Fatigue

Fatigue is a term used to to describe the general overall feeling of tiredness and/or a lack of energy. Other words that are sometimes used in place of fatigue include exhaustion, weariness, and lethargy. According to the National Institutes of Health, feeling fatigued is not the same different from just feeling drowsy or sleepy. (NIH) When you are fatigued, you have no motivation and no energy. Being sleepy may be a symptom of fatigue, but it is not the same thing.

The organization also states that fatigue is a very common symptom for a number of medical conditions—both serious and non-serious—and also a natural result of some lifestyle choices.

If your fatigue has no apparent cause, and it not going away with proper rest and nutrition, you should see your doctor. He or she can help to diagnose what is causing your fatigue and work with you to treat it.

There are many potential causes of fatigue, which can be divided into three general categories—lifestyle factors, medical issues, and mental health issues.

Lifestyle Factors

If you are experiencing fatigue, your activities and other lifestyle choices may be the root cause. In these cases, the reasons behind your feelings of exhaustion are often fairly easy to pinpoint. Fatigue can be caused by:

• physical activity and excessive physical exertion
• lack of activity
• lack of sleep
• being bored
• being overweight or obese
• periods of emotional stress
• grief
• taking certain medications, such as antidepressants or those that have a sedative effect
• using alcohol on a regular basis
• using street drugs, such as cocaine, on a regular basis
• using narcotics
• consuming caffeine
• not eating a proper and nutritious diet

Medical Issues

Some medical issues and conditions that can lead to fatigue are:

• anemia
• pain
• Addison’s disease (a disorder affecting your hormone levels)
• hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
• hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
• arthritis
• insomnia and other sleeping disorders
• eating disorders, such as anorexia
• autoimmune disorders
• fibromyalgia
• congestive heart failure
• cancer
• diabetes
• kidney or liver disease
• infection
• chronic fatigue syndrome
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (or COPD, which makes it difficult to breathe)
• emphysema
• restless legs syndrome

Mental Health Issues

Those who struggle with anxiety and depression may experience fatigue as a symptom of their condition.

You should arrange a visit to your doctor if you are fatigued and:

• you cannot think of anything that might account for your feelings of weakness or fatigue
• you have unexplained fatigue, along with a higher-than-normal body temperature
• you have unexplained fatigue and unexplained weight loss
• you regularly have trouble sleeping through the night or have insomnia
• you are constipated
• you believe you may be depressed
• you are very sensitive to colder temperatures

The Mayo Clinic recommends seeking medical help if you have been experiencing fatigue for two weeks or more and you have made efforts to address the most common lifestyle causes, such as lack of rest, stress, and poor eating habits, without success. (Mayo Clinic)

Because there are so many possible causes of fatigue, the doctor will likely ask you a number of questions about your lifestyle, possible sources of stress, and medications you are taking. He or she will also want to know more about the nature of your fatigue, including when it started and if it gets worse at certain times of the day.

If your doctor suspects an underlying medical condition, he or she may order one or more tests to diagnose it and develop a plan for treatment. Typical tests include blood and urine tests, as well as those that test kidney, liver, and thyroid function.

While fatigue itself is not a medical emergency, you should go to the hospital right away if you experience any of the following symptoms in addition to fatigue:

• rectal bleeding
• vomiting blood
• a severe headache
• pain in the chest area
• a feeling of faintness
• rapid heart beat
• irregular heart beat
• feeling short of breath
• severe pain in the abdominal, back, or pelvic region
• thoughts of suicide or self-harm
• thoughts of harming another person

There are a number of measures that can help lessen fatigue caused by a less-than-ideal lifestyle. If you are fatigued because of the way that you have been living, you should make changes to:

• practice healthy eating habits and stay hydrated
• exercise on a regular basis
• get adequate sleep
• take part in relaxing activities, such as yoga
• avoid known stressors
• avoid a work or social schedule that is overly demanding
• live a smoke-free lifestyle
• abstain from alcohol and drug use

These lifestyle changes—together with your doctor’s treatment plan for any health issues that may be causing your condition—can help ease your fatigue. Remember that although fatigue is a common symptom and complaint, it can take a physical and emotional toll on you if left untreated.