by K Kumor and KZ Pierzchala
March 10, 2007
Journal: Wiadomosci Lekarskie. 2006;59(9-10):685-91. [Note: Article in Polish]
Authors and affiliations: Kumor K, Pierzchala K Z. Katedry i Kliniki Neurologii w Zabrzu Slaskiej Akademii Medycznej w Katowicach. [E-mail: kum2@poczta.onet.pl ]
PMID: 17338130
Fatigue or piercing feeling of weakness, lack of strength and energy or total exhaustion is a common complaint of patients with neurological disorders.
From 40 percent to over 90 percent of individuals with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, neuroboreliosis, post polio syndrome or stroke confirm its experience. It is not infrequently numbered among most disabling complaints.
A separate entity, with fatigue as a cardinal sign, is a Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, a disorder, though controversial, more and more frequently diagnosed.
Fatigue ought to be discriminated from fatigability, paresis, somnolence and, first of all depression which commonly coexists in chronic disorders. The assessment is almost entirely based on self-estimate scales filled in by a patient.
Attainable results of neuroimaging, electrophysiological, polisomnographic, vegetative, psychological and biochemical surveys have not allowed yet to define the pathogenesis of fatigue. The treatment basis consists of behavioral therapy, psychotherapy and a proper treatment of the basic disease.
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