Q How do I tell simple fatigue apart from fatigue caused by a serious illness? Are there warning signs that mean I should get a hospital checkup right away?
A If fatigue comes with rapid weight loss, a fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher, swollen and painful lymph nodes in the neck or armpits, pain that worsens at night, or shortness of breath, you should get a hospital checkup without delay. These can be signs of infection, anemia, tumors, or other serious conditions.
Detailed Answer
Most chronic fatigue isn't a dangerous illness, but a few warning signs always need to be checked. Unexplained weight loss of 10 kg or more within 6 months, or severe pain at rest or at night, require testing to rule out conditions such as tumors. A persistent fever of 38°C or higher, swollen and tender lymph nodes, and severe shortness of breath can signal a systemic infection or a serious underlying condition, and should be evaluated immediately.
Our Korean Medicine Clinic's Perspective
At Dongjedang too, we check for these warning signs first at the initial visit, and if present, we recommend medical testing right away. Proceeding with Korean medicine treatment only after other conditions have been ruled out and functional fatigue is confirmed is the correct order — this is what makes treatment both safe and genuinely effective.
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