Anyone dealing with extreme tiredness might get more of a response after saying this
Dr Nighat Arif advised these six phrases to use at your next appointment(Image: ITV)
People dealing with fatigue and tiredness that is negatively affecting them daily are urged to take note and remember to say six phrases at their next doctor’s appointment. The advice comes directly from a doctor who knows which red flags to look for to indicate that tiredness may mean something more serious.
It’s normal to feel tired sometimes. But if you’re tired all the time and do not know why, it could be a sign of a problem. Some people might feel they aren’t being taken as seriously as they would like when they bring up this common symptom, which can sometimes be temporary and minor, or a warning sign of a health issue.
Known for appearing on health segments for BBC Breakfast and ITV’s This Morning, women’s health specialist Dr Nighat Arif claimed that some key phrases can help people make their point more effectively, raising specific red flags with a GP to show this is more than just having a bad night’s sleep. She said: “Here are the phrases to say to your doctor so that you are not dismissed. These are the phrases that I would recommend as a doctor.”
What should you say to your GP?
Dr Nighat claims there are certain things to say to a GP that could make the most of your appointment and convey your feelings more directly. She suggested six phrases that people might want to remember or jot down before their next visit to the doctor’s surgery.
I feel shattered, and I’m tiredI’m more than just tired. It’s affecting my life.My family (and/or colleagues) have, on a number of occasions, all told me that I look tired – and I feel fatigued.I’ve had to rearrange (insert activity/plan/event) because I don’t have the energy to get thereI’ve had persistent fatigue for (insert number) months, which is affecting my daily lifeI would like this to be looked into further. I was thinking we could do some investigations.
Dr Nighat then suggested that, if you don’t already have one, you keep a symptom tracker and bring it along to your appointment as evidence of your ongoing problems. It can be hard to recall everything during a short doctor’s appointment, and having notes from days when the issues were fresh and active can jog the memory.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
There are specific things that should be tracked in this, as it can pinpoint particular symptoms and problems to narrow down the root cause of the tiredness. The medical expert suggested that people take note of the specific things that doctors will be concerned about, such as:
sleepmoodpainheadachesperiods (if having them)weight changesmedication you’re takingstressrecent illnesses (especially viral infections like flu and COVID)
People should also note how their tiredness is impacting their work performance, social relationships, and libido. Having a clear picture of the overall problem can help to narrow down the possibilities from the beginning and avoid requesting a “scatter gun of blood panels” that people may not need.
Tiredness is a common symtpom of lots of different miedical issues
Tiredness is a common symptom of many different medical issues. However, in extreme cases, people should not delay getting help and ignore the issue.
Dr Nighat added: “If your fatigue is getting worse and comes with, what we call, red flags, [worsening breathlessness, chest pains, night sweats, unintentional weight loss, new and severe headache, back pain or a mood change that feels like life is not worth living] then please seek urgent medical advice rather than waiting for a routine blood test.”
For more information about possible causes of tiredness, potential treatments, and when to see a GP, go to the NHS website here. It includes lots of useful resources to help track symptoms.