Almost all people experience fatigue from time to time. People should also know that fatigue can be both mental and physical. However, people should realize that fatigue is usually a symptom of some underlying cause. There are many ways in which people would describe fatigue. However, some of the most common feelings that people have are weakness, lack of energy, being constantly tired or exhausted, having a lack of motivation, problems with concentration, beginning and finishing tasks. Apart from these, there are some other symptoms that point to fatigue like fainting, rapid heartbeat, near-syncope and dizziness. When people go to the hospital they should mention these and all the other symptoms in order to make it easier for the doctor to discover the underlying cause.
When to seek medical care
It is not common for people who experience fatigue to go to the hospital. However, in some situation it is advisable for people to do so. For instance, if the fatigue occurs suddenly and without stress, if the symptoms do not go away after proper rest and sleep, if the condition becomes chronic or extreme or if there are certain unexplained symptoms and fainting.
If a person experiences fainting, chest pain, shortness of breath, bleeding, higher than normal abdominal or back pain or irregular heartbeat, he or she needs to go to the emergency department straight away.
People should also know that there are some symptoms which are in most cases in connection with fatigue. Even if they are not, people should go as soon as possible to the hospital. Some of these symptoms are unexplained weight loss, new masses or lumps in the body, a fever higher than 101 F, severe vaginal bleeding and unexplained pain in any location in the body.
Fatigue diagnosis
When the doctor needs to make a diagnosis, he or she will ask the patient a number of questions in order to get to know the patient’s medical history. The doctor will also ask questions about the occurring symptoms. The quality of the patient’s life will also be questioned in order for the best diagnosis to be made. For instance, a doctor will need to know is the fatigue constant during the day, is there a pattern, how the person’s emotional state is and whether his or her sleeping pattern is disturbed. These are only some of the questions and after a few more; the doctor will need to perform a physical as well. Certain tests, like blood and urinal are required in some cases.
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