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URLhttps://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/tiredness-causes/
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Meta Title7 Reasons Why You're Always Tired and How to Fight It
Meta DescriptionTired all the time? It’s not a natural result of aging. Why you might be lagging — from medications to sleep disorders — and how to treat the causes.
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Getty Images Burnt out and constantly depleted of energy? It’s not a good feeling, but know that you’re not alone. Research suggests that fatigue (or anergia, in medical lingo) runs as high as 50 percent in people 65 and older, compared with rates in the general population that range from 10 to 25 percent. It’s even more prevalent among adults living with health conditions that become more common with age, such as heart disease. As many as 74 percent of older adults with a chronic illness experience fatigue, a review of studies published in 2021 suggests.   Yet “fatigue is not a natural consequence of aging,” says Barbara Resnick, codirector of the Biology and Behavior Across the Lifespan Organized Research Center at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. “It’s more related to the changes that occur due to age and commonly associated diseases.” Fatigue is common when you’re fighting any kind of illness — from infections, like flu or COVID-19 , to autoimmune disorders. It’s also a side effect of some treatments, such as chemotherapy. Beyond that, “all of us feel tired some of the time,” says Suzanne Salamon, M.D., assistant professor of geriatric medicine and primary care at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. “Usually, it goes away, either with sleep or time.” But if unexplained fatigue continues for more than a few weeks, it’s time to figure out what’s causing it. Here are some of the likely suspects (keep in mind, though, that more than one culprit may be responsible). 1. Your medications are sapping your energy “Older adults take a lot of medications , and a lot of those medications tend to make people feel tired,” says Brenda Windemuth, director of the Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. Chief among these: certain antidepressants, antianxiety drugs, sedatives, antihistamines, steroids, and blood pressure and cholesterol medications. Antipsychotics, pain meds, seizure drugs and chemotherapy also stir up trouble. Others, like diuretics, contribute to exhaustion by disturbing your sleep .  “Not all drugs cause the same effects in all people,” Salamon says. “If a person has started a new medicine and they notice fatigue, they should report this to the doctor. Sometimes just moving the drug to the evening or lowering the dose can help, but sometimes you need to change to a different medicine.” She recommends always bringing all your medicines — prescription and over-the-counter — to your office visits so your doctor can check doses and duplicates. 2. Your sleep hygiene may need improvement  Many of us simply aren’t getting enough slumber — more than one-third of adults, to be exact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.   Poor sleep habits  are often to blame. If you’re lying in bed and can’t fall asleep, Resnick advises, get up and do something until you feel tired, and then go back and try again. “The other really big mistake people make is that they expect to lie around all day and then be able to sleep at night,” she says. “You only want to spend time in bed when it’s sleep time. Some people like to control the world from their bed.” Other advice: Maintain a regular sleep pattern, and avoid alcohol at night. Consider keeping a sleep diary to help you identify factors — foods, drinks, medicines — that may be keeping you from solid slumber. Keep in mind that as you get older you may not require the seven to nine hours you used to, Windemuth says. Obstructive sleep apnea is another culprit. Patients experience as many as 30 awakenings an hour when the soft tissues of the throat relax and obstruct the airway during sleep; as a result, they feel exhausted the next day. Loud snoring is a clue. Spending the night in a sleep lab can confirm the diagnosis. The standard treatment, a continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) machine, involves wearing a mask over the nose to force air into the throat and keep the airways open. 3. You’re missing key nutrients People over 50 are more likely to experience nutrient deficiencies — especially vitamins B12 and D, iron and folic acid — that cause fatigue. If your doctor suspects a deficiency, they’ll send you for a blood test, and you may need a supplement .  4. You’re anemic This means that your blood has too few red cells or those cells have too little hemoglobin, which transports oxygen through the bloodstream. The result: fatigue. A simple blood test provides a diagnosis, after which your physician will investigate possible reasons for the anemia and may put you on iron pills.  There are three main reasons older adults become anemic. Kidney disease is one. If your kidneys are not working properly, they may not be able to help your body make the red blood cells it needs. “It can also be due to blood loss from somewhere, usually along the gastrointestinal tract,” Resnick says, “or it’s in the bone marrow, which could be due to a malignancy.” 5. You have a heart or pulmonary problem Cardiac issues — including heart failure, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) — are among the most common causes of fatigue in older people. Heart disease can cause the heart to pump blood less efficiently and fluid to build up in the lungs. This, in turn, results in shortness of breath and less oxygen supply to the heart and lungs. So be sure to follow doctor’s orders when it comes to treatment. 6. You’re anxious or depressed “Depression, being alone and other psychosocial issues are a huge factor in older people,” Windemuth says. “People are losing friends and spouses. They’re being uprooted from their homes or going into assisted living. That can lead to fatigue.” Antidepressant medications are sometimes the answer. “We also encourage people to go out, become more involved and find things that they really enjoy doing,” Windemuth adds. Paradoxically,  exercise can make a huge difference . “The best thing for fatigue is physical activity — no matter what the underlying problem,” Resnick says. “The goal should be 30 minutes daily of moderate-level activity.” 7. COVID could be the culprit When COVID-19 symptoms linger long after a person’s initial illness, fatigue is the most common complaint. “Estimates of the prevalence are variable but some sources suggest that more than 50 percent of all COVID survivors are affected by persistent fatigue,” says John Baratta, M.D., founder and codirector of the UNC COVID Recovery Clinic at UNC Health in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. “In our long COVID clinic, over 90 percent are troubled by this symptom.” Before treating the fatigue, doctors first investigate other potential factors that may be contributing to extreme tiredness, such as sleep apnea, depression and chronic pain, says Benjamin Abramoff, M.D., head of the Post-COVID Assessment and Recovery Clinic at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia. Then you may be prescribed physical therapy or a graded exercise program, where the duration and intensity of activity are gradually increased. Both can improve stamina, but it’s important to pace yourself to avoid exacerbating symptoms or risking relapse, Baratta says. “We have also found benefits from certain medications, such as antidepressants and stimulants, in certain situations,” Baratta adds. These include certain antidepressants in the SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) class and stimulants like those used to treat attention deficit disorder. If you’re suffering from fatigue related to long COVID, ask your doctor about such strategies or consider making an appointment at a post-COVID clinic. These programs typically take a multidisciplinary approach to treating the disease’s lasting symptoms, fatigue included. Editor’s note: This story, first published June 23, 2020, has been updated to reflect new information. Beth Howard is a North Carolina–based health and lifestyle writer. She has written for dozens of publications, including U.S. News & World Report, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Prevention, Better Homes & Gardens and Reader’s Digest.
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[Continue](https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/tiredness-causes/) [Cancel](https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/tiredness-causes/) [Health](https://www.aarp.org/health/) # 7 Reasons You’re Always Tired ## What could be causing your fatigue — and how to fight it *** By Beth Howard, Updated August 14, 2023 AARP 107 Comments [En español](https://www.aarp.org/espanol/salud/enfermedades-y-tratamientos/info-2020/causas-del-cansancio.html) Published June 23, 2020 / Updated August 14, 2023 ![](https://cdn.aarp.net/etc/uxdia/images/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![tired low energy woman hunched over with a battery in her back plugged into a wall outlet](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/health/conditions-treatments/tiredness-causes/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/container_image/articlecontentfragment/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/health/conditions_treatments/2023/08/1140-running-low-on-energy.jpg) Getty Images - [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/tiredness-causes/) - [Twitter](http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/tiredness-causes/&related=CreateTheGood&text=) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/tiredness-causes/&title=) Burnt out and constantly depleted of energy? It’s not a good feeling, but know that you’re not alone. Research suggests that fatigue (or anergia, in medical lingo) runs as high as 50 percent in people 65 and older, compared with rates in the general population that range from 10 to 25 percent. It’s even more prevalent among adults living with health conditions that become more common with age, such as heart disease. As many as 74 percent of older adults with a chronic illness experience fatigue, [a review of studies](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7935454/ "read the research on chronic illness causing fatigue") published in 2021 suggests. [aarp/aarp-foundation/experience-corps,taxonomy:giving-back/volunteering]() [Help Children Learn to Read Make a meaningful difference and tutor K-3 students to become stronger readers. Volunteer with AARP Foundation Experience Corps and learn new skills.](https://www.aarp.org/experience-corps/) Members only Yet “fatigue is not a natural consequence of aging,” says Barbara Resnick, codirector of the Biology and Behavior Across the Lifespan Organized Research Center at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. “It’s more related to the changes that occur due to age and commonly associated diseases.” Fatigue is common when you’re fighting any kind of illness — from infections, like [flu or COVID-19](https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/tripledemic-flu-rsv-covid-vaccines/ "learn about vaccines to avoid the tripledemic"), to autoimmune disorders. It’s also a side effect of some treatments, such as chemotherapy. Beyond that, “all of us feel tired some of the time,” says Suzanne Salamon, M.D., assistant professor of geriatric medicine and primary care at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. “Usually, it goes away, either with sleep or time.” But if unexplained fatigue continues for more than a few weeks, it’s time to figure out what’s causing it. Here are some of the likely suspects (keep in mind, though, that more than one culprit may be responsible). ### 1\. Your medications are sapping your energy “Older adults take [a lot of medications](https://www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/medication-overload/ "know the signs of medication overload"), and a lot of those medications tend to make people feel tired,” says Brenda Windemuth, director of the Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. Chief among these: certain antidepressants, antianxiety drugs, sedatives, antihistamines, steroids, and blood pressure and cholesterol medications. Antipsychotics, pain meds, seizure drugs and chemotherapy also stir up trouble. Others, like diuretics, contribute to exhaustion by [disturbing your sleep](https://www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/medications-that-can-cause-insomnia/ "medications that can cause insomnia"). “Not all drugs cause the same effects in all people,” Salamon says. “If a person has started a new medicine and they notice fatigue, they should report this to the doctor. Sometimes just moving the drug to the evening or lowering the dose can help, but sometimes you need to change to a different medicine.” She recommends always bringing all your medicines — prescription and over-the-counter — to your office visits so your doctor can check doses and duplicates. ![](https://cdn.aarp.net/etc/uxdia/images/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![newsletter-naw-tablet](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/experience-fragments/uxdia-folder-structure/en/next-action-widgets/newsletter_naw/Newsletter_NAW/health/_jcr_content/root/responsivegrid/container_copy/articleimage.coreimg.75.1140.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/QA_bucket/widgetimages/newsletter_NAW_tablet.jpg) AARP NEWSLETTERS ![](https://cdn.aarp.net/etc/uxdia/images/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![Mujer leyendo tableta](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/experience-fragments/uxdia-folder-structure/en/next-action-widgets/newsletter_naw/Newsletter_NAW/health/_jcr_content/root/responsivegrid/container_copy/container/container/articleimage.coreimg.75.1140.png/content/dam/aarp/QA_bucket/widgetimages/newsletter_NAW_desktop.png) Get the Your Health newsletter from AARP **Sign up for the latest health news, fitness and nutrition updates and more\!** [See All Newsletters](https://www.aarp.org/newsletters/) [Privacy Hub](https://www.aarp.org/privacy/ "privacy hub link") ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER ADVERTISEMENT ### 2\. Your sleep hygiene may need improvement Many of us simply aren’t getting [enough slumber](https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/sleep-hygiene/ "better sleep hygiene tips") — more than one-third of adults, to be exact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Poor [sleep habits](https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/how-to-sleep-through-the-night/ "strategies to help you sleep through the night") are often to blame. If you’re lying in bed and can’t fall asleep, Resnick advises, get up and do something until you feel tired, and then go back and try again. “The other really big mistake people make is that they expect to lie around all day and then be able to sleep at night,” she says. “You only want to spend time in bed when it’s sleep time. Some people like to control the world from their bed.” [Magazines & Resources]() [AARP Rewards Learn, earn and redeem points for rewards with our free loyalty program](https://www.aarp.org/membership/benefits/magazines/aarp-rewards/) Members only Other advice: Maintain a regular sleep pattern, and avoid alcohol at night. Consider keeping a sleep diary to help you identify factors — foods, drinks, medicines — that may be keeping you from solid slumber. Keep in mind that as you get older you may not require the seven to nine hours you used to, Windemuth says. Obstructive sleep apnea is another culprit. Patients experience as many as 30 awakenings an hour when the soft tissues of the throat relax and obstruct the airway during sleep; as a result, they feel exhausted the next day. [Loud snoring](https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/causes-of-snoring/ "common causes of snoring and what to do") is a clue. Spending the night in a sleep lab can confirm the diagnosis. The standard treatment, a continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) machine, involves wearing a mask over the nose to force air into the throat and keep the airways open. ### 3\. You’re missing key nutrients People over 50 are more likely to experience [nutrient deficiencies](https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/nutrient-vitamin-deficiency-symptoms/ "common nutrient and vitamin deficiency symptoms") — especially vitamins B12 and D, iron and folic acid — that cause fatigue. If your doctor suspects a deficiency, they’ll send you for a blood test, and you [may need a supplement](https://www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/supplements-after-50/ "supplements you may need after 50"). ### 4\. You’re anemic This means that your blood has too few red cells or those cells have too little hemoglobin, which transports oxygen through the bloodstream. The result: fatigue. A simple blood test provides a diagnosis, after which your physician will investigate possible reasons for the anemia and may put you on iron pills. There are three main reasons older adults become anemic. Kidney disease is one. If your kidneys are not working properly, they may not be able to help your body make the red blood cells it needs. “It can also be due to blood loss from somewhere, usually along the gastrointestinal tract,” Resnick says, “or it’s in the bone marrow, which could be due to a malignancy.” ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER ADVERTISEMENT ### 5\. You have a heart or pulmonary problem Cardiac issues — including heart failure, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, asthma and [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease](https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/copd-and-other-lung-disease-warning-signs/ "symptoms of COPD and other lung diseases") (COPD) — are among the most common causes of fatigue in older people. [Heart disease](https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/sneaky-signs-heart-disease/ "sneaky signs of heart disease") can cause the heart to pump blood less efficiently and fluid to build up in the lungs. This, in turn, results in shortness of breath and less oxygen supply to the heart and lungs. So be sure to follow doctor’s orders when it comes to treatment. ### 6\. You’re anxious or depressed “Depression, [being alone](https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/diseases-linked-to-loneliness/ "diseases linked to loneliness") and other psychosocial issues are a huge factor in older people,” Windemuth says. “People are losing friends and spouses. They’re being uprooted from their homes or going into assisted living. That can lead to fatigue.” Antidepressant medications are sometimes the answer. “We also encourage people to go out, become more involved and find things that they really enjoy doing,” Windemuth adds. Paradoxically, [exercise can make a huge difference](https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/exercise-and-mental-health/ "the link between exercise and better mental health"). “The best thing for fatigue is physical activity — no matter what the underlying problem,” Resnick says. “The goal should be 30 minutes daily of moderate-level activity.” ### 7\. COVID could be the culprit When COVID-19 symptoms linger long after a person’s initial illness, fatigue is the most common complaint. “Estimates of the prevalence are variable but some sources suggest that more than 50 percent of all COVID survivors are affected by persistent fatigue,” says John Baratta, M.D., founder and codirector of the UNC COVID Recovery Clinic at UNC Health in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. “In our [long COVID](https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/long-covid-symptoms/ "common symptoms of long COVID") clinic, over 90 percent are troubled by this symptom.” Before treating the fatigue, doctors first investigate other potential factors that may be contributing to extreme tiredness, such as sleep apnea, depression and chronic pain, says Benjamin Abramoff, M.D., head of the Post-COVID Assessment and Recovery Clinic at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia. Then you may be prescribed physical therapy or a graded exercise program, where the duration and intensity of activity are gradually increased. Both can improve stamina, but it’s important to pace yourself to avoid exacerbating symptoms or risking relapse, Baratta says. “We have also found benefits from certain medications, such as antidepressants and stimulants, in certain situations,” Baratta adds. These include certain antidepressants in the SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) class and stimulants like those used to treat attention deficit disorder. If you’re suffering from fatigue related to long COVID, ask your doctor about such strategies or consider making an appointment at a post-COVID clinic. These programs typically take a multidisciplinary approach to treating the disease’s lasting symptoms, fatigue included. *Editor’s note: This story, first published June 23, 2020, has been updated to reflect new information.* [%{postComment}%](https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/tiredness-causes/#comments_widget_id) *Beth Howard is a North Carolina–based health and lifestyle writer. She has written for dozens of publications, including* U.S. News & World Report, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Prevention, Better Homes & Gardens *and* Reader’s Digest. Unlock Access to AARP Members Edition [Join AARP to Continue](https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignID=UBJFMOA23&intcmp=MEM-ONLY-ACCESS) Already a Member? 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Conversation Follow this conversation to be notified when new comments are postedfollow Log in \| Register ![Jump to log in or sign Up](https://cdn.viafoura.net/assets/defaultavatar.913f94a2fa72a280b0374131f1c9b175.png) All Comments107 NEWEST **0** ### All Comments 1. #### Comment by AARPStacyP. AA AARPStacyP M July 27, 2022 pinned What is your first course of action when you feel unusually fatigued? reply 7 replies 15 share 5 5 older replies show older replies 1. #### Comment by TT303743. TT TT303743 January 18, 2024 Primary Progressive MS. It’s a ruthless disease reply 1 share report 0 0 older replies show older replies 2. #### Comment by comquest. co comquest December 13, 2023 I have sleep apnea and sleep well for about 7 hours with a modern CPAP machine. However, I am exhausted from the minute I get up until bedtime. What could be happening? reply 12 share report 0 0 older replies show older replies 3. #### Comment by n13412w. n1 n13412w August 29, 2023 You forgot hypothyroidism, which is becoming commonplace. I've been anemic off and on all my life until menopause, but before being diagnosed with low thyroid, that's the most tired I've ever been. I had more symptoms than I could count. Then after several years, found out that I actually had Hashimoto's, which is also becoming somewhat commonplace. My original doctor(s)never fully tested me so they did not address the antibodies, and that is also becoming commonplace. UGH\! reply 1 reply 4 share report 0 0 older replies show older replies - #### Reply by CherD156873. Ch CherD156873 November 30, 2023 Reply to n13412w For a minute there I thought I wrote this but mine was Graves disease (hyperthyroid). I had every symptom since I was a teenager and finally a nurse diagnosed me at 32 years old. Dr's would just look at me when I described my symptoms because my regular blood work was literally perfect. They said "You just don't see these kinds of numbers these days" and would completely ignore what I was saying. Thyroid tests (TSH) are not included in regular checkups and blood work. When I changed doctors their nurse figured it out during my sinus infection appt. My heart rate was so high at that visit they wouldn't let me leave the office until it was under control with meds my symptoms got so bad. Same with Lupus. I was still constantly exhausted and always in pain but they just kept saying the TSH numbers were good and reg. blood work was excellent. I finally got diagnosed in my late 50's with Lupus only because spouse came with me and demanded they do more to help me. He actually raised his voice and he's very laid back normally. Of course the damage is already done at that age and there is no way to reverse it. Isn't healthcare in the USA just fantastic? Esp. the way they ignore patient's medical problems and esp. when you are a female. Read more reply 4 share report 4. #### Comment by 2Papa. 2P 2Papa August 27, 2023 My first course of action when I feel unusually fatigued is to take a nap\! reply 13 share report 0 0 older replies show older replies Load more comments Powered by { "articlePagePath" :"/content/aarpe/en/home/health/conditions-treatments/tiredness-causes", "aarpId" : "8f673fdc63d42c38b3976445d89999ce" "customContainerId" : "" "limit" : "5" "paginationLimit" : "5" "replyLimit" : "2" "paginationReplyLimit" : "5" "sort" : "" "featuredTabActiveThreshold" : "5" } Benefits Recommended For You [See All](https://www.aarp.org/membership/benefits/all-offers-a-z/ "See All") [![](https://cdn.aarp.net/etc/uxdia/images/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![](https://aarp.widen.net/content/qpzhd8kdfq/jpeg/DBR_AARPRewards_03182026.jpg?anchor=0%2C0&q=80&color=ffffffff&u=w1npqh) Members only Magazines & Resources AARP Rewards Learn, earn and redeem points for rewards with our free loyalty program](https://www.aarp.org/membership/benefits/magazines/aarp-rewards/) [![](https://cdn.aarp.net/etc/uxdia/images/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![grandfather wearing sunglasses and plaid shirt with hat on and grandson riding in an orange with the number 9 on it go-cart smiling](https://aarp.widen.net/content/yxaibfjzzv/jpeg/1140x641-grandfather-grandson-go-cart-smiling.jpeg?position=c&color=ffffffff&quality=99&u=qgu0ow) Members only Entertainment Theme Park & Attraction Discounts Coupons & offers for golf, movies, theme parks and more activities](https://www.aarp.org/membership/benefits/entertainment/even-more-entertainment-discounts/) [![](https://cdn.aarp.net/etc/uxdia/images/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![red background, fingerprint made into a human head, the perfect scam in white lettering on black background](https://aarp.widen.net/content/79scmujlpo/jpeg/1140x655-perfect-scam-podcast-head-silhouette-red-background.jpeg?position=c&color=ffffffff&quality=99&u=qgu0ow) Members only Work & Finances The Perfect Scam℠ Podcast Profiling America's biggest scam stories](https://www.aarp.org/membership/benefits/finance/perfect-scam-podcast/) [![](https://cdn.aarp.net/etc/uxdia/images/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![Man with grey beard and red hat celebrating in the stands at a soccer game he bought tickets for on FEVO](https://aarp.widen.net/content/nmrtesoodf/png/DBR_FEVOCourtesy_04172025.png?anchor=0%2C0&color=ffffffff&u=w1npqh) Members only Entertainment Sports and Live Event Tickets by FEVO 15% off tickets for select live events and Major and Minor League events](https://www.aarp.org/membership/benefits/entertainment/fevo/) [See All](https://www.aarp.org/membership/benefits/all-offers-a-z/ "See All") [HOT DEALS](https://www.aarp.org/membership/benefits/hot-deals/ "See All Hot Deals") SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS [See All Hot Deals](https://www.aarp.org/membership/benefits/hot-deals/ "See All Hot Deals") AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. 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![](https://cdn.aarp.net/etc/uxdia/images/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![tired low energy woman hunched over with a battery in her back plugged into a wall outlet](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/health/conditions-treatments/tiredness-causes/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/container_image/articlecontentfragment/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/health/conditions_treatments/2023/08/1140-running-low-on-energy.jpg) Getty Images Burnt out and constantly depleted of energy? It’s not a good feeling, but know that you’re not alone. Research suggests that fatigue (or anergia, in medical lingo) runs as high as 50 percent in people 65 and older, compared with rates in the general population that range from 10 to 25 percent. It’s even more prevalent among adults living with health conditions that become more common with age, such as heart disease. As many as 74 percent of older adults with a chronic illness experience fatigue, [a review of studies](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7935454/ "read the research on chronic illness causing fatigue") published in 2021 suggests. Yet “fatigue is not a natural consequence of aging,” says Barbara Resnick, codirector of the Biology and Behavior Across the Lifespan Organized Research Center at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. “It’s more related to the changes that occur due to age and commonly associated diseases.” Fatigue is common when you’re fighting any kind of illness — from infections, like [flu or COVID-19](https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/tripledemic-flu-rsv-covid-vaccines/ "learn about vaccines to avoid the tripledemic"), to autoimmune disorders. It’s also a side effect of some treatments, such as chemotherapy. Beyond that, “all of us feel tired some of the time,” says Suzanne Salamon, M.D., assistant professor of geriatric medicine and primary care at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. “Usually, it goes away, either with sleep or time.” But if unexplained fatigue continues for more than a few weeks, it’s time to figure out what’s causing it. Here are some of the likely suspects (keep in mind, though, that more than one culprit may be responsible). ### 1\. Your medications are sapping your energy “Older adults take [a lot of medications](https://www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/medication-overload/ "know the signs of medication overload"), and a lot of those medications tend to make people feel tired,” says Brenda Windemuth, director of the Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. Chief among these: certain antidepressants, antianxiety drugs, sedatives, antihistamines, steroids, and blood pressure and cholesterol medications. Antipsychotics, pain meds, seizure drugs and chemotherapy also stir up trouble. Others, like diuretics, contribute to exhaustion by [disturbing your sleep](https://www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/medications-that-can-cause-insomnia/ "medications that can cause insomnia"). “Not all drugs cause the same effects in all people,” Salamon says. “If a person has started a new medicine and they notice fatigue, they should report this to the doctor. Sometimes just moving the drug to the evening or lowering the dose can help, but sometimes you need to change to a different medicine.” She recommends always bringing all your medicines — prescription and over-the-counter — to your office visits so your doctor can check doses and duplicates. ### 2\. Your sleep hygiene may need improvement Many of us simply aren’t getting [enough slumber](https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/sleep-hygiene/ "better sleep hygiene tips") — more than one-third of adults, to be exact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Poor [sleep habits](https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/how-to-sleep-through-the-night/ "strategies to help you sleep through the night") are often to blame. If you’re lying in bed and can’t fall asleep, Resnick advises, get up and do something until you feel tired, and then go back and try again. “The other really big mistake people make is that they expect to lie around all day and then be able to sleep at night,” she says. “You only want to spend time in bed when it’s sleep time. Some people like to control the world from their bed.” Other advice: Maintain a regular sleep pattern, and avoid alcohol at night. Consider keeping a sleep diary to help you identify factors — foods, drinks, medicines — that may be keeping you from solid slumber. Keep in mind that as you get older you may not require the seven to nine hours you used to, Windemuth says. Obstructive sleep apnea is another culprit. Patients experience as many as 30 awakenings an hour when the soft tissues of the throat relax and obstruct the airway during sleep; as a result, they feel exhausted the next day. [Loud snoring](https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/causes-of-snoring/ "common causes of snoring and what to do") is a clue. Spending the night in a sleep lab can confirm the diagnosis. The standard treatment, a continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) machine, involves wearing a mask over the nose to force air into the throat and keep the airways open. ### 3\. You’re missing key nutrients People over 50 are more likely to experience [nutrient deficiencies](https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/nutrient-vitamin-deficiency-symptoms/ "common nutrient and vitamin deficiency symptoms") — especially vitamins B12 and D, iron and folic acid — that cause fatigue. If your doctor suspects a deficiency, they’ll send you for a blood test, and you [may need a supplement](https://www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/supplements-after-50/ "supplements you may need after 50"). ### 4\. You’re anemic This means that your blood has too few red cells or those cells have too little hemoglobin, which transports oxygen through the bloodstream. The result: fatigue. A simple blood test provides a diagnosis, after which your physician will investigate possible reasons for the anemia and may put you on iron pills. There are three main reasons older adults become anemic. Kidney disease is one. If your kidneys are not working properly, they may not be able to help your body make the red blood cells it needs. “It can also be due to blood loss from somewhere, usually along the gastrointestinal tract,” Resnick says, “or it’s in the bone marrow, which could be due to a malignancy.” ### 5\. You have a heart or pulmonary problem Cardiac issues — including heart failure, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, asthma and [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease](https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/copd-and-other-lung-disease-warning-signs/ "symptoms of COPD and other lung diseases") (COPD) — are among the most common causes of fatigue in older people. [Heart disease](https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/sneaky-signs-heart-disease/ "sneaky signs of heart disease") can cause the heart to pump blood less efficiently and fluid to build up in the lungs. This, in turn, results in shortness of breath and less oxygen supply to the heart and lungs. So be sure to follow doctor’s orders when it comes to treatment. ### 6\. You’re anxious or depressed “Depression, [being alone](https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/diseases-linked-to-loneliness/ "diseases linked to loneliness") and other psychosocial issues are a huge factor in older people,” Windemuth says. “People are losing friends and spouses. They’re being uprooted from their homes or going into assisted living. That can lead to fatigue.” Antidepressant medications are sometimes the answer. “We also encourage people to go out, become more involved and find things that they really enjoy doing,” Windemuth adds. Paradoxically, [exercise can make a huge difference](https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/exercise-and-mental-health/ "the link between exercise and better mental health"). “The best thing for fatigue is physical activity — no matter what the underlying problem,” Resnick says. “The goal should be 30 minutes daily of moderate-level activity.” ### 7\. COVID could be the culprit When COVID-19 symptoms linger long after a person’s initial illness, fatigue is the most common complaint. “Estimates of the prevalence are variable but some sources suggest that more than 50 percent of all COVID survivors are affected by persistent fatigue,” says John Baratta, M.D., founder and codirector of the UNC COVID Recovery Clinic at UNC Health in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. “In our [long COVID](https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/long-covid-symptoms/ "common symptoms of long COVID") clinic, over 90 percent are troubled by this symptom.” Before treating the fatigue, doctors first investigate other potential factors that may be contributing to extreme tiredness, such as sleep apnea, depression and chronic pain, says Benjamin Abramoff, M.D., head of the Post-COVID Assessment and Recovery Clinic at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia. Then you may be prescribed physical therapy or a graded exercise program, where the duration and intensity of activity are gradually increased. Both can improve stamina, but it’s important to pace yourself to avoid exacerbating symptoms or risking relapse, Baratta says. “We have also found benefits from certain medications, such as antidepressants and stimulants, in certain situations,” Baratta adds. These include certain antidepressants in the SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) class and stimulants like those used to treat attention deficit disorder. If you’re suffering from fatigue related to long COVID, ask your doctor about such strategies or consider making an appointment at a post-COVID clinic. These programs typically take a multidisciplinary approach to treating the disease’s lasting symptoms, fatigue included. *Editor’s note: This story, first published June 23, 2020, has been updated to reflect new information.* *Beth Howard is a North Carolina–based health and lifestyle writer. She has written for dozens of publications, including* U.S. News & World Report, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Prevention, Better Homes & Gardens *and* Reader’s Digest.
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