Pepping up tired patients

This book is written for patients who experience tiredness. Most general practitioners appreciate this is a common complaint they see and agree it can be quite challenging to treat, especially within consultation time constraints.

There are a number of aspects of this book that I love. It is easy to read. It is written as though the authors are having a friendly, chatty conversation with the reader. The authors encourage patients to attend their GP by making a longer consultation time with them. They also discuss what diseases need to be excluded and why certain tests (such as iron levels and thyroid function) are performed by the GP. The role of depression in fatigue is also given due respect.

Mansberg and Thomson focus on lifestyle factors that are known to impact on health and energy. These include improving diet, exercise, sleep, stress management, and avoidance of smoking and alcohol. They also cover the possible role of nutritional supplements and herbs for the treatment of fatigue, but do quite rightly emphasise the lack of research in this area.

Tiredness can be a difficult condition to treat and is often confused with chronic fatigue syndrome. The book provides some nice, easy practical lifestyle solutions. It motivates the patient to take control of and responsibility for their health; to be more proactive, taking simple steps to help restore their energy and vitality.

So when a GP is next confronted with a tired patient, this would be a useful book to suggest, to reinforce their advice on the importance of lifestyle changes. I have already started recommending this book to my patients. At $19.95, the book is great value for money.