What is fatigue?
Fatigue may be a continual sense of mental fatigue, or it can happen when a person is trying to do too much and the brain is overloaded. This often results in mind-numbing fatigue that can last for several days.
Brain disorders such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be compared to a highway when one of three lanes is closed down. If traffic is light, there will be no difference but once the traffic reaches a critical point, the cars barely move and it can take ages for the traffic jam to clear.
It is important to avoid fatigue as much as possible, as it will make any other problems worse as well, such as:
- vision problems
- slurred speech
- difficulty finding words
- poor concentration
- cramps or weak muscles
- poor coordination or balance.
Fatigue can occur for no apparent reason or after physical activity, but is quite likely to occur from too much mental activity. Examples include planning the week’s errands, organising a work schedule or simply reading. While it can be managed with good planning and rest periods, families should keep in mind that fatigue is a very real problem.