Fatigue: Don’t Ignore Your Body’s Silent Scream, warns Expert
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Samsun, Turkey – That persistent feeling of tiredness could be more than just a busy schedule. according to Dr. Özgür Kılıç, a faculty member in the Department of Internal Medicine at Samsun Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU), fatigue and weakness are often the body’s way of signaling a deeper issue. These seemingly simple complaints can be early indicators of a wide range of health problems, from common vitamin deficiencies to more serious underlying diseases.
Dr. Kılıç notes that a significant number of patients presenting for treatment report experiencing weakness and fatigue,often alongside other symptoms. While the causes vary, he emphasizes that in generally healthy individuals, deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals are frequently to blame.
“we commonly see deficiencies in B12, vitamin D, and folate in lab results,” explains Dr. Kılıç. “Iron deficiency anemia is also prevalent, particularly among young women and individuals with limited meat consumption. Irregular eating habits, a fast-paced lifestyle, and chronic stress all contribute to these deficiencies.”
The Link Between Stress and Morning Muscle Pain
The causes of fatigue become more complex in older individuals or those with pre-existing chronic conditions. Dr. Kılıç points to “polypharmacy” – the use of multiple medications – as a potential culprit. “Drug interactions and side effects can exacerbate feelings of weakness and fatigue. For example, overly aggressive blood pressure medication in hypertension patients can cause dizziness, weakness, and balance problems. Adjusting the dosage can often provide relief.” Though, he cautions that persistent issues may require a complete re-evaluation of the treatment plan if underlying conditions like high blood sugar, uncontrolled blood pressure, or worsening heart failure are present.
Interestingly, Dr. Kılıç also highlights a connection between stress and physical pain. “Individuals who wake up with muscle pain, but show no signs of rheumatic disease in testing, may be experiencing fibromyalgia. This condition is particularly common in those with perfectionist tendencies and high stress levels - frequently enough referred to as muscle or neural rheumatism.”
When to Seek Medical Attention
Fatigue accompanied by symptoms like forgetfulness, chills, heart palpitations, or muscle weakness warrants further inquiry. Dr. Kılıç advises considering a broad differential diagnosis, including anxiety disorders, thyroid or adrenal gland dysfunction, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and electrolyte imbalances.
“In cases of unexplained fatigue, especially when coupled with weight loss, night sweats, abdominal pain, or swelling, it’s crucial to rule out more serious conditions like cancer, infection, inflammatory diseases, and cirrhosis.”
A Word of Caution on Supplements: Dr. Kılıç strongly discourages self-treating with vitamins, omega-3s, or collagen without a doctor’s recommendation. “Often, these supplements simply mask underlying problems and delay accurate diagnosis.Supplementation should always be guided by a physician and based on laboratory results.”
Ultimately, Dr. Kılıç emphasizes that fatigue, while frequently enough dismissed, is a vital signal from the body.”Fatigue and weakness are often a silent scream.Don’t ignore it – it might very well be a harbinger of a wide range of diseases.”
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