Question
A 23-year-old woman experiences daily sleepiness, requiring short naps in the morning and afternoon. Her lifestyle is regular, and she has no apparent health issues, except for her sleepiness. What could be the possible causes of this phenomenon?
Answer
Fatigue and weakness are common symptoms of various heart diseases. Heart conditions may lead to poor blood circulation, causing metabolic waste products, such as lactic acid, to accumulate in tissues, stimulating nerve endings and resulting in a feeling of fatigue. This fatigue can range from mild to severe, with mild cases often going unnoticed while severe cases may affect daily work. However, fatigue caused by heart disease is non-specific and can be difficult to differentiate from fatigue caused by other diseases. In addition to fatigue, patients may also experience symptoms such as shortness of breath.