Ratgeber Fatigue Syndrom
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Causes of fatigue
Fatigue appears as a symptom of several diseases. It is mostly mentioned in the context of cancer. Other diseases which cause fatigue are autoimmune diseases, chronic infections and mental disorders. Besides the physical impact of these diseases the often long-term and exhausting therapeutic measures are responsible for the genesis of fatigue.
Cancer-related fatigue
Although the exact causes of fatigue have not been explored yet, some factors are being ensured to cause the exhaustion. If the fatigue is caused by cancer it is the tumour’s cells that produce a substance which causes anaemia, fever or loss of weight. These changes weaken the patient and cause exhaustion and tiredness. Therapeutic measures like chemotherapy and radiation therapy do not only have an impact on the cancer but also upon healthy cells which are being destroyed. Psychologically, the life threatening impact cancer can have, can also challenge the patient’s energy account.
Symptoms
Typical symptoms of fatigue are a long-term tiredness and lassitude even though the patient sleeps regularly and sufficiently. Due to the mental impact a chronic disease has upon the patient, insomnia can occur and enforce the exhaustion. Many patients do not depict fatigue as a medical symptom because they expect the signs to be side effects of the disease. Therefore they do not report the symptoms to their doctor and cannot use the methods of treatment. Listlessness, a depressive mood and a low frustration tolerance can be depicted as further symptoms of fatigue.
Combination of multiple facts
The cause of fatigue is being seen as a combination of multiple facts and therefore develops for different reasons. The treatment of an illness can cause changes of the metabolism, the hormone level and brain functions. In this context, an impact upon the hypothalamus, the brain region responsible for alertness and attention, is being presumed. Modifications in the metabolism of fats and proteins lead to muscle disorders and the loss of energy. Mental stresses and strains in the context of chronic diseases can be the cause as well as a symptom of a fatigue.
The destruction of cells
The treatment of cancer with chemotherapy does not only involve the destruction of cancer cells but also of healthy cells. Several types of cells are being destroyed: white blood cells (leukocytes), red blood cells (erythrocytes) and blood plates (thrombocytes). The loss of leukocytes leads to a weakening of the body’s immune reaction, the loss of erythrocytes and thrombocytes cause a lack of oxygen in the organs and anaemia.
Barbara Kliem
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