Your Health Matters: Read Our Health Education Blog

Fatigue is a common, nonspecific symptom that can be caused by a variety of factors, including medical conditions, lifestyle choices, and psychological factors. It is important to evaluate the patient carefully to determine the underlying cause of the fatigue and to develop an appropriate treatment plan. Definition The term “fatigue” can be used to describe difficulty or inability to initiate activity (subjective sense of weakness); reduced capacity to maintain activity (easy fatigability); or difficulty with concentration, memory, and emotional stability (mental fatigue). When some patients use the word “fatigue,” careful history reveals that they are referring to sleepiness or an uncontrollable need to sleep. Patients may report one or a combination of these symptoms, and they may occur alone or in conjunction with localized complaints.  Acute fatigue is defined as lasting one month or less, subacute fatigue as lasting between one and six months, and chronic fatigue as lasting ov...

Intestinal malabsorption refers to the impaired absorption of nutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals, in the small intestine. This condition can result from a wide range of etiologies, including structural abnormalities, functional disorders, and enzyme deficiencies. Patients with intestinal malabsorption may present with various symptoms related to nutritional deficiencies. Causes of Intestinal Malabsorption: Structural Abnormalities: Structural abnormalities, such as Crohn's disease (chronic inflammatory bowel disease), Celiac disease (Autoimmune disorder that damages the small intestine), Intestinal obstruction, and surgical resections, can disrupt the normal absorption of nutrients in the small intestine. Functional Disorders: Functional disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), can interfere with the absorption process. Enzyme Deficiencies: Deficiencies of digestive enzymes, such as l...