Fatigue: a symptom you should never ignore

Fatigue can be tempting to ignore—especially when it doesn't seem serious. But, when your body speaks, you should listen.

• Even if you do pay attention to your symptoms, it's not easy to know what they mean.
• That's why diagnosis is a a doctor's job. But you can use the following information to help you decide how urgently you need to see one.

• DESCRIPTION: Sudden fatigue accompanied by viral symptoms.
• POSSIBLE CAUSES: An illness such as a cold or the flu.
• RESPONSE: Rest while your body fights off the virus.

• DESCRIPTION: Fatigue accompanied by loss of interest in favourite activities, unintentional weight gain or loss, irritability, feelings of hopelessness or trouble concentrating
• POSSIBLE CAUSES: Depression or anxiety.
• RESPONSE: Seek support from friends and family and see your doctor, who may refer you to a mental health professional. Long-term depression or anxiety, common in older people, can be treated with therapy, medication or both.

• DESCRIPTION: Fatigue while taking medication.
• POSSIBLE CAUSES: A side effect of drugs such as beta-blockers, antihistamines, anti-anxiety medications, cough and cold remedies and some antidepressants.
• RESPONSE: Ask your doctor or pharmacist if fatigue is a common side effect of any of the medications you take. If the answer is yes, talk with your doctor about whether a different medication should be substituted.

• DESCRIPTION: Fatigue that lasts more than two weeks.
• POSSIBLE CAUSES: A problem such as infection, allergies, a sleep disorder such as apnea, anemia, heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease or liver disease.
• RESPONSE: See your doctor, who will order diagnostic tests and may refer you to a specialist.

• DESCRIPTION: Fatigue accompanied by unexplained weight gain, dry skin, hair loss, change in sleep patterns, constipation or depression.
• POSSIBLE CAUSES: Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).
• RESPONSE: See your doctor, who will order a diagnostic blood test.

• DESCRIPTION: Severe, persistent, unexplained fatigue accompanied by muscle aches or difficulty concentrating.
• POSSIBLE CAUSES: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
• RESPONSE: See your doctor, who will rule out other possible causes. There is no cure, but symptoms can be controlled with various medications. Be sure your doctor has experience treating CFS.