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Signs
and symptoms:
- Feel
drained of energy
- Have
a very hard time
doing normal activities
and school work
- Have
low motivation and
may miss classes
frequently
- Feel
inadequate
- Have
little desire for
sex
[Go
to Self-Care Prevention]
Still
not sure? Ask yourself
with these questions.
1.
With debilitating fatigue,
do you have signs and
symptoms of mononucleosis?
- Fever
- Sore
throat
- Swollen
lymph glands in the
neck area
- Loss
of appetite
- Pain
in the upper left
abdominal area
If yes to
one of these symptoms
described above, please
see your doctor.
If no,
continue on to the
next question.
2.
With fatigue, do you
also have these signs
and symptoms of hepatitis?
- The
whites of your eyes
and/or skin look yellow
(jaundice).
- Dark
urine
- Vomiting
and nausea
- Loss
of weight or appetite
- Pain
in the abdomen
- Fever
- Stools
that are pale and clay-colored
If yes to
one of these symptoms
described above, please
see your doctor.
If no,
continue on to the
next question.
3.
With fatigue and weakness,
do you have any of the
following signs of diabetes?
- Constant
urination
- Abnormally
increased thirst and
increased hunger
- Rapid
weight loss or excessive
weight gain
- Extreme
irritability
- Nausea
and vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Itching
and/or skin infections
that don't clear up
easily
- Tingling,
numbness, or pain in
the arms and legs
- Blurred
vision
If yes to
one of these symptoms
described above, please
see your doctor.
If no,
continue on to the
next question.
4.
With fatigue, do you
have signs and symptoms
of hypothyroidism?
- Hair
loss and dry, thick,
flaky skin
- Decreased
tolerance to cold temperatures
and numbness or tingling
in the hands
- Unexplained
weight gain
- Constipation
- Sleepiness;
feeling mentally sluggish
- For
females, longer and
heavier menstrual periods
If yes to
one of these symptoms
described above, please
see your doctor.
If no,
continue on to the
next question.
5.
With fatigue, do you
have other signs and
symptoms of multiple
sclerosis?
- Blurred
vision, double vision,
or the loss of vision
in one eye
- Bladder
problems (frequent
urination, urgency,
infection, as well
as incontinence)
- Feelings
of pins and needles
in the extremites
- Muscle
spasms
- Poor
coordination (trembling
on the hand)
- Emotional
mood swings, irritability,
depression, anxiety,
euphora
If yes to
one of these symptoms
described above, please
see your doctor.
If no,
continue on to the
next question.
6.
With fatique, do you
have any of these signs
and symptoms of lupus?
- Joint
pain for more than
3 months
- Fingers
that get pale, numb,
or uncomfortable in
the cold
- Mouth
sores for more than
two weeks
- Low
blood counts from anemia,
low white-cell count,
or low platelet count
- A
rash on your cheeks
for more than 1 month
- Skin
rash after being in
the sun
- Pain
for more than 2 days
when taking deep breaths
If yes to
one of these symptoms
described above, please
see your doctor.
If no,
continue on to the
next question.
7.
With fatigue and weakness,
do you have signs and
symptoms of anemia?
- Shortness
of breath with exertion
- Paleness
of the skin or paleness
around the grums, nail
beds, and/or linings
of the lower eyelids
- Headache
If yes to
one of these symptoms
described above, please
see your doctor.
If no,
continue on to the
next question.
8.
With fatigue, do you
have other signs
and symptoms of depression?
If yes to
one of these symptoms
described above, please
see your doctor.
If no,
continue on to the
next question.
9.
With debilitating fatigue,
do you have signs and
symptoms of fibromyalgia?
- Muscle
pain for more than
2 weeks
- Flu-like
symptoms
- Insomia
- Mental
fogginess
- Headache
If yes to
one of these symptoms
described above, please
see your doctor.
If no,
continue on to the
next question.
10.
Are any of the following
conditions associated
with the fatigue?
- It
occured for no apparent
reason, lasted for
more than 2 weeks,
and has kept you from
doing your usual activities.
- The
fatigue started after
taking medicine.
- For
a female, the fatigue
hits hard right before
or after each monthly
menstrual period.
- Pregnancy
is a possibility.
If yes to
one of these symptoms
described above, please
see your doctor.
If no to
all questions, use
self-care prevention.
Self-Care
Prevention
- Be
organized. Use
a daily/weekly/montly
planner to keep
abreast of everything
you need to do.
Prioritize daily
tasks, semester
goals, etc. Make
sure to plan
time for exercise,
eating, recreation,
and sleep. Contact
your student
Mental Health
Services or your
academic counselor
if you need help
or feel overwhelmed.
- Take
only the number
of semester credits
you can handle.
- Don't
overextend yourself
in extracurricular
activities.
- Eat
well. Eating
too much and "crash
dieting" are
both hard on
your body. Don't
skip breakfast.
Limit high-fat
and/or rich,
sugary snacks.
Eat whole-grain
breads and cereals
and raw fruits
and vegetables.
Keep healthy
snacks or meal
replacement bars
in your backpack
to eat when you
don't have time
to have a meal.
- Get
regular physical
exercise. Use
your school's
fitness facilities
and/or participate
in organized
sports, etc.
- Do
something for
yourself. Do
things that also
meet your needs,
not just those
of others.
- Avoid
too much caffeine
and alcohol.
Don't abuse drugs.
Don't use over-the-counter
diet pills and
stay awake pills.
- Repeated
use of these
can make you
anxious, jittery,
and unable to
sleep.
- If
fatigue is due
to a medical
condition, follow
your health care
provider's guidelines
regarding rest,
diet, medication,
etc.
- Set
up good sleep
habits.
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