Differential Diagnosis for Afternoon Fatigue
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Sleep Apnea: This condition is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep, leading to poor sleep quality and daytime fatigue, which often peaks in the afternoon.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Anemia: A decrease in red blood cells or hemoglobin can lead to a reduction in oxygen delivery to tissues, causing fatigue.
- Hypothyroidism: An underactive thyroid gland can cause fatigue, among other symptoms, due to the decreased production of thyroid hormones.
- Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can lead to fatigue, especially in the afternoon, due to the body's inability to effectively use insulin.
- Depression: A common mental health condition that can cause persistent fatigue, among other symptoms.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Heart Failure: Reduced cardiac output can lead to fatigue, especially during periods of increased activity or in the afternoon.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A progressive lung disease that can cause shortness of breath and fatigue.
- Sleep Deprivation: Prolonged lack of sleep can lead to significant fatigue, impaired cognitive function, and increased risk of accidents.
- Adrenal Insufficiency: A rare condition where the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol, leading to fatigue, among other symptoms.
- Rare diagnoses
- Multiple Sclerosis: A chronic autoimmune disease that can cause fatigue, among other neurological symptoms.
- Myasthenia Gravis: A rare neuromuscular disorder that can cause muscle weakness and fatigue.
- Mitochondrial Myopathies: A group of rare genetic disorders that affect the mitochondria, leading to muscle weakness and fatigue.
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A condition characterized by persistent, unexplained fatigue that is not relieved by rest.