Take Fatigue Seriously, Says Researcher

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Take Fatigue Seriously, Says Researcher

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/01/070131112341.htm

Instead of dismissing grumblings about being tired or exhausted,

people should take these complaints seriously before they lead to a

worsened health state or even death, says a University of Alberta

researcher investigating fatigue.

Dr. Karin Olson, a U of A professor from the Faculty of Nursing,

argues that there are differences between tiredness, fatigue and

exhaustion and that recognizing those distinctions will help health-

care workers create better treatment plans for their patients. Her

findings are published in the current issue of " Oncology Nursing

Forum. "

Olson has studied fatigue in six ill and non-ill populations: shift

workers, recreational long distance runners, individuals with cancer

in active treatment or palliative settings, and individuals

diagnosed with depression or chronic fatigue syndrome. Having worked

with cancer patients for many years, she saw how serious fatigue was

and the impact it had on the patients' quality of life. Some

patients even withdrew for a potentially curative treatment saying

they were " too tired. "

" The kind of fatigue experienced by individuals with cancer is

different from the feeling that you or I have at the end of a busy

week, " said Olson. " Interestingly, when you start looking at other

populations, such as people with chronic illnesses or shift workers

and take a broad view, the descriptions of fatigue are the same.

Thus, while the reasons for fatigue may vary, the kinds of

adaptations required may not. "

Olson, who is currently an Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical

Research (AHFMR) Health Scholar, has created new definitions for

tiredness, fatigue and exhaustion and argues that they represent

various points on an energy continuum. The amount of energy a person

has influences how easily he can adapt to stress that comes his way.

Individuals who are tired still have a fair bit of energy, so

although they may feel forgetful, and impatient, and experience

gradual heaviness or weakness in muscles following work, this is

often alleviated by rest. Fatigue, on the other hand, is

characterized by difficulty concentrating, anxiety, a gradual

decrease in stamina, difficulty sleeping, increased sensitivity to

light and the limiting of social activities once viewed as

important. Individuals with exhaustion report frank confusion that

resembles delirium, emotional numbness, sudden loss of energy,

difficulty both in staying awake and in sleeping and complete social

withdrawal.

" It is important to recognize the difference between tiredness and

fatigue, because fatigue is a marker that the body is not able to

keep up, " says Olson. " The onset of the manifestations of fatigue,

particularly if these are not normal states for you, should be taken

seriously. "

Failing to understand the distinctions between tiredness, fatigue

and exhaustion could result in the use of inappropriate

interventions that inadvertently promote fatigue and exhaustion.

Olson has some evidence that while exercise appears to help those

who are tired, it may decrease the ability to adapt in individuals

experiencing fatigue and exhaustion. Long-term use of caffeine and

other stimulants should also be avoided by people experiencing

fatigue and exhaustion, as these substances " fool " the body into

thinking it has more energy available than it really does.

" The important thing is to try to prevent or at least delay the

progression from tiredness to fatigue and then from fatigue to

exhaustion, " said Olson. " We are starting to work on some

interventions that we think may be helpful. In the meantime,

families and friends can help by recognizing changes consistent with

fatigue and exhaustion and look for ways to help minimize stress. "

This work may also have applications to other population, such as

students or individuals with chronic illnesses, who have not been

studied to date. " Students tend to stay up late at night, studying

hard, " said Olson. " Some studies show that changes in sleep patterns

are may compromise one's ability to remember things and to integrate

new information.

" We're a long way from having all the answers but this study was a

start. It has provided us with a great foundation for future

research among individuals with cancer and other groups ranging

from 'burned out' workers to recreational athletes and people with

chronic diseases. "

Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by

University of Alberta.