Why am I always exhausted?

Dr. Lourdes Castanon, MD, FACS

Banner University Medical Center

Fatigue is a common symptom after a burn injury. Specially acutely, the body is working overtime to try to control the injury. As healing begins to occur the body continues to work above our baseline to try to heal the wounds. the body enters a state of catabolism, using all possible resources to heal. Depending on the size of the injury and the time to heal, a new baseline of energy expenditure is established that gradually can improve over time. Other contributing factors that determine risk and duration include, age, additional medical problems and the persons baseline frailty level. It is important to listen to your body and if this fatigue continues, make sure your physician is aware as there are interventions that can help such as changes in activity level, diet, medication and addressing any underling psychological component.