Dr Nighat Arif, a women's health specialist known for appearances on BBC Breakfast and ITV's This Morning, has advised people experiencing persistent fatigue to use six specific phrases during GP appointments to ensure their concerns are taken seriously.
According to Dr Arif, these phrases can help raise red flags with a doctor, indicating that the tiredness is more than just a lack of sleep. She recommends saying things that clearly convey the impact on daily life, such as how fatigue affects work performance, social relationships, and libido.
Dr Arif also suggests keeping a symptom tracker to bring to appointments, noting specific details like worsening breathlessness, chest pains, night sweats, unintentional weight loss, new severe headaches, back pain, or mood changes. This evidence can help narrow down the root cause without unnecessary tests.
For extreme cases, she advises seeking urgent medical attention if fatigue is accompanied by red flags such as worsening breathlessness, chest pains, or a feeling that life is not worth living. The NHS website offers further resources on causes and treatments for tiredness.
