Causes Of Exhaustion And Fatigue

What Causes ‘your’ Fatigue

Many physical and mental illnesses, as well as lifestyle factors, can cause your fatigue, and that can make it hard to diagnose. In some cases, it might be something simple and easy to fix, like having caffeine at bedtime. But other causes, like heart disease or COPD, are serious, and you may need to start long-term treatment right away.

Your doctor can help you sift through your health issues, as well as diet, exercise, and other lifestyle habits, in order to zero in on the cause and help you on the road to recovery.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Associated With Fatigue

Fatigue is a symptom that usually has some underlying cause. Fatigue may be described by people in different ways, and may include some combination include weakness, lack of energy, constantly tired or exhausted, lack of motivation, difficulty concentrating, and/or difficulty starting and completing tasks.

Other symptoms such as fainting or loss of consciousness , near-syncope, rapid heartbeat , dizziness or vertigo may also be described as part of the fatigue experienced by the affected individual. The presence of these symptoms may actually help lead a health care practitioner to discover the underlying cause of the fatigue.

The potential causes of fatigue are numerous. The majority of diseases known to man often list fatigue or malaise as possible associated symptoms. This is complicated by the fact that fatigue can occur in normal healthy individuals as a normal response to physical and mental exertion. However, normal fatigue may begin to become abnormal if it becomes chronic, extreme or prolonged fatigue usually this occurs when a person experiences chronic or prolonged physical or mental exertion. For example, unusually hard physical or mental exertion for one day can result in normal fatigue that may last about a day or sometimes more, depending on the exertion level, while daily unusually hard physical or mental exertion may result in prolonged fatigue . This latter situation may develop into abnormal fatigue.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Some Illnesses Cause Fatigue

Sometimes, fatigue can be the first sign that something is wrong in your body. For example, people with rheumatoid arthritis, a painful condition that affects the joints, often complain of fatigue. People with cancer may feel fatigued from the disease, treatments, or both.

Many medical problems and treatments can add to fatigue. These include:

• Taking certain medications, such as antidepressants, antihistamines, and medicines for nausea and pain
• Having medical treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation, or recovering from major surgery
• Infections
• Chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, thyroid disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Untreated pain and diseases like fibromyalgia
• Anemia
• Sleep apnea and other sleep disorders

Managing a health problem may make the fatigue go away. Your doctor can help.

Recommended Reading: What Can I Take For Fatigue And Tiredness

Fatigue Cause No : Not Enough Fuel

Eating too little causes fatigue, but eating the wrong foods can also be a problem. Eating a balanced diet helps keep your blood sugar in a normal range and prevents that sluggish feeling when your blood sugar drops.

Fix: Always eat breakfast and try to include protein and complex carbs in every meal. For example, eat eggs with whole-grain toast. Also eat small meals and snacks throughout the day for sustained energy.

Doctors Recommend Getting A Blood Test For Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/chronic Fatigue Syndome If You Have Experienced Fatigue For Longer Than:

There is no blood test for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndome. However, if you have experienced unexplained fatigue lasting longer than three months, you may want to see your doctor to rule out possible medical problems.myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome may be considered if you have experienced fatigue for longer than six months — especially if you have chronic pain or other common symptoms of ME/CFS. Diagnosis is usually based on an evaluation of the patient’s history and a thorough physical and mental examination that rules out other potential causes.

Don’t Miss: Breast Cancer Recurrence Symptoms Fatigue

Is Pots More Common In Certain People

There are no established risk factors for POTS. However, it is known to run in families, so it could have a genetic component. Researchers have also established a link between POTS and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome . So if you have one of these conditions, you might also have the other.

A big group of those diagnosed with POTS is young women and teens. However, this doesnt mean they are more likely to develop this condition.

Sleep Apnea And Snoring

âSnoring, the most common sign of obstructive sleep apnea , is reported in up to 94% of patients with OSA,â Aniko Dunn, PsyD, a psychologist at EZCare Clinic in San Francisco, tells WebMD Connect to Care.

Snoring is when you make hoarse or sharp breathing sounds while sleeping. It happens when the air youâre inhaling causes the tissues in the back of your throat to vibrate. Almost everyone snores occasionally, and in some cases, it can be related to OSA.

âSnoring and obstructive sleep apnea are related in that they both occur when the airway at the back of the throat collapses during sleep,â Adam Sorscher, MD, sleep health director at Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital in Lebanon, N.H., tells WebMD Connect to Care.

âIf the airway collapses a little but a person is still able to breathe effectively, then we call it snoring. If the airway collapses entirely or almost entirely such that a person could not draw sufficient oxygen and blow off carbon dioxide, we call that an apneic event,â Sorscher explains.

According to Mayo Clinic, although snoring is the most common symptom of sleep apnea, some snoring is unrelated to sleep apnea. However, if you snore and you also have any of the following symptoms, it may indicate sleep apnea:

• Noticeable breathing pauses during sleep
• Gasping or choking sounds at night
• Daytime drowsiness or lethargy

You May Like: Vitamins For Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome

The Impact Of Caffeine And Energy Drinks

90% of American adults drink caffeine-infused beverages almost every day. This includes coffee, tea, and energy drinks, which have high quantities of sugar in addition to containing the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee. Some of the smaller energy shots can contain up to 160mg of caffeine in a 60ml bottle. With extreme tiredness, you may start drinking too much of these drinks to give yourself a temporary energy boost.

The problem is that these caffeinated beverages have short-lived results and do not tackle your general fatigue. Caffeine has a stimulatory effect on the nervous system, and creates a momentary surge of adrenaline. However, once it subsides, you are left drained of energy the opposite effect to what you wanted. Caffeine can also lead to other problems such as:

So rather than improving your fatigue, caffeine can cause you to feel worse.

What Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome , also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME/CFS, is a condition in which fatigue lasts six months or longer and is not related to other diseases or conditions. People with CFS experience symptoms that make it hard to do daily tasks like dressing or bathing. Along with severe fatigue that doesnt get better with rest, CFS symptoms can include problems with sleep, memory and concentrating, pain, dizziness, sore throat, and tender lymph nodes. Learn more about CFS.

Recommended Reading: Army Fatigue Jacket Forever 21

Fatigue Caused By An Unhealthy Diet

The old adage you are what you eat is really true. By eating well-balanced meals and snacks that contain enough calories and nutrients, you give yourself sufficient energy to counteract extreme tiredness. Simply eating to stave off hunger during the day is not sufficient sugary and processed foods are counterproductive, and rob us of essential nutrients needed for energy production. Too many refined carbohydrates, such as bread, cause our blood sugar levels to spike and crash, leaving us exhausted. Make sure that your diet is made up of plenty of nutrient-rich foods such as whole grains, fresh fruit and vegetables.

Your body can function within a range of calories depending on your weight, height, age, and other factors. However, generally speaking, women should consume about 2,000 calories a day, and men 2,500 calories a day. Consuming less than 1,200 calories per day may cause your metabolism to slow down.

Conversely, if you eat too much, this can also cause fatigue. The key to healthy eating is therefore to choose certain foods that contain adequate nutrients and make sure you have meals and snacks in appropriate portions.

Myth: Its Best Not To Eat While On The Road

Sure, stopping for a big bowl of spaghetti might be a ticket to dreamland. But depriving yourself of food is not the answer. During long road trips, you can maintain a steady energy supply by eating a healthy snack every two hours. The best choices combine protein with complex carbs, such as cheese on a whole-grain cracker.

Read Also: Mega Comfort Anti Fatigue Insoles

Organize Your Daily Tasks

Before starting a day, make sure to add all your tasks and to-do list in a diary. Organizing things will help you to achieve maximum productivity and work with much attention. It also helps you to keep track of your daily routine. Completing all these tasks will give you confidence which can work to eliminate mental fatigue.

Nutrient Deficiencies That Cause Fatigue

Your body operates like a well-oiled machine, and nutrients are the gas that keep your engines running. When youre low on these essential vitamins and minerals, your body cant function as effectively cue struggling to keep your eyes open in those back-to-back Zoom meetings!

Many of these nutrients arent produced by your body naturally, so you have to ingest them through food. But since the food you eat isnt as nutrient-dense these days, you might not be getting the nutrients that give you energy.

To fix that, here are 6 of the most common nutrient deficiencies that could be causing your fatigue:

Recommended Reading: Upper Back Pain And Fatigue

Feeling Tired All The Time And Fatiguekey Differences

While tiredness and fatigue are terms often used interchangeably, theyre separate issues and the main difference is recovery time.

• Tirednesstiredness can, for the most part, be cured by better sleep and some time to recharge. The former is where we know why a person is tiredwhere they’ve perhaps spent a busy week burning the candle at both ends. Theyll then rest and get some sleep, and feel better, explains Howard.
• Fatiguemore serious fatigue will unlikely be resolved until an underlying issue is addressed. The latter is beyond thiswhere someone can rest, but not see their energy bounce back. Howard adds, What’s more, tiredness at the end of a long week has emotionally positive connotations for someonethat theyve achieved something, and feel good about their efforts. But with fatigue, feeling exhausted for no apparent reason will come with a lot of frustration and anxiety. Whats more, even those with fatigue can have very different experiences. Its a continuumat one end someone might be able to live a busy life, but not really have the energy that perhaps they are used to, explains Howard. But then you have others who are more severe, who may be housebound or bed-bound.

How Would You Describe Fatigue Associated With Pots

People with POTS experience fatigue differently. Many describe it as feeling beyond exhausted. Its as if your energy is completely depleted. The fatigue is probably hundreds of times worse than your worst flu. People with POTS may also have trouble concentrating and thinking straight. Doing simple tasks may feel like youve just run a marathon.

This fatigue might come and go, hitting you without warning daily, weekly or less frequently. For some people, extreme fatigue lasts for days. Others may experience periodic attacks. It can come on at any moment even if you just woke up. And there is no amount of sleep or coffee that can make it go away.

Read Also: Best Fatigue Mat For Standing Desk

Too Much Or Too Little Activity

A person with fatigue may not feel able to exercise, and a lack of exercise can cause further fatigue. A lack of exercise may eventually cause deconditioning, making it harder and more tiring to perform a physical task.

Fatigue can also affect healthy individuals after prolonged, intense mental or physical activity.

Six Possible Causes Of Body Aches And Fatigue: What To Know

Are you wondering why you are experiencing body aches and fatigue at the same time? Generally, body aches are common. When a person suffers from this, he or she can also experience other symptoms, such as pain in a particular body area, cold and flu-like symptoms, and fatigue. Hence, body aches and fatigue usually come together. Sometimes, these may also bring some dental pain. If that happens, you can visit Advanced Dental Care Dubbos services.

Recommended Reading: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Disability Living Allowance

When To Contact A Medical Professional

Contact your provider right away if you have any of the following:

• Confusion or dizziness
• Little or no urine, or recent swelling and weight gain
• Thoughts of harming yourself or of committing suicide

• Unexplained weakness or fatigue, especially if you also have a fever or unintentional weight loss
• Constipation, dry skin, weight gain, or you cannot tolerate cold
• Wake up and fall back to sleep many times during the night
• Headaches often
• Are taking medicines, prescribed or non-prescribed, or using drugs that may cause fatigue or drowsiness
• Feel sad or depressed

Treatment depends on the cause of your fatigue symptoms.

When To See A Doctor About Being Tired All The Time

While making certain lifestyle tweaks could help with your fatigue, its unlikely to do much if youre struggling with an underlying health condition. In those situations, youll need to seek help from a medical professional.

Of course, that can be tricky to detect on your own. So, when should you seek medical attention? If fatigue is persistent, and it is disrupting daily tasks, work productivity, or limiting your participation in enjoyable activities, it may be time to speak to your doctor, Dr. Waters says.

Read Also: Common Causes Of Extreme Fatigue

A Vitamin Or Nutrient Deficiency

A vitamin deficiency, such as not getting enough vitamin D or vitamin B12, could cause you to feel severely tired, per the Cleveland Clinic. Dehydration can have the same effect.

You could also feel suddenly exhausted if you’ve recently started a high-protein diet. It’s not the protein itself making you tired, but the lack of carbohydrates. Severely restricting carbs causes your body to enter ketosis, where it breaks down fat for energy, per the Mayo Clinic. The side effects of ketosis include fatigue as well as headache, weakness and bad breath.

These side effects are usually temporary, but if ketosis is causing your sudden energy crash, you may want to add more fiber-rich, complex carbohydrates to your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains like oatmeal and brown rice. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend carbs make up 45 to 65 percent of your total daily calories.

Similarly, skipping meals or following a very low-calorie diet could sap your energy. Keep in mind that people assigned female at birth should avoid eating fewer than 1,200 calories per day, and people assigned male at birth should eat at least 1,500 calories per day, according to Harvard Health Publishing.

Food Allergies Food Intolerance And Fatigue

Symptoms: Fatigue, sleepiness, continued exhaustion

Although food is supposed to give you energy, medical research suggests that hidden food intolerances — or allergies — can do the opposite. In fact, fatigue may be an early warning sign of food intolerance or food allergy. Celiac disease, which happens when you cant digest gluten, may also cause fatigue.

Ask your doctor about the elimination diet. This is a diet in which you cut out certain foods linked to a variety of symptoms, including sleepiness within 10 to 30 minutes of eating them, for a certain period of time to see if that makes a difference. You can also talk to your doctor about a food allergy test — or invest in a home test such as ALCAT — which may help you identify the offending foods.

You May Like: What Can Cause Severe Fatigue And Tiredness

What Is Tiredness & Fatigue

Fatigue is lingering tiredness or exhaustion that is persistent and limiting. With fatigue, you experience unexplained, persistent, and reoccurring exhaustion that can feel similar to having the flu and missing a lot of sleep. Fatigue can interfere with your ability to concentrate and be productive at work or to function at home. You may be too exhausted even to manage your daily affairs.

Fatigue is a symptom something you can feel and describe not a condition or a disease. In most cases, there is a reason for fatigue, and it is important to find the underlying cause to manage the fatigue and improve wellbeing. There are numerous factors that can lead to fatigue, including lifestyle related causes, such as sleep disturbance or an underlying health issue, such as iron deficiency or depression. If you feel you have signs of fatigue, it is important to consult your doctor for treatment.