Why Am I So Tired: The Many Causes of Fatigue (cont.)

Medical Author:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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Answers to these questions can lead to clues and further tests for underlying causes of fatigue that stem from:

• metabolism or hormonal problems (diabetes, anemia, kidney),
  
  
• infections (pneumonia, hepatitis, tuberculosis [TB], malaria), and
  
  
• heart or lung problems (heart disease, heart failure, heart valve problems).

These diseases listed between parentheses are only a few examples of the major categories of diseases and other fatigue problems that can stem from underlying diseases such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, and even therapy such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

I find that most (unfortunately, not all) underlying causes of fatigue can be identified when the patient and I make a good effort to uncover the clues that lead to discovering the underlying cause of their fatigue. Treatment of fatigue is based on the treatment of the underlying cause; but that's another long story. Consequently, the answer to the person who asks "Why am I so tired?" is given when the underlying cause(s) is identified, usually done with you answering the tough questions accurately and the diligence in pursuing clues by your doctor.

REFERENCE: MedicineNet.com. Fatigue.