Sources of Fatigue
I came across an article recently that referenced chronic fatigue; however, the article wasn't really about chronic fatigue, but, rather, the possible sources of sudden and otherwise (for a diagnosis yet to come) unexplainable fatigue. Here are those sources listed:
1. Anemia, a condition in which the number of red blood cells is less than normal. Of course, this makes perfect sense for a possible cause of fatigue. Red blood cells transport oxygen. Fewer red blood cells means less oxygen being delivered and less energy. In a sense, this is similar to how a car works. A richer mixture of air/fuel (richer in the sense that more air is being delivered) results in a higher horsepower output. Cut the flow of air too much and the car will have difficulty running at all.
2. Thyroid levels. In addition to weight gain, low thyroid levels can cause tiredness and fatigue. In fact, fatigue in individuals with specific medical conditions may prompt a treating physician to run a thyroid panel.
3. Insulin dependent and non-insulin dependent diabetes. Whether a patient's diabetes is type I or type II, they may experience fatigue, possibly as a result of the effects of medication, or due to poor control of the condition. Some individuals with diabetes, of course, experience hypoglycemia which can result in severely low energy levels and can even put a person in mortal danger.
4. Kidney Disease. Kidney impairment, like diabetes, can result in low energy levels and fatigue.
5. Depression. This one is a complete no-brainer. Anyone who has ever experienced a bout of depression may recall that they felt tired, listless, and required more sleep than normal. For individuals with chronic major depression, this can be an impediment to work.
6. Sleep apnea. The simple fact that a sleep apnea patient is failing to achieve deep restful sleep, due to interruptions in normal sleep patterns, can result in extraordinary fatigue and an inability to recuperate from daily activities.
7. Fibromyalgia. Many individuals with sleep apnea also have fibromyalgia syndrome. Increasingly, fibromyalgia is thought of as a condition in which an affected individual fails to achieve sufficient delta-wave stage sleep, the deep level of sleep in which the body repairs itself.
Chronic fatigue, of course, is different from these sources of fatigue. With chronic fatigue syndrome, the fatigue must last for at least half a year or longer. And the other sources of fatigue, such as the ones I've listed, must be ruled out. Essentially, when a person's fatigue cannot be explained and meets a minimum duration level, it may be classified as chronic fatigue.
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1. Anemia, a condition in which the number of red blood cells is less than normal. Of course, this makes perfect sense for a possible cause of fatigue. Red blood cells transport oxygen. Fewer red blood cells means less oxygen being delivered and less energy. In a sense, this is similar to how a car works. A richer mixture of air/fuel (richer in the sense that more air is being delivered) results in a higher horsepower output. Cut the flow of air too much and the car will have difficulty running at all.
2. Thyroid levels. In addition to weight gain, low thyroid levels can cause tiredness and fatigue. In fact, fatigue in individuals with specific medical conditions may prompt a treating physician to run a thyroid panel.
3. Insulin dependent and non-insulin dependent diabetes. Whether a patient's diabetes is type I or type II, they may experience fatigue, possibly as a result of the effects of medication, or due to poor control of the condition. Some individuals with diabetes, of course, experience hypoglycemia which can result in severely low energy levels and can even put a person in mortal danger.
4. Kidney Disease. Kidney impairment, like diabetes, can result in low energy levels and fatigue.
5. Depression. This one is a complete no-brainer. Anyone who has ever experienced a bout of depression may recall that they felt tired, listless, and required more sleep than normal. For individuals with chronic major depression, this can be an impediment to work.
6. Sleep apnea. The simple fact that a sleep apnea patient is failing to achieve deep restful sleep, due to interruptions in normal sleep patterns, can result in extraordinary fatigue and an inability to recuperate from daily activities.
7. Fibromyalgia. Many individuals with sleep apnea also have fibromyalgia syndrome. Increasingly, fibromyalgia is thought of as a condition in which an affected individual fails to achieve sufficient delta-wave stage sleep, the deep level of sleep in which the body repairs itself.
Chronic fatigue, of course, is different from these sources of fatigue. With chronic fatigue syndrome, the fatigue must last for at least half a year or longer. And the other sources of fatigue, such as the ones I've listed, must be ruled out. Essentially, when a person's fatigue cannot be explained and meets a minimum duration level, it may be classified as chronic fatigue.
Return to:
Social Security Disability and...
Social Security Disability SSI and Doctors
Social Security Disability SSI and Mental Conditions
Social Security Disability SSI and Finances
Social Security Disability SSI and Medical Exams
Social Security Disability SSI and Medical Records
Social Security Disability SSI and Appeals
Social Security Disability SSI and Children
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