Fatigue

Fatigue is a pervasive sense of tiredness and lack of energy that is not relieved by rest. As a systemic symptom, it often indicates an underlying medical condition. In colorectal medicine, fatigue is a significant red flag, frequently linked to chronic blood loss leading to anemia from conditions like colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It can also be a direct consequence of the systemic inflammation associated with IBD or the metabolic burden of a malignancy. A thorough investigation, typically starting with bloodwork and often including a colonoscopy, is essential to determine the cause.