Postsurgical fatigue is normal and is due to a variety of factors. Depression, stress, and anxiety may produce fatigue. Sleep deficits, certain medications, anemia, blood loss, fasting, and loss of electrolytes and minerals associated with surgery can also produce fatigue. Exercise, physical exertion, aging, and the overall health status of patients are additional factors that play a role in making people feel tired after surgery. Read more: 7 Reasons You Are Tired After Surgery Article
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
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The 14 Most Common Causes of Fatigue
Always feeling tired? Learn more about the causes of fatigue. Get tips to relieve symptoms of fatigue. Feel less tired and start...
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Trauma and First Aid Quiz: Training and Supplies
What should be in your first-aid kit? Take this quiz to understand trauma and learn the truth about how to administer first aid.
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Picture of Airway
The path air follows to get into and out of the lungs. See a picture of Airway and learn more about the health topic.
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7 Reasons You Are Tired After Surgery See a medical illustration of fibromyalgia trigger points plus our entire medical gallery of human anatomy and physiology See ImagesRelated Disease Conditions
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Muscle Spasms
Muscle spasms are involuntary muscle contractions that come on suddenly and are usually quite painful. Dehydration, doing strenuous exercise in a hot environment, prolonged muscle use, and certain diseases of the nervous system may cause muscle spasms. Symptoms and signs of a muscle spasm include an acute onset of pain and a possible bulge seen or felt beneath the skin where the muscle is located. Gently stretching the muscle usually resolves a muscle spasm.
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Anemia
Anemia is the condition of having less than the normal number of red blood cells or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood. The oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood is, therefore, decreased. There are several types of anemia such as iron deficiency anemia (the most common type), sickle cell anemia, vitamin B12 anemia, pernicious anemia, and aplastic anemia. Symptoms of anemia may include fatigue, malaise, hair loss, palpitations, menstruation, and medications. Treatment for anemia includes treating the underlying cause for the condition. Iron supplements, vitamin B12 injections, and certain medications may also be necessary.
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Low Potassium (Hypokalemia)
Potassium is an essential electrolyte necessary for cell function. Low potassium (hypokalemia) may be caused by diarrhea, vomiting, ileostomy, colon polyps, laxative use, diuretics, elevated corticosteroid levels, renal artery stenosis, and renal tubular acidosis, or other medications. Symptoms of low potassium include weakness, aches, and cramps of the muscles. Treatment is dependent upon the cause of the low potassium (hypokalemia).
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Stress
Stress is a normal part of life, but chronic or severe stress can be harmful to your health. Learn what happens in your body when you are stressed and how you can manage your response.
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Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are symptoms of many conditions including motion sickness, pregnancy, emotional stress, gallbladder disease, and other illnesses. Learn about causes, treatment, and when to be concerned.
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Anxiety
Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension and fear characterized by symptoms such as trouble concentrating, headaches, sleep problems, and irritability. Anxiety disorders are serious medical illnesses that affect approximately 19 million American adults. Treatment for anxiety may incorporate medications and psychotherapy.
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Fatigue and Exhaustion
Fatigue can be described in various ways. Sometimes fatigue is described as feeling a lack of energy and motivation (both mental and physical). The causes of fatigue are generally related to a variety of conditions or diseases, for example, anemia, mono, medications, sleep problems, cancer, anxiety, heart disease, and drug abuse.Treatment of fatigue is generally directed toward the condition or disease that is causing the fatigue.
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Depression
Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. The principal types of depression are major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disease (also called manic-depressive disease).
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Insomnia
Insomnia is the perception or complaint of inadequate or poor-quality sleep because of difficulty falling asleep; waking up frequently during the night with difficulty returning to sleep; waking up too early in the morning; or unrefreshing sleep. Secondary insomnia is the most common type of insomnia. Treatment for insomnia include lifestyle changes, cognitive behavioral therapy, and medication.
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How Can I Get My Energy Back?
Ways to get your energy back include a good diet, getting exercise, and working on your mental health.
Treatment & Diagnosis
- Electrolytes
- Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)
- Sinus Surgery (Endoscopic) Procedure
- Nasal Airway Surgery (Septoplasty)
- Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)
- Lap Band Surgery
- How Dangerous Is General Anesthesia?
- What Is Bag Valve Mask Ventilation (BVM) Used For?
- Joint Replacement Surgery of the Hand
- Is Abdominoplasty Safe?
- How Long Does a Forehead Flap Take to Heal?
- Neck Lift Surgery
- What Are the Antibiotic Prophylactic Regimens for Endocarditis?
- Questions To Ask Before Surgery
- Brow Lift Cosmetic Surgery
- Heart Valve Disease Surgery
- Gastric Bypass Surgery
- What Is a Sural Nerve Block?
- How Is Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring Performed?
- Ulcerative Colitis Surgery
- What Is Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring?
- How Much Does Forehead Reconstruction Cost?
Medications & Supplements
- Benzodiazepines
- lorazepam
- What Is the Difference Between Sedation and General Anesthesia?
- sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (Bactrim)
- multivitamins/minerals/omega-3 fatty acids - oral
- succinylcholine
- propofol
- Anectine (succinylcholine chloride)
- ketorolac
- gentamicin
- Ketalar (ketamine)
- benzodiazepines-oral
- dextran
- cryoprecipitate
- cocaine
- Brevital Sodium (Methohexital Sodium for Injection)
- Neomycin Sulfate
- Bridion (sugammadex)
- Side Effects of EMLA (lidocaine and prilocaine)
- Entereg (alvimopan)
- OxyContin (oxycodone)
- Evicel (fibrin sealant, human)
Prevention & Wellness
- After COVID, Surgery Risks Remain Higher for More Than a Year
- Quieter ORs May Make for Happier Kids After Surgery
- Telehealth Boosts Odds That Patients Show Up for Post-Surgery Care
- Doctors Devise Safer Alternative to Opioids During, After Surgeries
- Upcoming Surgery Worry You? Poll Says You're Not Alone
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