Fatigue Flashcards
This can be the presenting symptom of virtually any disease
Fatigue
Thorough history and PE reveals cause of ___ in what percent of cases?
Fatigue in 85%
*not many people come in with fatigue in their chief complaint. How do we find out? We have to ask them. Symptom survey.
Categories of fatigue (6)
Acute vs. chronic
Physiological
Organic vs. psychological
Acute vs. chronic fatigue. Define.
Acute: MC prodrome/sequela to acute infection
Chronic: lasts weeks-months-years
4 causes of chronic fatigue **
Psychological (depression, anxiety, stress)
Chronic disorders (infection, rheumatologic, cardiopulmonary, etc.)
Anemia
Pharmacological (prescription and OTC)
Define physiological fatigue (3)
Patient recognizes cause.
Rarely seeks medical advice.
Associated with lack of sleep or too much work/both
Organic vs. psychological. Define.
Psychological: attributable to depression, anxiety, stress. Usually feels better with exercise.
Organic: associated with identifiable non-psychological cause
Organic origin (6)
Shorter duration Worse with exertion Not worse upon arising More evident as day progresses RELIEVED BY REST PROGRESSIVE OVER TIME.
Psychological origin (4)
Usually longer duration.
Present and often worse in the morning.
Improves as day progresses.
Usually not related to exertion.`
Associated problems: anemia (4) anxiety (4), cardiopulmonary (1), chronic pain syndromes
Anemia: breathlessness, anorexia, weight loss, pallor
Anxiety: restlessness, irritability, sweating palpitations, paresthesias.
Cardiopulmonary: dyspnea
Fatigue reduced by rest
Physiologic fatigiue
Fatigue improving on weekends or during vacation
Job related fatigue
Chronic fatigue is most often associated with (4)
Cancer, cardiopulmonary diseases, drug abuse, psychological issues (depression/anxiety)
