Fatigue

Fibromyalgia Slideshow

• Fatigue Overview
• Fatigue Causes
• Fatigue Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Exams and Tests
• Fatigue Treatment
• Medical Treatment
• Next Steps
• Prevention
• Outlook
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors

Fatigue Overview

Fatigue is a common health complaint. It is, however, one of the hardest terms to define, and a symptom of many different conditions.

Fatigue, also known as weariness, tiredness, exhaustion, or lethargy, is generally defined as a feeling of lack of energy. Fatigue is not the same as drowsiness, but the desire to sleep may accompany fatigue. Apathy is a feeling of indifference that may accompany fatigue or exist independently.

Fatigue is common. Around 20% of Americans claim to have fatigue intense enough to interfere with their having a normal life. Physical causes are estimated at 20-60%, and emotional causes are the other 40-80%. The challenge is how to tell what is causing your fatigue and whether it is serious enough to see your doctor.