FATIGUE EVALUATION
Are you tired of being tired? If you’re constantly feeling physically or mentally fatigued, or both, it’s important to understand why in order to improve your situation.
Fatigue is a symptom characterized by extreme tiredness or exhaustion, typically resulting from mental or physical exertion or illness. It can impact every aspect of your life, including work performance, family life, and social relationships.
Symptoms of physical fatigue include lack of energy, difficulty performing everyday tasks, and muscle weakness. Symptoms of mental fatigue include impaired memory and concentration, lack of motivation, and inability to think clearly, almost as if you were intoxicated.
Fatigue may be caused by any number of factors, the most common being lack of sleep. Nearly 40% of American adults say they do not get the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep per night. Other causes of fatigue include:
- Acute illness such as the flu and other infections
- Chronic disease such as coronary artery disease, COPD, anemia, diabetes, kidney or liver disease, hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome
- Stress
- Mental disorders such as depression or anxiety
- Medication side effects
- Sleep problems such as sleep apnea or insomnia
- Vitamin deficiencies (vitamin D, vitamin B12, iron, folic acid)
- Cancer and cancer treatments including chemotherapy and radiation therapy
- Poor nutrition
- Lack of exercise
- Recent childbirth
Fatigue can take a serious toll on your life, not only in the form of illness or disease, but also in terms of accidents and injuries. At Cogent Family Healthcare in Mountain View, California, Dr. Stephen Sims understands the seriousness of fatigue and will perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine the underlying cause.
What Is a Fatigue Evaluation?
Your fatigue evaluation will begin with a physical exam, review of your health history and any medications you may be taking, and discussion of your symptoms. Dr. Sims will want to know how long you have been experiencing symptoms of fatigue and when it occurs. He will ask you about your lifestyle and habits such as diet, exercise, sleep, and alcohol consumption.
Dr. Sims may also recommend diagnostic tests such as urinalysis; advanced blood tests; micronutrient, antioxidant, and immune function testing; imaging scans; and home sleep studies. Once he determines the root cause of your fatigue, Dr. Sims will create a customized treatment plan to address any medical conditions, mental health issues, or medication side effects that are contributing to your fatigue. He will also make recommendations to help you get better sleep, improve your nutrition, and change other negative habits.
If fatigue is making your life miserable, call Cogent Family Healthcare at (650) 386-0386 to schedule your fatigue evaluation with Dr. Sims. He’s helped many people throughout the Bay Area live a happier, more productive life and he can help you, too.
