title: [Fatigue].
abstract: Fatigue is one of the most frequent symptoms in medicine. A detailed history must include sleeping habits, other diseases, drugs, and concomitant symptoms. A physical examination is necessary, followed by laboratory tests and imaging techniques, which must be used in a cost-effective manner. When underlying diseases are excluded, a chronic fatigue syndrome may be present. Its pathogenesis is largely unknown. Established treatment options in chronic fatigue syndrome are graded exercise, antidepressants in case of depression and anxiety, and cognitive behaviour treatment. The large number of other treatments including diets have no proven value. Fatigue remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to the physician.
authors.affiliation: Departement Innere Medizin, Kantonsspital Chur. walter.reinhart@ksc.gr.ch
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Reinhart
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fleisch
mesh_terms: D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000191:economics; D005221:Fatigue / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans