What are the common causes of fatigue?

Fatigue can be described as having difficulty in initiating or maintaining activity. It is also associated with difficulty in concentration, memory and emotional stability. It is a common problem which negatively impacts work, performance, family and even social relationships. There are many causes for fatigue including underlying chronic medical conditions such as thyroid disease, psychological conditions as well as nutritional deficiencies.

From a biomedical perspective, a stroke occurs when blood supply to the brain is interrupted, causing brain cells to lose their function thus leading to the signs and symptoms commonly observed. There are two main types of stroke: Ischaemic stroke occurs due to blockage of blood vessel, limiting blood flow to the brain. It is the most common, accounting for 74% of stroke in Singapore. Haemorrhagic stroke occurs due to rupture of blood vessel, causing bleeding into the brain. This makes up 24% of stroke in Singapore.