Fatigue: Causes & Treatment
Fatigue is defined as extremely tired. You have trouble getting out of bed in the morning and getting through the day when you're exhausted. Fatigue can be brought on by a variety of conditions and lifestyle factors. By altering your routine, you might be able to relieve it. A healthcare professional can typically assist you in managing it if it is caused by an underlying condition.
The term "fatigue" refers to a generalized sense of exhaustion or low energy. It's not the same as just feeling sleepy or drowsy. You lack energy and motivation when you're tired. Although being drowsy is a sign of fatigue, the two are not the same.
Numerous medical conditions, ranging in severity from mild to serious, frequently cause fatigue as a symptom. Additionally, it is a natural outcome of certain lifestyle choices, like eating poorly or not exercising.
Also Read: Heart attack: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention
What is fatigue?
Everyone feels fatigued occasionally. However, fatigue is the state of being extremely fatigued. It is difficult to make it out of bed in the morning, go to work, go about your daily activities, and get through the day when you are extremely tired. An overwhelming desire to sleep is a symptom of fatigue, but you might not feel refreshed after resting or sleeping.Frequently, fatigue coexists with additional symptoms like:
- Depression and a lack of interest in the things you used to enjoy
- Difficulty focusing or concentrating
- Extremely lacking in motivation and energy
- Anxiety, agitation, and nervousness
- Weakness and pain in the muscles
- Tired eyes
- Legs that are exhausted
- Fatigue throughout the body
- Stiff shoulders
- Malaise (unease/discomfort)
- Boredom
- Impatience
Causes:
Fatigue can be caused by a variety of diseases, conditions, medications, and lifestyle choices. Fatigue may be a transient state or a chronic one that lasts for six months or longer. By altering your diet, medication, exercise routine, or sleeping patterns, you might be able to fix your fatigue quickly. A healthcare professional can typically treat or assist you in managing any underlying medical conditions that are contributing to your fatigue. Causes of fatigue include:
- Fatigue can be caused by certain lifestyle choices. These elements could consist of:
- Poor diets
- Excessive alcohol use
- IIlegal use of drugs
- Stress
- Exhaustion
- Sedentary (inactive) way of life
- Jet lag
Extreme fatigue and chronic exhaustion can result from certain sleep disorders. These could consist of:
- Insomnia
- Sleep apnea
- Narcolepsy
- Sleep disorder related to shift work
Prescription medications and treatments
Fatigue may result from taking certain prescription medications such as:
- Benzodiazepines
- Sedatives-hypnotics
- Antipsychotics
- Opioids
- Anticonvulsants
- Beta-blockers
- Anxiolyics
Additional medications and treatments
Other treatments and medications that can make you feel fatigued include:
- Medications that are sold over-the-counter (OTC), such as antihistamines
- Bone marrow transplants
- Chemotherapy
Which conditions cause fatigue?
Fatigue is a sign of many different diseases, conditions, and deficiencies that impact different body parts. Fatigue can result from hundreds of diseases and conditions. The following are a few of the most typical reasons for fatigue:
Fatigue can result from a variety of infections, including:
- Mononucleosis
- HIV
- COVID-19
- Lyme disease
Lung and heart issues
One of the most common symptoms of lung and cardiovascular diseases is fatigue
- Heart disease
- POTS stands for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome
- COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Emphysema
- Heart failure with congestive heart failure
- Mental health issues
- Depression.
- PTSD stands for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Autoimmune diseases
Numerous autoimmune diseases can cause fatigue, such as:
- Lupus
- MS stands for multiple sclerosis
- Giravis myasthenia
- Sjögren's illness
Hormonal imbalances
Exhaustion may result from issues with your endocrine system, which includes the glands that produce hormones in your body. Fatigue is frequently caused by hypothyroidism.
Other chronic conditions
Severe, persistent fatigue can be a symptom of some chronic conditions. These consist of:
- Cancer
- Myalgic encephalomyelitis, another name for chronic fatigue syndrome, is CFS
- Fibromyalgia
- Kidney disease
Deficiencies
Fatigue is frequently caused by anemia and other vitamin deficiencies (like those in vitamin D or vitamin B12). Fatigue can result from dehydration because the body requires a lot of fluids to function.
Eating disorders and weight problems
Fatigue and a variety of other symptoms can be caused by eating disorders and certain weight problems. These could consist of:
- Anorexia
- Bulimia
- Overweight or obesity
- Underweight
Treatment:
How can I manage my fatigue with the assistance of my healthcare provider? Your healthcare provider will inquire about your medications and lifestyle to determine the cause of your fatigue. Additionally, they will perform a physical examination. To check specific levels in your blood and urine, they may prescribe certain laboratory tests. A pregnancy test might also be ordered by your doctor.
Your provider will treat (or assist you in managing) the underlying condition or disorder to alleviate your fatigue. Your treatment plan may involve a mix of medication, exercise, or therapy, depending on your health. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of stopping your current medication or switching to a different one with your doctor if it causes you to feel tired.
How can I reduce or alleviate my fatigue at home?
If your fatigue isn't being caused by a medical condition, altering your lifestyle may help. To lessen weariness, you can:
- Adopt healthy sleeping practices: Try to get between seven and nine hours each night. Avoid using electronics, exercising, or consuming caffeine right before bed. Aim for a consistent bedtime and wake-up time each day.
- Avoid clear of drugs and alcohol: Don't use illegal drugs.
- Eat well: Your body will stay nourished and hydrated if you eat a balanced diet and drink lots of water.
- Manage stress: Regular exercise, yoga, mindfulness, and meditation can all help you feel less stressed and have more energy.
- Consult your physician: To rule out infections, diseases, illnesses, vitamin deficiencies, and other health conditions, schedule an appointment. To find out if your symptoms are being caused by your medications, you should also discuss them with your doctor.
- Work out frequently: A healthy lifestyle requires regular exercise. Once you get used to it, vigorous exercise can help you feel more energized, even though it may seem counterintuitive. However, excessive exercise can lead to exhaustion, so discuss with your healthcare provider what's best for you.
- Achieve and keep a healthy weight: Discuss your ideal weight with your healthcare provider and make try maintain it.
References:
- U.S. National Cancer Institute. Fatigue (PDQ®) - Patient Version (https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/fatigue/fatigue-pdq). Accessed 4/13/2023.
- American Cancer Society. Fatigue and Weakness (https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/fatigue.html). Accessed 4/13/2023.
- U.S. National Cancer Institute. Fatigue (PDQ®) - Patient Version (https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/fatigue/fatigue-pdq). Accessed 4/13/2023.
- U.S. National Institute on Aging. Fatigue in Older Adults (https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/fatigue-older-adults). Accessed 4/13/2023.
- U.K. National Health Service. Self-help tips to fight tiredness (https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sleep-and-tiredness/self-help-tips-to-fight-fatigue/). Accessed 4/13/2023.
- Merck Manual (Consumer Version). Fatigue (https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/special-subjects/nonspecific-symptoms/fatigue). Accessed 4/13/2023.
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