Fatigue Causes (2024)

FAQs

Fatigue Causes? ›

Usually, lifestyle factors are the cause. For example, fatigue may stem from lack of sleep, dietary choices, and too much or too little exercise. Other common causes of fatigue include medication side effects, depression, allergies, viral infections, pregnancy, or medical conditions.

Most of the time fatigue can be traced to one or more lifestyle issues, such as poor sleep habits or lack of exercise. Fatigue can be caused by a medicine or linked to depression. Sometimes fatigue is a symptom of an illness that needs treatment.

Fatigue can be a normal and important response to physical activity, emotional stress, boredom, or lack of sleep. Fatigue is a common symptom, and it is usually not due to a serious disease. But it can be a sign of a more serious mental or physical condition.

Red flags, which may point towards serious underlying pathology, include constitutional symptoms (unintentional loss of weight, loss of appetite, fever), recent onset in a previously well older patient, unexplained lymphadenopathy and abnormal bleeding.

A trigger is a stimulus that elicits a reaction. In the context of mental illness, "trigger" is often used to mean something that brings on or worsens symptoms. This often happens to people with a history of trauma or who are recovering from mental illness, self-harm, addiction, and/or eating disorders.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms

Symptoms of ME/CFS include major fatigue, worsening of symptoms with increases in activity (called post-exertional malaise), lightheadedness, poor short-term memory and concentration, and feeling unrested no matter how much sleep one has had.

The new onset with sudden and profound change in ability to do what one used to do can be an urgent or emergent condition. If the fatigue is associated with chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heart rate, or sense of imminent passing out, these are urgent conditions that warrant immediate medical attention.

What is the root cause of my fatigue? ›

To find out what's causing your fatigue, your healthcare provider will ask questions about your lifestyle and medications. They'll also conduct a physical examination. They might order some lab tests to check certain levels in your blood and urine. Your provider may also order a pregnancy test.

Menopause fatigue is often referred to as 'crushing'. It's a feeling of overwhelming, sudden 'crashing' tiredness, something akin to how we feel when we're coming down with a virus - a feeling of being drained, not being able to concentrate or keep your eyes open, and something that doesn't improve with sleep.

Even if you aren't meeting the criteria of sleep deprivation, missing out on quality sleep often enough can trigger excessive sleepiness during the day. Lifestyle factors that can contribute to insufficient sleep leading to EDS include: poor sleep hygiene (sleep routines, habits, and environment) sedentary lifestyle.

Fatigue is the most commonly encountered symptom in patients with liver disease, and it has a significant impact on their quality of life.

Common causes of tiredness and fatigue include: not getting enough sleep or finding it hard to get to sleep (insomnia) an unhealthy lifestyle (such as having an unhealthy diet and not getting much exercise) stress, depression and dealing with life challenges, such as bereavement or looking after a new baby.

People use these terms interchangeably, but tiredness usually refers to short-term lack of energy that gets better with rest or sleep. Fatigue, on the other hand, is more of a constant mental or physical exhaustion that impacts your work, social life, or ability to do everyday things.