In the 'Symptoms - General' section of our in-depth questionnaire we ask the following question about having constant fatigue:
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Do you have fatigue that is present most of the time, not improved by ordinary sleep? In other words, do you wake up tired or not have the energy to do what you want to, even after a good night of sleep?
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Your answer |
...indicates |
...and suggests |
| 1. |
"Don't know" |
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| 2. |
"No" |
Not having constant fatigue |
A symptom |
| 3. |
"It is a slight problem but I function quite well" |
Constant fatigue |
A symptom |
| 4. |
"Moderate problem - I can not function sometimes" |
Constant fatigue |
A symptom |
| 5. |
"Major problem - I am unable to perform my duties" |
Constant fatigue |
A symptom |
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Your answer will affect the likelihoods of the conditions below.
Any answers in green reduce the likelihood of the condition.
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| Answers |
Condition |
Comment |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
AIDS |
Fatigue can be one of the most debilitating symptoms experienced by people with HIV disease, as well as one of the most under-reported and under-recognized aspects. The rate of fatigue increases as the disease progresses and women are more likely to experience fatigue than men. HIV-positive men with CD4 cell counts below 500 cells/ml experienced more fatigue than men with CD4 cell counts above 500. However, studies so far have not found a consistent correlation between viral load and fatigue. The fatigue may be due to anemia, depression, the HIV virus, secondary infections, hormone deficiency (testosterone, adrenal exhaustion), malnutrition, poor sleep quality or quantity, inactivity, or drug side-effects. |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Allergic Tension Fatigue Syndrome |
-- |
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2 |
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Andropause/Male Menopause |
(Men only) |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Andropause/Male Menopause |
(Men only) |
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2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Anemia (Iron deficiency) |
-- |
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2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Anemia (Uncommon Nutritional) |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Aspartame Side-Effects |
-- |
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4 |
5 |
Babesiosis |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Bacterial Dysbiosis |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Caffeine Intoxication |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Calming / Stretching Exercise Need |
A British study of 71 healthy volunteers aged 21 to 76 found that a daily 30 minute program of yogic stretching and breathing exercises had an invigorating effect on mental and physical energy and mood. |
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2 |
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Chronic Fatigue / Fibromyalgia Syndrome |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Chronic Fatigue / Fibromyalgia Syndrome |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Chronic Renal Insufficiency |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Cirrhosis of the Liver |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Copper Toxicity |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Dehydration |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Depression |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Dermatomyositis |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Diabetes Type I |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Diabetes Type II |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Effects of a Low Carbohydrate Diet |
One study found that all those subjected to carb-free diet complained of fatigue after just two days. "This complaint was characterized by a feeling of physical lack of energy... The subjects all felt that they did not have sufficient energy to continue normal activity after the third day. This fatigue promptly disappeared after the addition of carbohydrate to the diet." [Arch Internal med 112(1963): p.333] |
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4 |
5 |
Ehrlichiosis |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Electrical Hypersensitivity |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Environmental Illness / MCS |
Daytime grogginess is a possible symptom of environmental illness. |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Estrogens Low |
(Women only) |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Excess Water Consumption |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Fluoride Toxicity |
Unusual and excessive sleepiness/fatigue is a symptom. |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
General Detoxification Requirement |
-- |
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4 |
5 |
Glomerulonephritis |
Many patients with even mild IgAN report extreme fatigue. |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Hemochromatosis (Iron overload) |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Hemolytic Anemia |
-- |
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2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Hepatitis |
-- |
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2 |
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Hypothyroidism |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Hypothyroidism |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Kidney Disease |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Liver Function That Should Be Checked |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Low Adrenal Function / Adrenal Insufficiency |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Low Melatonin Level |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Lupus, SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythromatosis) |
-- |
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4 |
5 |
Lyme Disease |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Magnesium Requirement |
Early symptoms of magnesium deficiency can include fatigue, anorexia, irritability, insomnia, and muscle tremors or twitching. |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Malaria |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Manganese Requirement |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Mercury Toxicity (Amalgam Illness) |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Myocarditis |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Nephrotic Syndrome |
As nephrotic syndrome progresses, the patient feels increasingly weak and fatigued. |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) |
The frequent arousals caused by OSA and the inability to achieve or maintain the deep stages of sleep can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness and nonrestorative sleep. Patients often complain of waking up feeling like they had not slept at all, and often feel worse after taking a nap than before napping. |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Ovarian Cancer |
(Women only) |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Progesterone Low or Estrogen Dominance |
(Women only) |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Sarcoidosis |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Silicone Breast Implant Problems |
(Women only) |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Stress |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Ulcerative Colitis |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Vitamin A Toxicity |
-- |
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3 |
4 |
5 |
Vitamin B12 Requirement |
-- |
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GLOSSARY
Adrenal Insufficiency (Adrenal Exhaustion, Low Adrenal Function)
A condition in which the adrenal gland is compromised in its production of epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, corticosterone or aldosterone. Symptoms include primarily fatigue, weakness, decreased appetite with ensuing weight loss, as well as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, or increased pigmentation of the skin. Cortical insufficiency (low or no corticosteroids) produces a more serious condition called Addison’s Disease, characterized by extreme weakness, low blood pressure, pigmentation of the skin, shock or even death.
Anemia (Anaemia, Anemias)
A condition resulting from an unusually low number of red blood cells or too little hemoglobin in the red blood cells. The most common type is iron-deficiency anemia in which the red blood cells are reduced in size and number, and hemoglobin levels are low. Clinical symptoms include shortness of breath, lethargy and heart palpitations.
Anorexia Nervosa (Anorexia)
An eating disorder characterized by excess control - a morbid fear of obesity leads the sufferer to try and limit or reduce their weight by excessive dieting, exercising, vomiting, purging and use of diuretics. Sufferers are typically more than 15% below the average weight for their height/sex/age and typically have amenorrhea (if female) or low libido (if male). 1-2% of female teenagers are anorexic.
Carbohydrates (Carbohydrate)
The sugars and starches in food. Sugars are called simple carbohydrates and found in such foods as fruit and table sugar. Complex carbohydrates are composed of large numbers of sugar molecules joined together, and are found in grains, legumes, and vegetables like potatoes, squash, and corn.
CD4
A symbol for glycoprotein expressed on the surface of some lymphocytes, including Helper T-cells. Human CD4 is the receptor that serves as a docking site for HIV viruses on certain lymphocyte cells. Binding of the viral glycoprotein gp120 to CD4 is the first step in viral entry, leading to the fusion of viral and cell membrane. White blood cells are composed primarily of neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are either T-cells or B-cells. T-cells (CD3 cells) are divided into T-helper (CD4 cells) and T-suppressor/cytotoxic (CD8 cells) cells.
Hormones (Hormone)
Chemical substances secreted by a variety of body organs that are carried by the bloodstream and usually influence cells some distance from the source of production. Hormones signal certain enzymes to perform their functions and, in this way, regulate such body functions as blood sugar levels, insulin levels, the menstrual cycle, and growth. These can be prescription, over-the-counter, synthetic or natural agents. Examples include adrenal hormones such as corticosteroids and aldosterone; glucagon, growth hormone, insulin, testosterone, estrogens, progestins, progesterone, DHEA, melatonin, and thyroid hormones such as thyroxine and calcitonin.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
A retrovirus associated with onset of advanced immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Magnesium
An essential mineral. The chief function of magnesium is to activate certain enzymes, especially those related to carbohydrate metabolism. Another role is to maintain the electrical potential across nerve and muscle membranes. It is essential for proper heartbeat and nerve transmission. Magnesium controls many cellular functions. It is involved in protein formation, DNA production and function and in the storage and release of energy in ATP. Magnesium is closely related to calcium and phosphorus in body function. The average adult body contains approximately one ounce of magnesium. It is the fifth mineral in abundance within the body--behind calcium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium. Although about 70 percent of the body's magnesium is contained in the teeth and bones, its most important functions are carried out by the remainder which is present in the cells of the soft tissues and in the fluid surrounding those cells.
Milliliter (mL)
0.001 or one thousandth of a liter.
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (Chemical Hypersensitivity, Environmental Illness, MCS)
The diagnostic label of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is being applied increasingly, although definition of the phenomenon is elusive. MCS has become more widely known and increasingly controversial as more patients receive the label. Persons with the label of multiple chemical sensitivity are said to suffer multisystem illnesses as a result of contact with - or proximity to - a spectrum of substances, including airborne agents. These may include both recognized pollutants and other pollutants ordinarily considered harmless. Some doctors believe that MCS is a purely psychological issue. Others, however, counter that the disorder can cause the kinds of problems that keep those who are affected from leading a normal life.
Syndrome
A medical condition characterized by a collection of related symptoms (what the patient feels) and signs (what a doctor can observe or measure).
Testosterone
The principal male sex hormone that induces and maintains the changes that take place in males at puberty. In men, the testicles continue to produce testosterone throughout life, though there is some decline with age. A naturally occurring androgenic hormone.
Virus (Viri, Viruses)
Any of a vast group of minute structures composed of a protein coat and a core of DNA and/or RNA that reproduces in the cells of the infected host. Capable of infecting all animals and plants, causing devastating disease in immunocompromised individuals. Viruses are not affected by antibiotics, and are completely dependent upon the cells of the infected host for the ability to reproduce.
Last updated: May 10, 2007
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