Fatigue

Fatigue occurs daily in everybody’s lives as a natural part of our biological process. Chronic fatigue is persistent daily fatigue that usually limits functional ability. It is not the same as chronic fatigue syndrome, which is a specific disorder.

Even if a person has fatigue from a known disease like rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, or fibromyalgia there are many factors that can contribute to the fatigue. These factors may include:

• Medication side effects (Some sleeping pills can cause fatigue the next day)
• Poor sleep quality
• Lack of exercise and physical deconditioning
• Inadequate nutrition and irregular meals
• Rebound fatigue from caffeine wearing off
• Stress
• Pain
• Depression
• Over activity or poor pacing of activity
• Lying down too much in bed, on the couch, or in a reclining chair
• Unrealistic expectations about one’s responsibilities and physical capacity
• Dehydration
• Boredom
• Constipation
• Medical conditions: cardiovascular, cardiopulmonary, anemia, hypothyroidism

All of these contributing factors can be reduced or eliminated, resulting in improved energy, mood, and sleep.

The Solutions for Wellness program helps people develop a holistic, self-management plan for reducing fatigue and increasing energy and functional ability.