Weakness and Fatigue

Emergencies

Yes	Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Loss of function in one area of your body, such as:
  • Partial or complete inability to move (paralysis) in part or all of one side of your body (face, arm, and leg)
  • Persistent numbness
  • Loss of vision in one or both eyes
  • Inability to speak, difficulty speaking, or difficulty understanding speech
• Sudden weakness of the entire body with or without unexplained chest pain that is crushing or squeezing, feels like a heavy weight on the chest, or occurs with any other symptoms of a heart attack
• Sudden, severe pain and is the worst headache you have ever had
• Confusion or a change in behaviour, such as unusually aggressive or combative behaviour
• A change in your mental health and you are seriously considering suicide

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

• Chest pain: Go to the topic Chest Pain.
• Change in your heart rate: Go to the topic Change in Heartbeat.
• Headache: Go to the topic Headaches.
• Thoughts of suicide or harming yourself: Go to the topic Suicidal Thoughts or Threats.
• A sleep problem: Go the topic Sleep Problems, Age 12 and Older.

Yes	Have you had weakness with a temporary loss of function, but all your symptoms are improving or are now gone?
Yes	Do you have persistent generalized weakness?
Yes	Do you think your fatigue is caused by a mental health problem?
Yes	Do you think that your weakness or fatigue may be caused by a medicine?
Yes	Do you suspect that alcohol or other drugs may be causing your fatigue?
Yes	Do you have persistent fatigue?
Yes	Has your fatigue lasted longer than 2 weeks after you have had symptoms of another illness?
Yes	Do you have fatigue and unexplained weight gain or weight loss?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Fatigue is often a symptom of another condition. If you have any other symptoms, evaluate those symptoms using the appropriate topic:

• Abdominal Pain, Age 12 and Older
• Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
• Anxiety
• Confusion, Memory Loss, and Altered Alertness
• Diarrhea, Age 12 and Older
• Feeling Depressed
• Fever, Age 4 and Older
• Respiratory Problems, Age 12 and Older
• Urinary Problems, Age 12 and Older

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: April 17, 2007
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology
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