Fatigue
	What is fatigue and why do you get tired? Fatigue as a concept is extremely hard to define, since everybody has their own idea of what being tired means. Everybody is tired once in a while, and the most common reason is, of course, lack of sleep. Fatigue could also be caused by a wide range of illnesses and diseases. In such cases, a person usually finds they suddenly - or even gradually - need more and more rest and sleep. This may affect the person's work performance.  Fatigue is also common when you are feeling down. How much sleep do you need? The need for sleep can vary quite a lot between individuals, although it is usual to require less and less sleep as you get older. Small children often need a lot of sleep. Toddlers, for example, might need between 14 to 16 hours a day. The need slowly declines through childhood, although most schoolchildren will need at least 10 to 12 hours of sleep to be at their best during the day. It does not help children if they are allowed to stay up late but then hauled out of bed the next morning. A good night's sleep seems to help concentration and improve the immune system (minimising the risk of illness). Most adults need six to eight hours of sleep, but again this can differ from one person to another.  What causes fatigue? The following illnesses and situations frequently include symptoms of fatigue:  Anaemia Anaemia due to a lack of iron is most often seen in women who have prolonged or heavy periods. This causes loss of blood every month meaning that more iron is needed in the diet. Other conditions that can give rise to anaemia include: Pregnancy In times of rapid growth in children, certain small intestinal diseases or syndromes that lower the amount of nutrition they can absorb (gluten-intolerance or Crohn's disease, for example) can lead to iron deficiency anaemia.  Any cause of bleeding from the stomach or intestines, eg ulcers, polyps, piles (haemorrhoids)  Lack of folic acid or vitamin B12 .  Infections It is quite normal for fatigue to be brought on by various infections. After a bout of flu, for instance, a person can be tired for a couple of weeks. Sometimes a person may only notice a disease or illnesses because they have fatigue. This can be true of glandular fever, Lyme Disease and AIDS. Depression A person can easily get tired if he or she is depressed or experiencing emotional stress. Depression which requires medical help often shows itself through heavy fatigue. A specific tendency towards fatigue during the winter can be a sign of winter depression, which nowadays can be treated successfully. Cancers Most forms of cancer cause fatigue at least to a certain degree. Therefore, it is extremely important to visit a doctor if a person is experiencing fatigue that seems to have no specific cause (insomnia etc). Cancer can also manifest itself as lack of appetite and weight loss.  Metabolism For people with a low metabolism rate (if their body is slow to turn food into energy), fatigue and an increased need for sleep can become extreme. People who suspect that their metabolism rate is too low should see a doctor, as there are effective treatments available.  A high metabolism rate can also cause fatigue. In such cases, a high pulse rate makes it difficult to rest and leads to profound tiredness and a feeling of being unfit. There are also readily available treatments for this disorder.  Diabetes Diabetes is another illness that can cause fatigue. Diabetes must be diagnosed and treated to stop it getting worse. A diagnosis can usually be made from a simple blood test.  Other causes There are a number of other conditions that also cause fatigue. One of the most controversial is chronic fatigue syndrome, which is a condition that causes exhaustion and fatigue without explanation. There is no hard and fast test for this syndrome, but these days it is diagnosed 'by exclusion'. This means that if doctors have tested for everything else without success, this is the only possibility left.  What can I do? First and foremost, it is important to ensure that you lead a healthy life. This means a good diet, exercise, and plenty of sleep. Vitamins and minerals are necessary for many of the processes in the body, and a healthy diet ensures that the body can function at its best.  It may sound strange but lack of exercise can increase feelings of fatigue. If you're not used to doing exercise, long walks are a good way to start. A form of exercise such as swimming which involves all the major muscle groups is to be recommended. What should I do if the fatigue continues? Try to ascertain whether the fatigue is simply due to prolonged lack of sleep. If this can be excluded, and the fatigue has gone on for three to four weeks, it might be a good idea to see a doctor for a check-up. This is particularly important if you are suffering from other symptoms such as: Night sweats Pale mucous membranes in the nose and mouth Blood in bowel motions (faeces) Swollen lymph glands Severe thirst  Although these symptoms might indicate a serious underlying condition, it is just as likely that they can be relieved quite easily with the help of a doctor.