Fatigue

Reviewed by Dr Stuart Crisp, specialist registrar and Dr John Pillinger, GP

Cancers

Most forms of cancer cause fatigue to a certain degree. Therefore, it is extremely important to visit a doctor if you experience fatigue that seems to have no specific cause (eg insomnia).

Cancer can also manifest itself as lack of appetite and weight loss.

Metabolism

For people with a low metabolism rate (when the body is slow to turn food into energy), fatigue and an increased need for sleep can become extreme. If you suspect your metabolism rate is too low, you should see a doctor, because there are effective treatments available.

A high metabolism rate can also cause fatigue. In such cases, a high pulse rate makes it difficult to rest and leads to profound tiredness and a feeling of being unfit. There are also readily available treatments for this disorder.

Diabetes

Diabetes is another illness that can cause fatigue. Diabetes must be diagnosed and treated to stop it getting worse. A diagnosis can usually be made from a simple blood test.

Chronic fatigue syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a condition that causes exhaustion and fatigue without explanation.

There is no hard and fast test for this syndrome, but it is diagnosed 'by exclusion'. This means that if doctors have tested for everything else without success, this is the only possibility left.

Chronic fatigue is nonetheless a real condition. Although it is not directly treatable, it can be managed well enough to allow people to return to good health in time.

Tackling fatigue

First and foremost, you need to ensure that you lead a healthy life. This means a good diet, exercise and plenty of sleep.

Vitamins and minerals are necessary for many of the body's processes, and a healthy diet ensures your body can function at its best.

It may sound strange, but lack of exercise can increase feelings of fatigue. If you're not used to doing exercise, long walks are a good way to start. Exercise that involves all the major muscle groups is recommended, eg swimming.

What should I do if the fatigue continues?

Try to ascertain whether the fatigue is simply due to prolonged lack of sleep. If this can be excluded, and the fatigue has gone on for three to four weeks, it might be a good idea to see a doctor for a check-up.

This is particularly important if you are suffering from other symptoms such as:

night sweats

weight change

breathlessness

pale mucous membranes in the nose and mouth

blood in faeces or urine

swollen lymph glands

thirst.

This list is by no means complete. Fatigue is a good enough reason by itself for you to seek your doctor's advice.

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