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When Being Tired or Fatigued is More!

Todays Health Article

American Heart Month

February 15th, 2011

Todays article is for those feeling tired, or fatigued. Most people have felt tired symptoms at the end of the day, perhaps mentally or physically drained from the days tasks or mental challenges that presented themselves. Most would say, “You Know what, it was just a typical day in my life today”. You know that to be true, for some, but what about when it’s beyond just being tired or fatigued.

Tired, Exhausted, Fatigued, Wearied defined as…

Tired suggest a condition or a physical symptom, in which a large part of one’s energy and vitality has been consumed, gone. This person, who is tired, has used up a considerable part of his or her bodily or mental resources, to feel tired at the end of the day. You may become completely drained of your energy and vitality, because of a hard or long-sustained effort such , exhaustion may resulted from a hard run. Now one who is fatigued, has generally consumed energy to a point, where rest and sleep are demanded. One who is wearied has been under unusal exertion or strain that has gradually worn out his or her strength: wearied by a long vigil. Weary suggests a more permanent condition than wearied: weary of struggling against misfortunes.

Biggest Complaint

“The single biggest complaint I hear from my patients, day in and day out, is fatigue,” says cardiologist Nieca Goldberg, MD, Director of the NYU Medical Center Women’s Heart Program and associate professor at the NYU School of Medicine.

Of course, for some of us the problem is simply multi-tasking to the max and not getting enough sleep, or good quality sleep. “If you’re continually logging in just 5 or 6 hours a night, it’s going to catch up with you, no matter your age,” says Rebecca Amaru, MD, clinical instructor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.

Fatigue is a state of awareness describing a range of afflictions, usually associated with physical and/or mental weakness, though varying from a general state of exhaustion to a specific work-induced burning sensation within one’s muscles. Physical fatigue is the inability to continue functioning at the level of one’s normal abilities.It is common in everyday life, but usually becomes particularly noticeable during heavy exercise

Mental fatigue, on the other hand, rather manifests in somnolence (sleepiness).

Fatigue is considered a symptom, as opposed to a medical sign, because it is reported by the patient instead of being observed by others. Fatigue and ‘feelings of fatigue’ can often be confused.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

CFS is a condition that causes severe, unrelenting fatigue that interferes with a person’s daily activities. The fatigue is not the result of exertion and it is not relieved by rest.

The majority of CFS cases start suddenly,usually accompanied by a “flu-like illness” while a significant proportion of cases begin within several months of severe adverse stress. An Australian prospective study found that after infection by viral and non-viral pathogens, a sub-set of individuals met the criteria for CFS, with the researchers concluding that “post-infective fatigue syndrome is a valid illness model for investigating one pathophysiological pathway to CFS”.However, accurate prevalence and exact roles of infection and stress in the development of CFS are currently unknown.

The symptoms of CFS include:

fatigue,
sleep problems
difficulty in concentrating
thinking clearly
memory problems
fever
headaches
muscle and joint pain
sore throat
tender glands in the neck or armpits

A person normal activity and even light exertion can cause tiredness and a feeling of general discomfort or uneasiness, usually last longer than 24 hours.

Physical examinations and lab tests are done to rule out other causes of the symptoms. Because there is no test that can identify CFS, it can be diagnosed only by ruling out all other conditions. A person with symptoms resembling those of CFS, should consult a physician to rule out several treatable illnesses:

sleep disorders
depression
alcohol/substance abuse
diabetes,
hypothyroidism
mononucleosis (mono)
lupus
multiple sclerosis (MS)
chronic hepatitis
medications

All these can also cause side effects that mimic symptoms of CFS.

Treatment for CFS

The treatment is directed at relieving fatigue and other symptoms so that those who have CFS might function normally and gradually return to a normal level of activity. The treatment at home is a very important part as diet, exercise, and good sleep habits can often help relieve and control symptoms. Many people with CFS find that their symptoms improve over time, allowing them to return to near normal activity within 1 to 2 years.

Todays Health Comments

Today being tired, exhausted or fatigued is most likely a feeling from the days activities. However for a very few, its something that diet and rest may not be just enough. After reviewing these symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, its no easily determined, since many other health issues may mimic similar symptoms. If you are continuouslytired, a check up with your Doctor may be a strong consideration, to get you back onto the road of health.