Worn out after a car crash? When fatigue needs a closer look
A rehabilitation doctor and a primary care doctor on low energy during recovery
After an injury, even a quick errand can wipe you out. The cause may be healing, poor sleep or medicines that make you drowsy. Still, fatigue shouldn’t be written off automatically as a normal part of recovery. A rehabilitation doctor looks at how much activity you can manage. A primary care doctor checks for a cause that can be treated. [1, 2]
Pin down what kind of tired you feel
Is it sleepiness, weak muscles, shortness of breath, trouble focusing or a general lack of energy? When did it begin? Does rest help? Does it get worse after a dose of medicine or a certain activity? Keep notes on your sleep, appetite, pain, mood and how much you can do. These notes help your doctor decide if the problem fits your recovery or needs more testing. [1, 2]
Many things can feed fatigue. They include anemia (a low red blood cell count), infection, ongoing pain, sleep problems, low mood, medicines and other health conditions. A head injury can also cause fatigue. Don’t stop a medicine or add a stimulant on your own to fix it. If fatigue is new, severe or lasting, ask for a medicine review and an exam. [1, 2]
Spend your energy on purpose
Save the best part of your day for one task that must get done. Split bigger jobs into smaller steps. Rest before you get so tired that it isn’t safe to keep going. Ask for help with carrying, driving or child care if you can’t count on yourself to do them. [1]
Gentle exercise may help some people. It still has to fit your injury limits and your doctor’s advice. Pacing yourself protects your ability to function. It is no sign that your fatigue is imaginary. [1]
Signs it's time to call
Call your doctor if fatigue lasts for weeks, gets worse or keeps you from basic daily tasks. Get prompt care if it comes with fever, unexplained weakness, dizziness or confusion. The same goes for passing very little urine or any other new symptom that worries you. Chest pain, serious trouble breathing or fainting calls for emergency care. [1, 2, 3]
- Could my injury, a medicine, a sleep problem or another condition be causing this?
- How much activity is safe for me now?
- When should I come back if my energy doesn’t improve?
If you have a rehabilitation plan, tell your therapist how you feel after each session as well as during it. The plan can often be scaled to the stamina you have now while doctors look into medical causes. [1]
Keep a three day energy log
Sources and further reading
- 1MedlinePlus fatigue overview
- 2MedlinePlus fatigue medical encyclopedia
- 3MedlinePlus when to use emergency care
This article is general education from rehabilitation and primary care. Fatigue can have several causes. Get a medical exam for new, severe symptoms or for fatigue that won’t go away.
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