phone 0322505222

Fatigue

DEFINITION

Nearly everyone struggles with being overtired or overworked from time to time. Such instances of temporary fatigue usually have an identifiable cause and a likely remedy.

 

Chronic fatigue, on the other hand, lasts longer and is more profound. It’s a nearly constant state of weariness that develops over time and diminishes your energy and mental capacity. Fatigue at this level impacts your emotional and psychological well-being, too.

Fatigue isn’t the same thing as sleepiness, although it’s often accompanied by a desire to sleep — and a lack of motivation to do anything else.

In some cases, fatigue is a symptom of an underlying medical problem that requires medical treatment. Most of the time, however, fatigue can be traced to one or more of your habits or routines.

CAUSES

Taking a quick inventory of the things that might be responsible for your fatigue is the first step toward relief. In general, most cases of fatigue may be attributed to three areas: lifestyle factors, medical conditions or psychological problems.
Lifestyle factors

Feelings of fatigue often have an obvious cause, such as:

  • Alcohol use or abuse

  • Caffeine use

  • Excessive physical activity

  • Inactivity

  • Lack of sleep

  • Medications, such as antihistamines, cough medicines and cold remedies

  • Unhealthy eating habits


Psychological conditions
Fatigue is a common symptom of mental health problems, such as:

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Grief

  • Stress


Medical conditions
Unrelenting exhaustion may be a sign of a medical condition or underlying illness, such as:

  • Acute liver failure

  • Anemia

  • Cancer

  • Chronic fatigue syndrome

  • Chronic kidney disease

  • COPD

  • Emphysema

  • Heart disease

  • Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)

  • Hypothyroidism (a thyroid disorder)

  • Medications, such as prescription pain medications, heart medications, blood pressure medications and some antidepressants

  • Obesity

  • Restless legs syndrome

  • Sleep apnea

  • Type 1 diabetes

  • Type 2 diabetes

WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR

Schedule a doctor’s visit

Call for an appointment with your doctor if your fatigue has persisted for two or more weeks despite making an effort to rest, reduce stress, choose a healthy diet and drink plenty of fluids.

Seek immediate medical attention
Get someone to take you to an emergency room or urgent care if fatigue is accompanied by:

  • Abnormal bleeding, including bleeding from your rectum or vomiting blood

  • Severe abdominal, pelvic or back pain

  • Severe headache

  • Call 911 or your local emergency medical service

  • Get emergency help if your fatigue is related to a mental health problem and your symptoms also include:

  • Thoughts of harming yourself or of suicide

  • Concern that you may harm someone else

  • Also get emergency care if your fatigue is accompanied by any of the following:

  • Chest pain

  • Shortness of breath

  • Irregular or fast heartbeat

  • Feeling that you might pass out