What To Do When You Feel Exhausted

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When you say you are feeling exhausted, do you really know what it means?

There is heat exhaustion which is a complication resulting from over-exposure to extremely hot temperatures that deplete your body of vital fluids during the sweating process. Heat exhaustion is characterized by fatigue, weakness, dizziness, nausea, and cool, clammy, pale or red skin. Heat exhaustion is a very serious condition which can lead to death if not dealt with in time. But that is not what most people mean when they say they are exhausted.

The word is more commonly referring to one who is fatigued to a point of almost total collapse. Although, on the surface, it is not quite as serious as heat exhaustion, it can over a long period of time create as much damage to your body. So when you say you are exhausted, you usually mean you are feeling fatigued, not suffering from heat exhaustion.

Fatigue is not drowsiness or sleepiness. Everyone can feel sleepy after a long, hard day or even during a very active project. You can feel drowsy (or tired) after a large meal. While one who is truly fatigued in the medical sense may have a great need for sleep, true fatigue is a bit more complicated. Apathy, or a feeling of indifference, is another symptom. Other symptoms include depression, dry mouth (fatigue is sometimes accompanied by dehydration), inability to pay attention, drifting in and out of sleep when you should be awake, fussy/cranky behavior, clumsiness, careless decisions and so forth.

Fatigue is a normal response to lack of sleep, physical exertion, or emotional stress. It is your body's way of telling you to slow down so your system can heal itself. Fatigue not relieved by normal means such as extra rest, or that occurs without cause or other symptoms should be medically evaluated.

Fatigue is usually due to poor nutrition, depression, boredom, lack of sleep, or hard work. Some common causes are related to diseases such as:

• Addison's Disease
• AIDS
• Anemia Including Iron Deficiency Anemia
• Cancer And Chemotherapy
• Congestive Heart Failure
• Diabetes
• Hypothyroidism
• Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Kwashiorkor
• Mononucleosis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
• Tuberculosis
• Congestive Heart Failure

Simple fatigue can be relieved by taking a vacation, changing to a job with less stress, setting better priorities to your time and commitments, a balanced diet, a program for regular exercise, and extra rest. Stimulants do not work effectively and can make the problem worse when the drugs are discontinued. Tranquilizers intensify fatigue.

Chronic fatigue which lasts more than 3 weeks, or is accompanied by other symptoms, or if not relieved by lifestyle changes and rest should be your alert to consult a doctor. Call your health care provider if there is prolonged, unexplained weakness or fatigue particularly if accompanied by other unexplained symptoms.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed. The examiner may inquire into lifestyle and feelings. If fatigue is not caused by a physical disorder, the patient may be referred for psychological counseling.

Medical history questions documenting fatigue may include:

• sleep pattern
• How much do you sleep?
• What hours do you sleep?
• Do you awake feeling rested or fatigued?
• quality
• Does the level of fatigue remain constant throughout the day?
• Does fatigue get worse as the day goes on?
• emotional state
• Are you feeling boredom, unhappiness, or disappointment in your life?
• other
• Have you had unusual activity lately?
• How are your relationships?
• What is your diet like?
• Do you get regular exercise?
• What other symptoms are present? Is there pain? nausea?
• What medications are being taken?
• time pattern
• Has fatigue only been developing recently?
• Has it been lasting for weeks to months?
• Does fatigue occur in regular cycles?
• Physical examination will include special attention to the heart, lungs, and thyroid gland.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• tests for anemia
• thyroid function tests
• other blood studies such as CBC and blood differential
• urinalysis

After seeing your health care provider, you may want to add a diagnosis related to fatigue to your personal medical record.

Return to the Fitness Section