Dr. Tariq Jagnarine
Family Medicine/Endocrinology
Fatigue is a term used to describe an overall feeling of tiredness or lack of energy. It isn’t the same as simply feeling tired or sleepy. When you’re fatigued, you have no motivation and no energy. Being sleepy may be a symptom of fatigue, but these two terms are not the same.
Fatigue is a common symptom of many medical conditions, and it ranges in severity from mild to serious. It’s also a natural result of some lifestyle choices, such as lack of exercise or poor diet.
If fatigue doesn’t get resolved with proper rest and nutrition, or if it is suspected to be caused by an underlying physical or mental health condition, see a doctor. Doctors can help diagnose the cause of fatigue, and work to treat it.
CAUSES OF FATIGUE
There are many potential causes of fatigue. They can be divided into three general categories:
• Lifestyle factors
• Physical health conditions
• Mental health issues
• Lifestyle factors
For example, fatigue can result from:
• Physical exertion
• Lack of physical activity
• Lack of sleep
• Being overweight or obese
• Periods of emotional stress
• Boredom
• Grief
• Taking certain medications, such as antidepressants or sedatives
• Using alcohol regularly
• Using illicit drugs, such as cocaine
• Consuming too much caffeine
• Not eating a nutritious diet
• Physical health conditions
Many medical conditions can also cause fatigue. Examples include:
• Anemia
• Arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Infections, such as cold and flu
• Addison’s disease, a disorder that can affect your hormone levels
• Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid
• Hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid
• Sleep disorders, such as insomnia
• Eating disorders, such as anorexia
• Autoimmune disorders
• Congestive heart failure
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Emphysema
Mental health issues
Mental health conditions can also lead to fatigue. For example, fatigue is a common symptom of anxiety, depression, and seasonal affective disorder.
See a doctor if:
• You can’t think of anything that might account for your fatigue
• Have a higher-than-normal body temperature
• Have experienced unexplained weight loss
• Feel very sensitive to colder temperatures
• Regularly have trouble falling or staying asleep
• Depressed
If efforts have been made to address the most common lifestyle causes — such as lack of rest, poor eating habits, and stress — without success, and the fatigue has continued for two weeks or more, make an appointment with a doctor.
In some cases, fatigue might be caused by a serious medical condition. Go to the hospital immediately if you are experiencing fatigue along with any of the following symptoms:
• Rectal bleeding
• Vomiting blood
• Severe headache
• Pain in your chest area
• Feelings of faintness
• Irregular heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Severe pain in the abdominal, back, or pelvic region
• Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
• Thoughts of harming another person
