When the elderly complain of feeling tired or experiencing a lack of energy, it shouldn't immediately be dismissed as simply being a sign of old age, says new research published in he Journal of Gerontology. That lack of energy -- known as anergia -- may be a sign of several health problems.

Researchers found that the 18 percent of study participants classified as anergic reported more arthritis, sleep disorders, cardiovascular symptoms and other health issues, according to an article that appears on MedicineNet.com. They also reported twice as many overnight hospitalizations, emergency department visits and home care services. In addition, anergia was associated with a 60 percent greater rate of death in the six years after participants were surveyed, the study said.

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