Fatigue Definition

Fatigue (synonyms: listlessness; ICD-10-GM R53: malaise and fatigue) refers to the subjective feeling of a general weakness in performance, which may have physiological (“natural” or age-related) or pathological (pathological) causes.

For example, a physiological cause may be the onset of fatigue after vigorous physical or mental exertion.

Common pathological causes are diseases of the blood-forming organs (e.g., anemia/anemia).

Fatigue occurs mainly in diseases of the respiratory system, the blood-forming organs, the cardiovascular system, infections, neoplasms (here: tumor diseases), kidney diseases and rheumatological diseases.

Fatigue can be a symptom of many diseases (see “Differential diagnoses”).

Course and prognosis: Fatigue is usually a symptom among other non-specific symptoms such as fever, aching limbs and headache. A visit to the doctor is usually necessary, unless it is a harmless cold. Only in the further course of specific symptoms appear, which allow an indication of a diagnosis. If necessary, laboratory and medical device diagnostics are required as part of the further clarification. The prognosis depends on the causative disease.