. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to better manage both your IBS and your fatigue.

Treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Although there is no cure for chronic fatigue syndrome there are a number of ways to help manage your symptoms.

Because of the complexity of the illness, its changing nature and the number of possible symptoms, different things work for different people. Your GP may be able to support you through managing your individual symptoms. They may be able to refer you to a specialist service or to a service that will help you to manage individual symptoms but this depends on the services available in your area.

To decide what treatment is right for you, you should look at the evidence, including published research and patient surveys, and make sure you fully understand what the treatment involve, before you make a decision. You have the right to decline any treatment option you do not feel comfortable with.

Your GP may suggest some of the following treatment options.

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Treating Dizziness And Balance Problems

It’s possible that your ME/CFS treatment regimen will help alleviate dizziness and balance problems. If not, you may want to talk to your healthcare provider about treatments focused on this specific symptom.

One small study has looked at the feasibility of home orthostatic training in ME/CFS and suggested that it was well tolerated and may be effective. Training included regular use of a tilt table and appeared to reduce the amount of blood pressure drop with changing position.

Another study looked at *exercise training aimed at improving strength and balance without aggravating further symptoms. Only 61% of participants were able to complete the study. However, those who did complete it developed better balance and strength.

*Before you begin any kind of exercise regimen, make sure you check with your healthcare provider and that you understand a hallmark symptom of ME/CFS called post-exertional malaise. This symptom can cause a sharp and sometimes lasting increase in symptoms following even mild or moderate exercise. Any exercise program you take part in should be tailored to your individual tolerance for exertion.

Exercise Can Help Counter The Effects Of Fatigue

Exercise can often help relieve the effects of fatigue, especially more short-lived, acute forms of fatigue. Remaining physically active is important for patients with CFS, however, the approach to exercise must be individualized since exercise can cause the symptoms to become worse for some people. Other things that may help: better hydration, better diet, relaxation, and, of course, more rest and better sleep.

Caffeine and other stimulants may help fight fatigue in the short term, but longer-term, they may actually contribute to the problem.

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Fuel Yourself With The Right Stuff

Carbohydrates, protein, and fats are the three main macronutrients â and each plays a role in keeping us energized. Carbs provide quick energy to help you feel better right away, whereas protein and fats digest more slowly for sustainable energy until your next meal. Combining all three macronutrients sets you up for the best of both worlds.

Balanced bites to try:

• A pear with a side of pistachios

• A hearty slice of toast with mashed avocado and white beans

• Sliced apple wrapped in prosciutto

• A sprinkle of breakfast cereal on top of yogurt

A quick walk in the morning or evening will boost your energy level. A great playlist or audio book are useful tools to keep you moving.

How Can My Doctor Manage Fatigue

To find out what is causing your fatigue, your healthcare provider will ask questions about your lifestyle and medications and will conduct a physical examination. They might order some lab tests to test blood and urine. If you are a woman of child-bearing age, your provider will probably order a pregnancy test.

To relieve fatigue, your provider will treat the condition or disorder thatâs causing it. Depending on your health, your treatment plan may include a combination of medication, exercise, or therapy. If youâre taking a medication that makes you feel exhausted, talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of stopping the medication or trying another one.

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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.

What Medical Conditions Cause Fatigue

Hundreds of conditions and disorders lead to fatigue. Some of the most common causes of fatigue include:

• Disease and infection: Cancer, kidney disease and multiple sclerosis are just a few diseases that cause fatigue. Fatigue can also be a sign of infections such as mononucleosis, HIV and flu.
• Mental health conditions: Fatigue from depression or anxiety may make it difficult or impossible to perform daily activities.
• Autoimmune disorders: Fatigue is a symptom of many autoimmune diseases, including diabetes, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Hormonal imbalances: Problems with your endocrine system can lead to exhaustion. Hypothyroidism is a common cause of fatigue.
• Chronic conditions:Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia cause severe, long-lasting fatigue.
• Heart and lung problems: Fatigue is a common symptom of cardiovascular conditions such as heart disease, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome , chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , emphysema and congestive heart failure.
• Deficiencies:Anemia and other vitamin deficiencies are often responsible for fatigue. Dehydration can cause fatigue because the body needs plenty of fluids to function.
• Weight problems and eating disorders:Anorexia, bulimia, obesity or being underweight can lead to fatigue and a range of other symptoms.

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