Assessment of fatigue

The majority of conditions presenting with fatigue are not regarded as immediately life-threatening. However, a few may require urgent diagnosis or action to prevent death or serious sequelae.

Cardiovascular emergencies

Patients with signs and symptoms suggestive of acute myocardial ischaemia should be stabilised immediately and promptly evaluated for re-vascularisation therapy.

Haemodynamically unstable patients with atrial fibrillation require urgent direct-current cardioversion.

Endocrine disorders

Severe hyper- or hypoglycaemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, or non-ketotic hyperglycaemic states require urgent control of blood sugar and correction of volume and electrolyte abnormalities.

Addison's disease requires urgent substitution of deficient adrenal hormones.

Infectious disease

Untreated tuberculosis may result in respiratory failure and spread of disease.

HIV, if not diagnosed or treated appropriately with antiretroviral drugs, may result in overt AIDS and eventually death.

Neurological emergencies

Suspected stroke requires urgent evaluation for possible intervention (e.g., thrombolysis.)