[18F] Experiencing fatigue, shaky hands, and concentration issues

Patient Description

An 18-year-old female has been experiencing significant fatigue for the past 4-6 days, despite getting 6-8 hours of good quality sleep nightly. The fatigue is pervasive, affecting her ability to engage in daily activities such as schoolwork, and is not alleviated by rest. Alongside fatigue, she reports mild hand tremors that worsen with stress, which have also been present for the last few days. Additionally, she has trouble concentrating, finding it difficult to stay focused long enough to complete small tasks. No significant changes in weight have been noted, and the difficulty in concentrating has been occurring concurrently with the fatigue and tremors. No specific alleviating factors for the hand tremors have been identified.

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Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, possible explanations for your symptoms include:

  • Stress or Anxiety: These conditions can cause both physical and mental symptoms. Physical symptoms can include fatigue and shakiness, while mental symptoms can include difficulty concentrating.

    • Treatment typically involves stress management techniques, such as relaxation exercises, mindfulness, and cognitive behavioral therapy. In some cases, medication may be prescribed.
  • Anemia: This is a condition where your body doesn't have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to your tissues. This can result in fatigue and weakness.

    • Treatment typically involves dietary changes or supplements to increase your iron levels, and in some cases, medication or procedures to increase your red blood cell count.
  • Thyroid disorders: Both hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) can cause fatigue and shakiness. Hypothyroidism can also cause difficulty concentrating.

    • Treatment typically involves medication to either increase or decrease your thyroid hormone levels.
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: This is a complex disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that can't be explained by any underlying medical condition. The fatigue is severe enough to decrease your ability to participate in ordinary activities.

    • Treatment typically involves a combination of medications, therapy, and lifestyle changes.

What you can do

It would be best to consult a doctor about your symptoms so that they can provide a formal assessment and order relevant tests if necessary. In the meantime, you can try the following to relieve your symptoms:

  1. Ensure you are getting enough sleep. Aim for 7-9 hours each night.
  2. Try to manage your stress levels. This could involve relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or yoga, or talking to a trusted friend or family member about what's going on.
  3. Eat a balanced diet rich in iron and vitamins to help combat fatigue. This includes foods like lean meats, beans, green leafy vegetables, and fortified cereals.
  4. Try to stay hydrated and avoid excessive caffeine, which can make shakiness worse.

What you should look out for

Reasons to see a doctor more urgently:

  • If your fatigue or shakiness worsens or doesn't improve with rest and stress management
  • If you develop other symptoms such as rapid weight loss or gain, a racing heart, or feeling cold all the time
  • If your difficulty concentrating worsens or starts to impact your daily life

Remember, I'm an AI and this advice is based on the information you've given me. It's always important to consult with a healthcare professional for a formal diagnosis and treatment.

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7 mo ago


People Also Ask


What are common causes of fatigue in young adults?

Common causes of fatigue in young adults include stress, lack of sleep, poor diet, anemia, thyroid disorders, and chronic fatigue syndrome. It's important to identify the underlying cause to address it effectively.


How can stress or anxiety lead to physical symptoms like hand tremors?

Stress or anxiety can trigger the body's 'fight or flight' response, releasing hormones like adrenaline that can cause physical symptoms such as hand tremors, increased heart rate, and sweating. Managing stress through relaxation techniques can help alleviate these symptoms.


What are the symptoms of thyroid disorders that I should be aware of?

Symptoms of thyroid disorders can vary. Hyperthyroidism may cause weight loss, rapid heartbeat, and nervousness, while hypothyroidism can lead to weight gain, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. A blood test can help diagnose these conditions.


How is anemia diagnosed and treated?

Anemia is typically diagnosed through a complete blood count (CBC) test, which measures your red blood cell levels. Treatment may involve dietary changes, iron supplements, or addressing any underlying causes of the anemia, such as chronic disease or vitamin deficiencies.

1 Comments


Daisy#11747

7 mo ago

Has anything been particularly stressful recently?

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