Which Doctor To Consult For Fatigue

Fatigue And Sleep Deprivation

Find out about the BMA Fatigue and Facilities charter, the impact of fatigue on doctors and patients, and the factors increasing the risk of fatigue. You can also read guidance aimed at doctors and other clinical staff on how to manage the risks associated with fatigue.

Being a doctor typically involves high-intensity, time-pressured working patterns. These can lead to sleep deprivation and fatigue, effecting doctors’ health, well-being and performance, their safety and that of their patients.

Get Help From An Experienced Chicago Medical Malpractice Attorney

The attorneys of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. have a long record of obtaining results for clients in cases involving serious injury caused by medical malpractice. We know how to investigate cases involving suspected doctor fatigue and how to pursue the answers and compensation that victims and their families deserve. To schedule a free and confidential consultation through our state-of-the-art offices in Chicago and Waukegan, call or reach us online today.

Why Its Important To See A Doctor About Constant Fatigue

Sure, many health conditions can lead to overwhelming fatigue, but so can being super overwhelmed by work for months or going through a period of grief that screws with your sleep.

However, if this exhaustion comes out of nowhere or doesnt get better when you take the time to relax and catch up on sleep, especially if it lasts for at least six months, thats when you should consider seeing your primary care doctor. Whether its an undiagnosed condition or the result of lifestyle factors that need an overhaul, they can help you get to the bottom of it or refer you to a specialist if needed. If its interfering with you getting your usual activities done, its a day-in and day-out problem, and you dont feel restored after a good nights sleep, thats a problem, Dr. Kane says.

Youll also want to seek help ASAP if sudden fatigue develops alongside these symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic:

• feeling like you might pass out
• severe abdominal, pelvic, or back pain
• thoughts of harming yourself or someone else
• abnormal bleeding, including bleeding from your rectum or vomiting blood
• severe headache

Read Also: How To Handle Compassion Fatigue

Psychological Causes Of Tiredness

Psychological tiredness is much more common than tiredness caused by a physical problem. Both anxiety and depression can make you feel very tired. Eating disorders can make you feel tired, particularly if you are underweight or overweight. Any cause of a sleep problem will also cause tiredness during the day.

Stress is a common cause of tiredness, either because it interferes with sleep, or because of the effect of having a worry on your mind all the time.

Other possible causes include:

A Complex And Poorly Understood Illness

Gary Solomon, MD, was performing a routine facelift in 2012 when his career-ending event occurred. “For about 10-15 seconds, I kind of spaced out and got lost. No one noticed. I came back to normal, finished the surgery, and quit that day. I realized that I was dangerous and couldn’t work anymore.”

Solomon, who was then chief of surgery and director of the Wound Healing Center at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center in California, had been ill on and off for about a decade. It all started in 2002, when he developed brachial plexus neuritis that presented with sudden acute shoulder pain and weakness in the upper extremities.

The viral infection resolved in a few months, but he then began experiencing other distressing symptoms: a severe upper respiratory infection that persisted for months, paresthesias, dizziness, gastrointestinal symptoms, and brain fog. He took some time off, but when he returned, he could often only work half-days or needed long breaks to lie down. “It seemed like all my body functions were failing me,” says Solomon.

Research on his symptoms pointed him to a complex and poorly understood illness called “chronic fatigue syndrome,” now known as “myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome” . But his neurologist didn’t buy it. “He told me, ‘We don’t believe in this disease.’ I thought that was weird, because I’m a pretty straight shooter, and he was somehow implying that I was crazy.”

Other Patient Stories

Read Also: Blood Tests For Fatigue And Weight Gain

How Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Is Treated

• The Many Faces of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

There is no standard treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome, clinically known as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome . However, there are many options for managing symptoms and improving quality of life, including lifestyle changes, stress management, therapy, and medications. With the help of your healthcare provider and other caregivers, these can be tailored to your specific symptoms.

Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin

Home Remedies And Lifestyle

Making lifestyle changes may greatly impact how you feel, and the specific changes you need can depend on the severity of your illness and whether certain activities exacerbate your symptoms. While some people may see the tremendous benefit just from making changes to the way they eat, for example, others may find that more sweeping changessuch as a job changemay be necessary.

3. Acupuncture.

4. What Is The Most Common Cause Of Chronic Fatigue?

The most common cause of chronic fatigue is psychological stress something that affects all of us if you think about it. So, if you have been under a lot of stress recently, then you need to check whether you are always exhausted and whether this has anything to do with chronic fatigue syndrome or not!

Don’t Miss: What Supplement Helps With Fatigue

Is A Tired Doctor A Good Doctor

We all know what its like to feel tired after a long day or after an especially hard workout. Doctors, like everyone else, experience these same feelings. This doesnt mean that they are no longer good doctors. However, fatigue can rise to a level where it becomes dangerous. According to the NCBI, a person can be considered to be fatigued if he or she is unable or unwilling to continue effective performance and which is usually the result of:

• The deterioration of cognitive function
• Impaired thought processes and learning

• Memory defaults
• Interpersonal dysfunction.

Although it has a number of different causes, fatigue is most often the result of an excessive workload, sleep loss, and stress. It is especially dangerous when a doctor suffers from fatigue. For instance, fatigued doctors are much more likely to:

• Misdiagnose a patient

• Make mistakes on medical charts
• Fail to order appropriate tests.

These mistakes, in turn, can cause patients to suffer severe physical, mental, and financial harm.

Focus On What You Can Control

Even if were in a world right now where it seems like everything is just lost and turned upside down, pick one or two things that you have control of, said Dr. Lambert. For me, personally, thats been my fitness. My wife and I made a little gym in our kitchen and that was our workout space.

We would put it on our calendars, and we knew despite our schedules there was a half-hour block that we could control, he added. Its about having hope and then also saying: OK, the decisions Im making now are going to make me more resilient and stronger for when this pandemic is over.

Recommended Reading: Signs Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

How Is Cfs Treated

Theres currently no specific cure for CFS.

Each person has different symptoms and therefore may require different types of treatment to manage the disorder and relieve their symptoms.

Work with your team of healthcare providers to create the best treatment plan for you. They can go over the possible benefits and side effects of the therapies with you.

You May Like: How To Overcome Compassion Fatigue

Identify Treatments Youve Tried

In addition to tracking the symptoms you have experienced, keep a list of treatments you have tried. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides a medications and supplements list you can use to track your medications, their dosage, how well they help, and if you experienced side effects. Write a separate list of other treatments you have tried beyond medications and supplements, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, exercise, acupuncture, or meditation.

Recommended Reading: Fatigue After Stroke Recovery Time

Recommended Reading: Is It Fatigue Or Depression

Fast Facts On Fatigue And Tiredness:

• Fatigue is also known as tiredness, reduced energy, physical or mental exhaustion, or lack of motivation.
• Causes of fatigue can be psychological, physiological, and physical.
• To diagnose the reasons for fatigue, a doctor will ask questions and take a sleep history, and may perform a physical examination and blood and urine tests.
• Treatment is focused on the underlying cause of tiredness.

lists the following lifestyle habits that can lead to tiredness and fatigue:

• staying up too late
• drinking too much alcohol
• eating junk food

Some people are more likely than others to suffer from fatigue. For instance, women more often report fatigue. People who live in poverty and those with mental or physical illness are also more likely to present with fatigue.

What Are The Best Ways To Improve Diabetes Control

There is no single answer to this question, as the best way to improve diabetes control depends on individual circumstances and needs. However, some tips that may be useful include:

• Regularly monitoring blood sugar levels and making appropriate adjustments to dietary and lifestyle habits, as needed.
• Taking insulin or other blood sugar-lowering medications as prescribed by a doctor.
• Exercising regularly to help reduce obesity and promote

Don’t Miss: Which Vitamins Help With Fatigue

How Do I Know If Im At Risk

While there is no explanation as to why a particular person may experience chronic fatigue syndrome, there are several factors that play an important role in influencing someones likelihood of being diagnosed with CFS. These risk factors include:

• Age: Most individuals with CFS will receive an official diagnosis when they are between 40 and 50 years old.
• Gender: Women are diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome two to four times more often than men.
• Genetics: It is commonly accepted that certain individuals are born with a predisposition to CFS.
• Stress levels: Inability to effectively manage stress can contribute to the development of CFS.
• Prior health concerns: While there is no clear link, evidence suggests that individuals who suffer from a compromised immune system, abnormal hormone levels, human herpes virus 6, Epstein-Barr virus, or mouse leukemia viruses may be more likely to become affected by CFS.

Do I Need To See A Doctor

If you can figure out the reason for feeling tired yourself, and do something about it, then no. If the tiredness is getting in the way of your life, or making you feel unhappy, or you feel unwell, then yes, you should visit your doctor.

You should definitely see a doctor if you feel tired and have lost weight without trying to. Also see a doctor if you have other symptoms as well as being tired, such as coughing up blood, a change in the way your guts are working, heavy periods or a lump somewhere it shouldn’t be.

Read Also: Adrenal Fatigue Weight Loss Success Stories

Which Doctor Should I See For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

If a person suspects having CFS, it is best to see a GP. The GP will recommend having physical and blood tests done. He or she will also ask about the patients medical history. It is also important to be aware that not all GPs and health care providers have CFS programs in place. It will be best to do some research to find the health care practitioner who can alleviate the CFS symptoms.

Dont Miss: How Long Does Fatigue Last During Menopause

Chronic Fatigue Cause No : Undiagnosed Urinary Tract Infection

Although most women associate a urinary tract infection with symptoms such as burning or urgency, sometimes fatigue is the only clue.

In most instances, a UTI is caused by bacteria in the urinary tract, often the result of improper bathroom hygiene . Sexual intercourse can increase the risk because it can push bacteria from the into the urethra.

If your doctor suspects that you have a UTI, your urine will be tested. Treatment is quick and easy, and usually involves an oral antibiotic medication. You can expect the fatigue to lift within a week or less if the antibiotic works effectively.

If your symptoms return, get tested again. Some women have chronic UTIs, which are very difficult to resolve. If this is your case, ask your doctor about preventive care, which may include low dose antibiotics.

Dont Miss: Fatigue Even When Getting Enough Sleep

Also Check: Anti Fatigue Mats Standing Desk

Treating Cfs By Strengthening The Immune System

Image: Lingzhi mushroom on Wikipedia

Among Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients certain parts of the immune system tend to be weak. Strengthening these weak parts might be of benefit. An important test for immune system weakness is called Natural Killer Cell Function. NK Cell functional testing is a difficult test to do. For selected patients we send out this test. However, whether or not NK cell functional activity is low, strengthening the CFS immune system could likely be useful. One powerful immune stimulant, AHCC, a form of Shitake mushroom, has been shown to suppress HHV-6 virus levels in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Reishi mushroom might have similar good effects. Thus AHCC and Reishi mushroom might be considered as natural additional treatments for Epstein Barr or HHV-6 viruses.

The Doctor May Examine You

The doctor may check your weight and height, if it seems relevant. You may not be examined, as it may depend on your answers to some of the questions above however, the doctor may think it relevant to:

• Check your lymph glands to see if they are enlarged.
• Check your thyroid gland to see if it is enlarged.
• Look at your eyes to see if you might be anaemic.
• Listen to your chest and feel your tummy and the organs in your tummy.
• Check your joints for swelling or inflammation.
• Check the strength of your arms and/or legs.
• Ask you for a sample of your urine to check for sugar or infection.

Also Check: Fatigue That Comes And Goes

The Other Care Providers

There are other people that might be able to help you other care providers like chiropractors, physical therapists and even massage therapists. There are good chances that you would be going to one of them and you could ask them if they could recommend a good doctor that will help in your treatment of CFS.

Guidance For Doctors And Other Clinical Staff

The BMA has produced guidance for doctors and other clinical staff on how best to manage the risks of fatigue associated with current working patterns.

This includes:

• information about the causes and risks of fatigue
• ways to maximise rest and recovery
• guidance on supporting good quality decision-making
• advice on managing night shift working
• ways your employer and the BMA can help you.

Also Check: Magnilife Pain & Fatigue Relief Tablets

How Often Should You Visit Your Diabetes Doctor

If you are initially diagnosed diabetic and taking oral drugs then you should consult your doctors for diabetes at least every 4 to 6 months. you can also consult early if its not controlling with oral pills. If you are using insulin injection for diabetes then you must get check every 2 to 3 month to your specialist doctors in diabetes.

If someone feeling unusual symptoms such as blurring of vision, burning feet, chest pain, numbness or tingling sensations, breathlessness and weakness of any side of body then consult your doctor immediately.

Home Remedies And Lifestyle Changes

Making some lifestyle changes may help reduce your symptoms.

Limiting or eliminating your caffeine intake can help you sleep better and ease your insomnia. You should limit or avoid nicotine and alcohol too.

Try to avoid napping during the day if its hurting your ability to sleep at night.

Create a sleep routine. Go to bed at the same time every night and aim to wake up around the same time every day.

Don’t Miss: Best Anti-fatigue Kitchen Mats Reviews

Children And Teens With Me/cfs

As with adults, the degree to which a child or teens life is impacted by the disease depends on a number of things, including disease severity. If the child is mildly affected, he or she might benefit from a slightly modified school schedule and a reduction in social activity as long as parents and guardians recognize the need to avoid triggering PEM and worsening symptoms. If the child is moderately ill, the school and parent/guardian will need to work together to establish a substantially modified plan of education which might include private tutoring, remote learning, or some type of home-schooling. Children who fall into the moderate-to-severe range are generally unable to attend school at all and need help with even the most basic personal care.

It is important for family members and caregivers to know enough about the disease to understand what is happening and help guide the childs activities in order to prevent worsening of symptoms. For more information about navigating pediatric ME/CFS and working with your childs school, click here.

Red Flags Related To Fatigue You Shouldnt Ignore

Here are some warning signs that your fatigue may be linked to an underlying medical condition:

• waking up tired despite getting 8 hours of sleep
• lack of motivation to start the day
• lack of energy to do pleasurable activities
• fleeting bouts of sudden exhaustion throughout the day
• exhaustion accompanied by shortness of breath.

Don’t Miss: Kitchen Rug Anti Fatigue Floor Mat

Guidelines For Diagnosing Me/cfs

Guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence say doctors should consider diagnosing ME/CFS if a patient has extreme tiredness that cannot be explained by other causes and the tiredness:

• started recently, has lasted a long time, or keeps coming back
• means you cannot do the things you used to do
• gets worse after activity or gentle exercise, such as a short walk

You must also have some of these symptoms:

• problems sleeping, such as insomnia
• muscle or joint pain
• fast or irregular heartbeats
• doing exercise or concentrating makes your symptoms worse

The GP should consult a specialist if theyre unsure about the diagnosis or if you have severe symptoms.

If a child or young person under 18 has symptoms of possible ME/CFS, they may be referred to a paediatrician.

As the symptoms of ME/CFS are similar to those of many common illnesses that usually get better on their own, a diagnosis of ME/CFS may be considered if you do not get better as quickly as expected.

The diagnosis should be confirmed by a doctor after other conditions have been ruled out, and if your symptoms have lasted at least 3 months.

Page last reviewed: 29 October 2021 Next review due: 29 October 2024