Journal of Nutritional Disorders & Therapy

Fatigue Disorders

Fatigue (either physical, mental or both) is a symptom that may be difficult for the patient to describe and words like lethargic, exhausted and tired may be used. Fatigue can be described as a lack of energy and motivation (both physical and mental). This is different than drowsiness, a term that describes the need to sleep. Often a person complains of feeling tired and it is up to the health care professional to distinguish between fatigue and drowsiness, though both can occur at the same time. Aside from drowsiness, other symptoms can be confused with fatigue including shortness of breath with activity and muscle weakness. Again, all these symptoms can occur at the same time. Also, fatigue can be a normal response to physical and mental activity; in most normal individuals it is quickly relieved (usually in hours to about a day, depending on the intensity of the activity) by reducing the activity.

The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is unknown, although there are many theories — ranging from viral infections to psychological stress. Some experts believe chronic fatigue syndrome might be triggered by a combination of factors. There's no single test to confirm a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome. You may need a variety of medical tests to rule out other health problems that have similar symptoms. Treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome focuses on symptom relief.

Related Journals of Fatigue Disorders

Journal of Nutritional Disorders & Therapy, Sleep Disorders & Therapy, Sleep Disorders: Treatment & Care, Medical Case Reports, Medical & Clinical Reviews, Journal of Nutrition, Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology, Nutrition Hospitalaria, Revista de Nutricao, Malaysian Journal of Nutrition, Nutrition Reviews, Nutrition Bulletin