Conditions and diseases that seem unrelated can cause symptoms very similar to one another. Symptoms such as sleepiness, muscle aches and fatigue, or a feeling of extreme tiredness, often occur together in response to fluctuations in or damage to the cells in the blood. Infections, autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammatory responses can all lead to the onset of this set of symptoms.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread pain in the muscles, tendons and ligaments. This condition, which affects women more often than men, occurs in approximately two percent of the United States population, according to MayoClinic.com. Although the exact cause of fibromyalgia remains unknown contributing factors may include genetic mutations, infections and physical or emotional trauma. The constant dull muscle aches caused by fibromyalgia interfere with normal sleep patterns, resulting in fatigue and daytime sleepiness. Many patients with fibromyalgia develop co-existing conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, lupus, osteoarthritis, restless leg syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment includes both medications to relieve the pain and lifestyle changes to improve general health. Doctors commonly prescribe analgesics such as acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, antidepressants to help promote sleep and anti-seizure medications to help reduce pain.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome describes a condition of unknown cause characterized by severe tiredness or weariness that does not subside with rest. Doctors diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome in patients exhibiting at least four of the following symptoms for at least six months without any other apparent cause, according to MedLine Plus and the National Institutes of Health. Symptoms include extreme fatigue severe enough to restrict activity, continued feeling of sleepiness even after rest, forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, headache, joint pain, mild fever, muscle aches, muscle weakness, lymph node tenderness and sore throat. Because no cure exists, doctors treat chronic fatigue syndrome by promoting a healthy diet, initiating cognitive behavior therapy and teaching the patient sleep management techniques. Doctors may prescribe medications to treat concurrent conditions such as antidepressants for patients who develop depression.
African Sleeping Sickness
African sleeping sickness, also known as African trypanosomiasis, occurs as a result of a parasitic infection transmitted through the bite of an infected tsetse fly, only found in sub-Saharan Africa. Two variations of this disease exist, classified based on the specific parasite involved. West African trypanosomiasis, caused by the Trypanosoma brucei gambiense parasite, accounts for approximately 90 percent of cases, according to the World Health Organization. The West African version causes chronic disease that may not exhibit symptoms until in the advanced stages. The parasite Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense causes East African sleeping sickness and results in acute infection that develops rapidly. Initial symptoms of both types include fever, headaches, joint pain, muscle aches and itching. As the disease progresses, it affects the central nervous system causing confusion, sensory disturbances, a lack of coordination and sleep disturbances resulting in fatigue. Treatment occurs in two stages, with the first stage delivering a combination of the medications pentamidine and suramin. Second-stage drugs, which include melarsoprol and eflornithine, must cross the blood-brain barrier to get to the parasite, notes the World Health Organization.
