8 Diseases Which Have Fatigue As the Main Symptom
When I was ill recently, I felt like I had
no energy to do anything at all, and this depressed me further. I
couldn’t just rest and let my immune system fight for me, I thought I
had to get on and do as much stuff as I could, cleaning the house,
walking the dog, cooking the meals and so forth. I know I am not alone
with this experience. So, if you’re feeling fatigued, chances are that
you have one of these 8 diseases. This guide may be able to help you
catch it early.
Note: This guide will offer suggestions as
to possible diseases your fatigue may be indicating. If you do feel
fatigued, you should see a doctor and explain your precise symptoms for a
professional diagnosis.
Fatigue
Whenever you are suffering from a disease, your immune system uses lots
of energy to fight it. This causes you to feel tired, and explains why
fatigue is a common symptom of many unrelated diseases. Anne Cappola, MD
at Pennsylvania University, says that fatigue is quite a complicated
concept. There are many ways to measure it, such as how much you are
sleeping, how much you are exercising, or how tired you feel in the
evening.
She says we should realize that fatigue can be purely physical, or it
can be emotional or psychological. Stress can really bring one’s energy
levels down. People also feel societal pressure to always be on the go,
which for some of us is a little unrealistic. We are not all meant to
work as hard as pack-horses.
But, in any case, here are 8 of the most common diseases with fatigue as
the principal symptom. With the symptoms that are associated with each
of the diseases listed, you may have a good chance of working out what
is wrong with you.
1. Underactive thyroid
Some 11 million Americans unfortunately suffer from hypothyroidism. The
thyroid is a small gland you can find at the very base of your neck. Its
function is to regulate your immune system and energy levels. Of the
diseases most linked with fatigue as a symptom, this is one of the two
most commonly encountered.
Other symptoms aside from fatigue that can help you identify this
disease include: coldness; dry skin; constipation; or weight gain.
2. Adrenal insufficiency
According to Dr. Cappola, this is the second disease she looks for, when
encountering a patient complaining of fatigue. The disease occurs when
your adrenal glands function poorly, leading to a lack of cortisol.
Other symptoms associated with this disease may include: weight-loss;
diarrhea; hyper-pigmentation (dark skin patches); light-headedness; or
abdominal pain.
3. Chronic fatigue syndrome
This disease is characterized by
debilitating fatigue, where virtually any common errand or task can seem
an impossible nightmare. Around a quarter of all those with the disease
are bedridden or house-ridden. The disease may be caused by excessive
inflammation as a result of light activities.
Other symptoms associated with this disease include foggy thinking, and
aches and pains.
4. Anemia
When the blood has insufficient healthy blood cells carrying oxygen
around the body, this is called anemia. Anemia has many different forms,
but all of them cause fatigue. So, you may be suffering from iron or a
B12 deficiency, polyps, or a particularly heavy period. Each has its own
treatment.
Other symptoms that could indicate anemia, along with fatigue, include:
brittle nails; fast heartbeat; dizziness; headaches; or paleness.
5. Diabetes
When someone has diabetes, their body works overtime trying to manage
the levels of glucose within the blood. The key symptoms that can help
diagnose this disease do include fatigue.
Other symptoms include rampant thirst and frequent urination.
6. Clinical depression
Although depression is a hard condition to
medically define, it is certainly linked with fatigue. Cause and effect
may be in question, but it stands to reason, and corresponds with the
experiences of many people, that sadness makes it difficult to summon up
the necessary energy to go about performing our usual tasks.
Other symptoms that may point to psychological issues being behind your
fatigue also include a loss of appetite and problems with concentration.
7. Endocarditis
Endocarditis is an inflammation or infection of the heart. These things
happen as bacteria travel via the blood and cling to your heart's inner
lining. Those with artificial heart valves and those with heart damage
are most at risk of suffering from the condition. Treatments for this
disease include antimicrobial therapy, and possibly surgery.
Other symptoms to look out for include chills and fevers.
8. Sleep apnea 
To sleep well one of the things you need is a constant breathing
pattern. When this is broken by extended breathing pauses during the
night, your sleep can be disrupted and cause you to be fatigued in the
day. This is not a life-threatening condition, but it certainly affects
your health by bringing your energy levels down. The effects can be
exacerbated when combined with another illness.
Anyone who sleeps close to you may be able to help you identify whether
you appear to have trouble breathing at night. Find out if they have
noticed your breathing pause for up to a minute, before a cough or snort
seems to fix it. Other symptoms can include heavy snoring.