A ll too often, conventional medical practitioners mistakenly assume that fatigue is a red flag for depression -- especially if the patient complains only of a vague yet constant tiredness. But fatigue typically results from a complex constellation of physical and emotional issues. That's why treatment should be based on an assessment of the patient's physical health and lifestyle. Before you see your doctor with a complaint of fatigue, spend two weeks completing this checklist...

Monitor your breathing. Shallow breathing, which is commonly caused by anxiety, fear and poor posture, reduces your oxygen supply and, as a result, often leads to fatigue. To monitor your breathing, pay attention to your breathing patterns throughout the day. In addition, practice deep breathing for five minutes several times a day. What to do: As you inhale deeply, allow your lungs to fully expand (your belly should rise if you're doing this correctly), then exhale to a count of five. If you have trouble taking a deep breath, or if you cough or wheeze during deep breathing, discuss this with your physician. These reactions could be signs of disease or injury.

Note your caffeine intake. If you need more than 20 ounces of a caffeinated beverage to get through the day, ask your doctor to order blood tests to check your levels of blood sugar (glucose) and the adrenal hormones dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and cortisol as well as your thyroid function (TSH, T3 and T4). Each may be linked to fatigue.

Do a media and computer "fast" for the weekend. Keeping up with media reports is enough of a job. When you add in the deluge of information most of us receive via the computer, it can be a tremendous energy drain. A time-out will tell you if you need to cut back on these activities.

Keep a diet diary for one week. Each day, write down what you eat and drink and a description of your energy levels in the morning, afternoon and evening. Look for patterns. Skipping meals and consuming foods that can trigger allergic reactions, such as wheat, dairy, eggs or soy, are common causes of fatigue. Not drinking enough plain water, which is important to overall physiological function, also may be a culprit. My advice: Drink one-half ounce of plain water for every pound of body weight -- for example, if you weigh 150 pounds, drink 75 ounces of water daily.

Assess your emotional state. Fatigue can result from painful emotions, such as grief or anger, but some doctors are too quick to prescribe an antidepressant. It's often better to first try keeping a journal, talking to a close friend and/or meeting with a counselor.

Of course, fatigue can be caused by medical conditions, such as diabetes, anemia and even cancer. That's why you should see a doctor if your fatigue does not improve after trying these steps. If you experience extreme fatigue accompanied by pain, fever or disorientation, see your doctor immediately.