What is fatigue?
Fatigue is defined as an overall feeling of tiredness, lack of energy, and feeling weak or sleepy. It is a normal response from our bodies when we overexert ourselves, but can become chronic if it persists.
Some key things to know about fatigue:
- Acute fatigue is short-term tiredness that resolves after rest. This is normal and usually not a cause for concern.
- Chronic fatigue, on the other hand, is fatigue that persists for over 6 months and does not improve with rest. This can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition.
What causes fatigue?
There are many potential causes, including:
- Lack of quality sleep
- Physical overexertion
- Stress
- Poor diet or nutrition
- Underlying medical conditions like anemia, thyroid disorders, heart disease, cancer, autoimmune diseases, etc.
What are the symptoms of fatigue?
- Overall tiredness and sleepy feeling
- Feeling "drained" or having no energy
- Difficulty concentrating
- Decreased motivation
- Muscle weakness
- Slowed reflexes and responses
- Irritability
I hope this gives you a helpful overview on the key things to know about fatigue. Let me know if you have any other questions!