22 FATIGUE General Discussion Fatigue is defined as a subjective state of sustained lack of energy or exhaustion with a decreased capacity for physical and mental work which persists despite sufficient rest. Fatigue is one of the most common complaints in adults presenting for primary care in the United States and must be differentiated from weakness or exertional difficulties. Acute viral syndromes are a common cause of fatigue and usually are self-limited. Fatigue that persists longer than one month generally warrants investigation. Although fatigue usually is the symptom of which the patient complains, a careful history often will reveal associated symptoms. A targeted physical examination may lead to additional diagnostic clues. A laboratory examination may not be required in all cases of fatigue, but targeted testing may help the clinician reveal the cause of the patient’s symptoms. Depression is the most common cause of clinically important fatigue in patients presenting for primary care. Fatigue is common in the elderly population and may represent part of the normal aging process. However, fatigue should not be attributed to advanced age alone. Rather, fatigue as a consequence of advanced age should be a diagnosis of exclusion. Medications Associated with Fatigue Almost every medication may cause fatigue and should be considered in the evaluation of the patient with fatigue. The following categories of medications are more common causes of fatigue. Antihistamines Benzodiazepines Beta blockers Blood pressure medications Diuretics Glucocorticoids Narcotic pain medications NSAIDs Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors Sleeping medications Tricyclic antidepressants Causes of Fatigue Addison’s disease Advancing age Alcohol abuse Allergic rhinitis Amebiasis Anemia Anorexia nervosa Bipolar disorder Blastomycosis Bulimia nervosa Cancer Carbon monoxide poisoning Chemotherapy COPD Chronic sinusitis Coccidiomycosis Cushing’s disease Cytomegalovirus infection Dementia Depression Dermatomyositis Diabetes Domestic abuse Drug abuse Endocarditis Epstein–Barr virus syndrome Fibromyalgia Giardiasis Heart failure Heavy metal exposure Helminth infestation Hepatitis B or C Histoplasmosis Hypercalcemia Hyperthyroidism Hypothyroidism Liver disease Lyme disease Lymphoma Malnutrition Medications Mixed connective tissue disease Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Related Related posts: ARTHRITIS AND ARTHRALGIA GYNECOMASTIA INFERTILITY, MALE SYNCOPE Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel Join Tags: Instant Work-ups A Clinical Guide to Medicine Aug 17, 2016 | Posted by admin in PEDIATRICS | Comments Off on FATIGUE Full access? Get Clinical Tree
22 FATIGUE General Discussion Fatigue is defined as a subjective state of sustained lack of energy or exhaustion with a decreased capacity for physical and mental work which persists despite sufficient rest. Fatigue is one of the most common complaints in adults presenting for primary care in the United States and must be differentiated from weakness or exertional difficulties. Acute viral syndromes are a common cause of fatigue and usually are self-limited. Fatigue that persists longer than one month generally warrants investigation. Although fatigue usually is the symptom of which the patient complains, a careful history often will reveal associated symptoms. A targeted physical examination may lead to additional diagnostic clues. A laboratory examination may not be required in all cases of fatigue, but targeted testing may help the clinician reveal the cause of the patient’s symptoms. Depression is the most common cause of clinically important fatigue in patients presenting for primary care. Fatigue is common in the elderly population and may represent part of the normal aging process. However, fatigue should not be attributed to advanced age alone. Rather, fatigue as a consequence of advanced age should be a diagnosis of exclusion. Medications Associated with Fatigue Almost every medication may cause fatigue and should be considered in the evaluation of the patient with fatigue. The following categories of medications are more common causes of fatigue. Antihistamines Benzodiazepines Beta blockers Blood pressure medications Diuretics Glucocorticoids Narcotic pain medications NSAIDs Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors Sleeping medications Tricyclic antidepressants Causes of Fatigue Addison’s disease Advancing age Alcohol abuse Allergic rhinitis Amebiasis Anemia Anorexia nervosa Bipolar disorder Blastomycosis Bulimia nervosa Cancer Carbon monoxide poisoning Chemotherapy COPD Chronic sinusitis Coccidiomycosis Cushing’s disease Cytomegalovirus infection Dementia Depression Dermatomyositis Diabetes Domestic abuse Drug abuse Endocarditis Epstein–Barr virus syndrome Fibromyalgia Giardiasis Heart failure Heavy metal exposure Helminth infestation Hepatitis B or C Histoplasmosis Hypercalcemia Hyperthyroidism Hypothyroidism Liver disease Lyme disease Lymphoma Malnutrition Medications Mixed connective tissue disease Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Related Related posts: ARTHRITIS AND ARTHRALGIA GYNECOMASTIA INFERTILITY, MALE SYNCOPE Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel Join Tags: Instant Work-ups A Clinical Guide to Medicine Aug 17, 2016 | Posted by admin in PEDIATRICS | Comments Off on FATIGUE Full access? Get Clinical Tree
