Posted: 04/01/2016

Chronic Fatigue: How to Know When It’s a Problem

Chronic fatigue at work

We’ve all had days when we feel a little drained, or wish that we could stay in bed a little longer. However, if you feel exhausted most or all of the time, it could be a sign of a more serious problem.

Fatigue is a non-specific symptom, meaning that it has multiple possible causes. We can experience both physical fatigue (characterized by muscle weakness) and mental fatigue (sleepiness, confusion, difficulty concentrating), and we may have both physical and mental fatigue at the same time. Sometimes fatigue will go away when you make a few changes (e.g. getting on a regular sleeping schedule, eating a healthy diet), but other times it may persist and become chronic fatigue.

So how do you know when your fatigue is a symptom of a serious health issue? Below are some examples of situations where you should make an appointment with your doctor.

Your efforts to get more rest and reduce stress haven’t paid off. If you’ve been getting enough sleep and making efforts to relax but still have persistent chronic fatigue after two or more weeks, your fatigue is likely a symptom of a health problem and not just run-of-the-mill tiredness.

You have difficulty falling or staying asleep. If you set aside 7 to 9 hours for sleep but find yourself lying awake for hours on end—or waking up and being unable to go back to sleep—see your doctor. He or she might recommend that you complete an overnight sleep study to determine if you have a sleeping disorder.

You feel sad, apathetic, or helpless. These could be signs that you have depression, which commonly causes fatigue.

You have recently started taking any new medications. Fatigue could be a side effect of one of your prescription drugs. Tell your doctor about all medications you are taking; you may need a new dosage or different treatment.

You have unexplained weight changes. Sudden weight gain or loss accompanied by fatigue could be a sign of an underactive or overactive thyroid gland. If this has been an issue, your doctor should be able to perform a blood test to measure your thyroid levels.

You have persistent headaches. Headaches and other types of recurring pain, such as a sore throat, muscle pain, or joint pain, sometimes accompany chronic fatigue.

Provigil Is A Medication Prescribed for Chronic Fatigue
Fortunately, there are different treatment options available for fatigue, depending on the cause. Discuss your medical history with your doctor to help determine the cause of your fatigue and the best course of treatment for you. 

By HelpRx Staff Writer

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About the HelpRx.info Blog

HelpRx.info is staffed by experts in the prescription medication industry. Get the latest health, medical news and pharmaceutical news that can save you money and allow you to take charge of your healthcare. With frequent updates about the prescription drug industry as well as medicine news, you'll gain an insider look into the industry and learn more about how to get the best price on your prescriptions while not sacrificing quality.

About HelpRx

Our discounts provide you access to negotiated prices on your prescription drugs at your local pharmacy. We can provide these because we're partnered with OptumRx, a BIG pharmacy benefit provider that provides prescription coverage for MILLIONS of people like you.

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