Saturday, May 12, 2018

4 Hours

When a chronically ill person says “I’m tired” and you say “yeah me too I got 4 hours of sleep last night,” please understand that you and that person are not talking about the same kind of tiredness. (Anonymous)

 When your immune system is fighting a disease, it requires energy. It’s not surprising that a number of diseases have fatigue as the leading symptom. Fatigue is different than being tired. When you are tired you know that you can just get some sleep you will be fine, but fatigue is still there when you wake up. It stays with you all day.  It is a lack of energy, a felling of mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion.” (Facebook Fibromyalgia Support)

 People underestimate the effects of psychological stress on energy levels. After the stress is gone, people realize what was making them tired. Society builds the belief that you should be busy all the time, but that's not sustainable. Here are eight illnesses with fatigue as the major symptom. You will also find the symptoms associated with each illness to help you identify one from another.

 
1.   Adrenal insufficiency: This is a disease where the adrenal glands don't work well, and so you don't make enough cortisol. Light-headedness, weight loss, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and hyperpigmentation (or patches of skin that are a little darker than the rest of your skin)are all associated symptoms.

 

2.   An underactive thyroid: Your thyroid is a small gland located at the base of your neck that regulates everything from your energy levels to your metabolism and immune function. Thyroid issues are common. 11 million people in the U.S. suffer from hypothyroidism.  While a lack of energy tends to be the first and most prominent symptom of an underactive thyroid, weight gain, constipation, dry skin, and feeling cold all the time are associated symptoms to watch out for.

 

3.   Anemia : Anemia is a condition in which the blood does not have enough healthy, oxygen-carrying red blood cells. "There are many types of anemia, all of which are linked with fatigue. Iron or B12 deficiencies, very heavy periods, or polyps are common causes of anemia, each coming with its own form of treatment. Along with fatigue, a pale complexion is also a common anemia symptom. So are brittle nails, a racing heart, dizziness, and headaches.

 

4.   Chronic fatigue syndrome: The hallmark of this disease, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, is debilitating fatigue. Like, the kind of fatigue that makes almost any daily task impossible. Roughly 25% of sufferers are house- or bedridden by the disease. Aches, pains, and foggy thinking are also common symptoms among sufferers. Experts think the condition may have to do with out-of-control inflammation triggered by even light activity.

 

5.   Clinical depression: Depression is a brain disorder that can result in low mood and crippling fatigue. Fatigue can make it hard for people to leave their homes or summon the energy for even simple daily tasks. Sadness, loss of appetite, and problems concentrating are all associated symptoms. 

 

6.   Diabetes: Along with excessive thirst and frequent urination, fatigue is often one of the first and most persistent symptoms of diabetes. Your body is struggling to manage the amount of glucose in your blood, and that can result in severe exhaustion. 

 

7.   Endocarditis: The infection or inflammation comes from bacteria in your blood attaching to the inner lining of your heart. People who have existing heart damage or who have artificial heart valves are most at risk. Fevers and chills are also common symptoms. Treatment includes antimicrobial therapy as well as surgery in some cases.

 

8.   Sleep apnea: Constricted or blocked airways, this disorder shows up as shallow breathing or extended pauses in breathing during sleep. Those pauses can last up to a minute, and tend to resolve themselves with a snort or cough. All those breathing interruptions disrupt your sleep, which leaves you feeling tired during the day. Heavy snoring is a related symptom. But it's really something only a bedmate could help you identify.

 

Sometimes I can hear God saying, “Just do it. Pick up the phone, mail the note, sit and watch the birds, read a book for a few minutes, and don’t worry about the dishes. Your fatigue makes you procrastinate, and then you feel more stress. Trust Me. Do something even if it is to choose to rest, and do nothing. Take action, and I will be here with you. (Lisa Copen)  [i]

 


[i] Adapted from: “8 Diseases That Have Fatigue as the Main Symptom” by Markham Heid
 
 

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