Home » Symptoms » Tiredness and Fatigue

Tiredness and Fatigue

Tiredness, also known as fatigue, can affect anyone at any age. Many conditions can cause fatigue, including some neurological ones. If you or someone you know is experiencing persistent fatigue, seeking medical attention is vital. Our experienced consultant can determine the cause and provide appropriate treatment to alleviate your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Make Appointment

Symptoms of fatigue

Other symptoms you may experience alongside fatigue include:

Headaches or dizziness
Sore or aching muscles and joints
Difficulty concentrating
Slowed reflexes and responses
Impaired decision-making and judgment
Irritability

In severe cases, these can lead to sleep disturbances and insomnia, worsening your symptoms.

Causes

Many neurologic illnesses cause fatigue, including multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, myasthenia gravis, traumatic brain or spinal injury, and strokes. Fatigue might feel minor but it can have a big impact; 40% of people with MS say it is the symptom that impacts their quality of life the most.

Lifestyle factors, such as poor sleep patterns, a lack of exercise, or unhealthy eating habits, can cause fatigue. Some other medical conditions, such as anaemia, thyroid disorders, or depression, can also cause fatigue.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also called chronic fatigue syndrome, is a disorder that affects up to 250,000 people in the UK, but its causes are unknown. You might be more likely to have ME if someone else in your family does. For some people, having a bacterial or viral infection can trigger ME.

MS is another condition that can cause you to experience fatigue, according to the NHS, it is one of the most common causes of fatigue in younger adults. In MS, your immune system attacks the outer layers of your nerves, causing inflammation which jumbles the nerve signals to your brain. You might also be more likely to have MS if someone in your family does, but the exact cause isn’t known.
Diagnosis

Diagnosing neurological conditions related to fatigue can be difficult. Symptoms may vary between people or fluctuate during the day. Women often find that symptoms worsen at different times in their menstrual cycle.

There’s no single test to detect ME/CFS. We can make a diagnosis after other possible conditions have been ruled out. We will ask for information about your health, family history, and symptoms. We might also order blood and urine tests. The earlier we diagnose it, the sooner we can support you in managing your symptoms.
Treatment

Lifestyle changes might help manage your symptoms. These include exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep. If an underlying medical condition contributes to or causes tiredness, we will try to treat it to improve your energy levels. Our specialists will be able to recommend the most suitable treatment depending on your condition and symptoms.

Some conditions don’t yet have cures, so our specialists will support you in managing your individual symptoms. For example, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help treat your symptoms if you have ME or MS. You might also be prescribed medication to help manage your pain or relax muscle spasms in MS.

Contact Us

Ten Harley Street Limited
10 Harley Street
London W1G 9PF
United Kingdom

Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Call: 07954 847 479